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.
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Comment to Benghazi boy–get real. This has gotten old. That's all you guys have to use as a complaint. I would hope for Mrs. Clinton. She has a level of dignity and respect that is deserving of such a position. While I'm a bit more fond of Christie than I used to be - still sort of annoys moi.
Washington needs new leaders. I will not vote for anyone who was the first lady and I will not vote for anyone who was the Vice President. New faces, new ideas. The times they are a changing.
The only thing Christie could win would be a hot-dog eating contest.
Hillary would be awesome and the repos are already starting to prepare for 2016. So its not to early but I don't think they will go with Christie he is a loose cannon and has shown he can compromise and put the people first. Totally against repo rules.
Fools I tell ya, you are all fools! The republican party is dead and done, they have been excavated from any and all leadership position governing this great nation! 🙁
When I saw this Headline 'Christie vs Clinton' I wondered: do they mean Bill Clinton in a Pie-Eating contest or Hillary and the Governor in a Foot Race from the Supreme Court to the White House?
I know the far left media would like to see this be the 2016 race. You have been pushing it hard for weeks now. A compulsive liar from the far lefter vs. a RINO who has more in common with the Democrats than the GOP. Ain't going to happen. Get prepared for a conservative candidate who will mop up the floor with whoever the Democrats select.
Pause for a second and just take a good look at Christie picture , , , He being president would send a unhealthy message, not only to the world but to the whole US of A, that we are a heart attack nation in waiting . . . 🙁
It doesn't matter – Clinton or Christie – no one wins if either one is elected. We need a leader – not another corporate shill.
Hillary is too old? Did we hear anyone saying that about Mitt Romney? He's the same age. How old was McCain when he ran? Almost 60 million Americans had no problem voting for a guy running at age 72.
If Christie becomes the nominee, although I am republican I will vote for Hillary.
Get prepared for a conservative candidate who will mop up the floor with whoever the Democrats select
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Yep, just like 2008 and 2012.
Christie is the best that the GOP has...and they've treated him like dirt. And the sad bigger picture of it all...Christie isn't even a national player.
What about Rand Paul? Who decides that he should NOT have been included in a poll?
The problem for Repubs is that they hate anyone who doesn't hate Obama, which means Christie has to be punished, not nominated. Poor Republicans. They latched onto the most extreme, ignorant element of our society for short-term electoral advantage and now can't save themselves.
Ever notice how society treats people that are overweight? Doesn't matter what their position in life. Lose some tonnage governor, or lose the race.
Really.....you think Hillary would win? I don't think so.....she has too much baggage.....it's called "Bill"!!
Wait, Christie's a Republican?
Clinton, hands down. Christie would never survive the primaries for health reasons. And his temper which gives out and gives him away all too often when he needn't use it at all.
@blake
Guy it seems to me like you are in a very deep sleep like the rest of the teadumblikkklan party. wake to hell up republicans are done.
In his current state, Christie has virtually no chance of making it to the election and through a term in office without a major health issue. If for no other reason, Clinton wins by default.
Did we fast forward 4 years? I am pretty sure we just RE-ELECTED a president. Or is this a sign that we have no confidence in him the next 4 years?
Wow, if the GOP isn't dead already, a Chris Christie nomination would surely be the final nail in the coffin.
Clinton–Christie blew it–What a shame–
"Get prepared for a conservative candidate who will mop up the floor with whoever the Democrats select."
Yes, please select another "severe conservative" to run.