Rand Paul Up, Hillary Clinton Down In Latest Poll
U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) is running a close race with former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton in a hypothetical match-up in three critical U.S. Presidential election states, according to a Quinnipiac University Swing State Poll released on Thursday.
"These numbers are a boost for U.S. Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky as he formally launches his campaign," said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll.
Clinton's lead is wilting against leading Republican presidential candidates in Colorado, Iowa and Virginia. In head-to-head match-ups, every Republican candidate effectively ties her in Colorado and almost all Republicans effectively tie her in Iowa. One bright spot for Clinton is Virginia, the largest of the three states, where she leads all Republicans, including 47 - 40 percent over former Florida Governor Jeb Bush. Clinton's lead over Republicans in Virginia is narrowest against Paul, 47 - 43 percent.
"Ominous for Hillary Clinton is the broad scope of the movement today compared to her showing in Quinnipiac University's mid-February survey. It isn't just one or two Republicans who are stepping up; it's virtually the entire GOP field that is running better against her.
Voters in each swing state say Clinton is not honest and trustworthy. Her overall favorability has dropped significantly in Colorado and Iowa from prior polls, while Virginia is unchanged.
"In all three of these states, more, and in Colorado many more, registered voters say she is not honest and trustworthy," Brown added. "Voters do think she is a strong leader - a key metric - but unless she can change the honesty perception, running as a competent but dishonest candidate has serious potential problems."
| Race Held Today | Colorado | Iowa | Virginia |
| Clinton vs. Paul | 41%-44% | 42%-43% | 47%-43% |
| Clinton vs. Huckabee | 41%-41% | 42%-42% | 48%-40% |
| Clinton vs. Walker | 41%-42% | 44%-40% | 47%-40% |
| Clinton vs. Rubio | 40%-41% | 43%-40% | 48%-40% |
| Clinton vs. Cruz | 42%-41% | 43%-40% | 49%-39% |
| Clinton vs. Christie | 41%-39% | 41%-39% | 46%-40% |
| Clinton vs. Bush | 41%-38% | 41%-40% | 47%-40% |
SOURCE: March 29 - April 7 Quinnipiac University Swing State Poll. Margin of error: Colorado +/- 3.3%; Iowa and Virginia +/- 3.2%
