Poll: Clinton, Christie fare best in possible 2016 showdowns
Washington (CNN) - Hillary Clinton vs. Chris Christie.
It's an intriguing 2016 presidential showdown.
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And according to a new national poll, Clinton would come out on top in such a hypothetical matchup.
That's one of the findings from a survey released Thursday from Quinnipiac University, which asked American voters about nine possible general election matchups in the next race for the White House.
According to the poll, the former first lady, Democratic senator from New York and secretary of state, leads the Republican New Jersey governor 45%-37%. The survey also indicates Clinton would top Republican Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida 50%-34% and would beat Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, the House budget committee chairman and last year's GOP vice presidential nominee, 50%-38%.
"Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton would start a 2016 presidential campaign with enormous advantages," says Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "She obviously is by far the best known and her more than 20 years in the public spotlight allows her to create a very favorable impression on the American people. But it is worth noting that she had very good poll numbers in 2006 looking toward the 2008 election, before she faced a relative unknown in Barack Obama."
If Vice President Joe Biden became the 2016 Democratic presidential nominee, the poll suggests closer general election contests.
Biden would trail Christie 43%-40% and would top Ryan 45%-42%. The three point margins in both matchups are within the survey's sampling error. According to the poll, the vice president would lead Rubio 45%-38%.
According to the poll, Christie would lead New York Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo 45%-28%, with Ryan ahead of Cuomo 42%-37% and Cuomo and Rubio deadlocked at 37%.
"Although some Republicans don't think New Jersey Gov. Christopher Christie is conservative enough for their taste, he runs best of the three Republicans tested and would defeat two of the top Democrats," adds Brown.
One caveat with such polling is that the next presidential election is still three and a half years away, and surveys this early in a campaign cycle are often heavily influenced by name recognition.
The Quinnipiac University poll was conducted February 27-March 4, with 1,944 registered voters nationwide questioned by telephone. The survey's overall sampling error is plus or minus 2.2 percentage points.
- CNN Political Editor Paul Steinhauser contributed to this story.
I think Gov. Christie would make a good President,if given the chance. Just saying.
Clinton by a bigger landslide than 2012.
Christie is perfect to lead a satate like NJ. He is too rough, sarcastic, and patronizing to be the leader of the free world. He is right where he needs to be.
As I think Hillary Clinton might attest, being declared the early frontrunner isn't a good position. Recall it was supposed to be Hillary vs. Rudy Giuliani in 2008. Neither got the nomination. The 2016 election is still a long, long time from now. Lots of things can happen.
@David and other Christie supporter: He'll be lucky to be alive in 2016; the man is a heart attack waiting to happen.
@yolanda: "@Marie MD...thank you so much for your mature and thoughtful post. It is people such as you who insist on keeping everything in the gutter, but offer nothing constructive. Again, thanks so much for your valuable contribution."
Marie relayed the FACT that right before Hurrican Sandy Christie claimed that the President couldn't find the lightswitch (google it). She also relayed the FACT that Christie campaigned for Mittens.
Not Marie's problem you can't handle being reminded of unpleasant FACTS.
Neither. I would probably pick christie over clinton becuase he has had less of a chance to mess things up (benghazi among others) But I will likely vote for the libertarian candidate either way.
I had hoped to support Hillary in 2016 but at this writing, I won't after seeing 5 of my colleague's lose their jobs due to sequester. Not entirely Obama's fault, but its obvious he sacrificed Federal employees, because the backlash from the public would be minimal. I've contributed funds time and time again to Obama/Dem party over the last 6 years, I won't give them a dime at this juncture. I would support repealing the Affordable Care Act if that will prevent more cuts.
Now lets get real, Obama will endorse Biden to spite both Hillary and Bill. Biden will be the Dems nominee and will lose to anyone the Republicans put up. Next question.
Oh, my. GOPers and GOPettes are getting mighty testy.
Losing the election must have finally sunk in.
Whomever 2016
If Hillary wins, Bill's back in the White House. I can't wait to see that.
I don't think it will be as easy as most believe. Clinton is not scrupulous like Obama. She's not going to pound the tax the rich drum and the war against women drum as effectively. There will be backlash against Obmacare by 2016, and how is she going to handle that? Questions will need to be answered about Benghazi. She will also be pushing 68 or 69, and having experience with her recent health condition, she is at elevated risk of stroke. I pray not, but I would not doubt that she has a signicant health issue before 2016.
I would love to see Ms Clinton elected, but I'm afraid her age, and health would be a liability in coping with the job. As for Christie, as of today he's the Republicans best candidate. This means his chances of getting nominated are very small.
Do you think Hillary can get the Benghazi blood off of her hands by 2016?
The Presidential race is eons away in terms of politics and public opinion, this poll is an incredible waste of space in the landscape of current day news.
I don't want Clintons back in the WH. They've dominated our politics(and our news) long enough. How about some new faces, please?
Republicans won't run Christie. I'm not certain Hillary has it sewn up on the Dem side yet either. 2016 will be a very interesting election.
The republicans will never turn to Christie. He's too honest. Clinton won't run. Neither will Biden. Each major party will choose mediocre candidates. Christie will form a third party, and he will win the presidency.
Maybe the news media will stop being so obsessed with her appearance. At least she can put on a few extra pounds and not worry about it being mentioned in every media outlet in the country.
Who cares? We are 4 years away from electing anyone. I think what we need to worry about right now is if we can stop these idiots from spending any more money and stealing money from our children and grandchildren in order to pay for their underhanded ways now.
If the Republicans want to win they will need to put up a woman against Hillary. Your typical dyed in the wool white guy isn't going to cut it against a minority candidate just like it didn't at the last election. If the Democrats run a woman the Republicans run a woman. If the Democrats run a Black man than the Republicans must run a Black man. Simple as that.
TN
Do you think Hillary can get the Benghazi blood off of her hands by 2016?
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GW Bush didn't get the 9/11 attacks and Iraqi War blood off his hands and he was re-elected.
Leave Christie in NJ
He would not fare well in DC
It is Christi.Hilary is too old and getting dementia
Clinton...Christie won't get enough support from the core conservatives and Tea Party loyalist.
Hillary is too old to be President now, she could not physically keep up as Secretary of State the last few years. Her time has passed, 2008.