Poll: Chris Christie leads Hillary Clinton for first time in Iowa
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has edged ahead of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in a new Iowa poll, 45 percent to 40 percent in a head-to-head matchup.
The latest survey by Quinnipiac University shows that Christie, a Republican, has improved in the hypothetical contest against Clinton, a Democrat, since this summer, when another Quinnipiac poll showed them tied at 41 percent. Some of that recent boost is likely from Republicans in general gaining ground amid the rocky Obamacare rollout.
Clinton comes out on top, however, in matchups against other potential 2016 Republican presidential contenders -- Sens. Rand Paul of Kentucky and Ted Cruz of Texas, and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The poll shows that Iowa voters believe either Christie or Clinton would be a good president. They are less certain of Paul, Cruz and Bush, who the preponderance said would not make a good president.