Democratic voters want a campaign not a coronation. A new poll from the MoveOn.Org and YouGov reveals that 82 percent of likely Iowa caucus goers and 75 percent of likely New Hampshire primary voters want Sen. Elizabeth Warren to run for president in 2016. The Massachusetts Democrat has already said she’s not particularly interested, but that has not deterred her devoted fan base from asking her to take on Hillary Clinton, long deemed the dominant favorite by pollsters and pundits alike.
“Virtually all likely primary voters and caucus goers indicate support for a contested race, with 98 percent agreeing that a competitive primary is good for the party, candidates and voters,” the new poll states. “When they are informed about Warren’s biography and issue positions, 79 percent of respondents say they would like her to run for president.
She leads Mrs. Clinton, and everyone else. “Elizabeth Warren leads all other potential candidates for the nomination in both states: 31 percent to 24 percent over Hillary Clinton in Iowa (with other potential candidates further behind) - and 30 percent to 27 percent in New Hampshire,” the results say.
The lawmaker’s progressive, populist views are the charm. The respondents also liked Mrs. Warren’s take on such issues as standing up to Wall Street and alleviating the burden of student loan debt, finding near-unanimous support from respondents. That dovetails nicely with Mrs. Warren’s ardent supporters.
“When likely primary voters and caucus goers in Iowa and New Hampshire learn about how Elizabeth Warren fights for working and middle class families and stands up to Wall Street and powerful interests, they want her to run for president,” says Anna Galland, executive director of MoveOn.org Civic Action.
“These poll results prove that Senator Warren, should she decide to enter the 2016 presidential race, would be a clear favorite with voters on the critical, income inequality issues that will define the election,” adds Charles Chamberlain, executive director of Democracy for America.
The survey of 800 voters in Iowa and New Hampshire was conducted Jan. 30 - Feb. 5.
• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.
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