Clinton poll numbers take hit in key swing states

close

Video

Poll: Email scandal hurting Hillary Clinton in swing states

Reaction from the Washington Times' Stephen Dinan

Hillary Clinton’s poll numbers are taking a hit in key swing states in the wake of the controversy over her use of personal email while secretary of state – though she’s still doing better than several potential Republican presidential candidates.

Quinnipiac University released new numbers on Tuesday showing how top potential 2016 candidates fared in Ohio, Florida and Pennsylvania.

The survey showed the former secretary of state’s favorability ratings down in Florida and Pennsylvania. In Florida, 49 percent said they viewed her favorably, down from 53 percent last month. In Pennsylvania, that number was 48 percent, down from 55 percent last month. Her rating held steady in Ohio at 51 percent.

The survey comes as Clinton, a likely Democratic presidential candidate, faces sustained criticism over the revelation that she exclusively used personal email – and used a personal server – while secretary of state.

Still, her favorability ratings were better than most Republican candidates’. And she’s keeping the lead in most head-to-head matchups, albeit a smaller lead than before.

The closest matchups were in Florida -- where former Gov. Jeb Bush got 45 percent to Clinton’s 42 percent -- and Pennsylvania, where Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., got 45 percent to Clinton’s 44 percent. But in Ohio, Clinton leads all Republicans by at least a 5 percentage point margin.

“The good news for Hillary Clinton is that the e-mail controversy has not done huge violence to her presidential chances,” Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac Poll, said in a statement. “But the matter is taking a toll on the former secretary of state’s public image.”

The poll of more than 1,000 voters in each state was taken March 17-28. It had a margin of error of 3 percentage points.