Former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has a sizable lead over possible Democratic rivals in the early primary state of New Hampshire in a new poll, as she takes steps toward a possible 2016 run for president.
Mrs. Clinton is the first choice of 56 percent of likely 2016 Democratic primary voters, followed by Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts at 15 percent and Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. and Sen. Bernie Sanders, Vermont Independent, at 8 percent apiece.
Some have been calling on Ms. Warren to enter the race as an alternative to Mrs. Clinton, and The New York Times reported that leaders of New York’s Working Families Party on Sunday formally encouraged Mrs. Warren to enter the race.
But Ms. Warren has rejected the entreaties and has said she is not running.
Mrs. Clinton is actually viewed more favorably among Democratic primary voters than is Ms. Warren in the poll. Eighty-nine percent have a favorable view of Mrs. Clinton, compared to 9 percent who have an unfavorable one.
Sixty-four percent have a favorable view of Ms. Warren, compared to 14 percent who view her unfavorably.
The Bloomberg Politics/Saint Anselm College poll, conducted Jan. 31-Feb. 5 by Purple Strategies, includes a sample of 400 Democratic primary voters that carries a margin of error of plus or minus 4.9 percent points.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.