Poll: Clinton leads potential Democratic presidential field by wide margin in Iowa

DES MOINES - Hillary Clinton appears to be a shoo-in to win the 2016 Iowa Democratic caucuses.

Clinton, a former first lady, U.S. senator and secretary of state, captured the support of 61 percent of likely Iowa Democratic caucus participants, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.

Clinton hasn't officially announced she will seek the Democratic presidential nomination, but she's leaving little doubt as she assembles a campaign organization and delivering speeches addressing likely campaign issues including raising workers' wages and rebuilding trust and cooperation in government.

If Clinton doesn't run, U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts would be the top choice of 36 percent of likely Democratic caucusgoers. Vice President Joe Biden had the support of 32 percent and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders was favored by 8 percent with 17 percent of the Democrats undecided.

However, with Clinton in the field, Warren's support dropped to 19 percent and Biden's fell to 7 percent, the independent poll found. No one else topped 5 percent and 6 percent were undecided.

'The Democratic race in the Iowa caucuses a year before the voting can be summarized pretty succinctly: Hillary Clinton is the huge favorite,” said Quinnipiac University Poll Assistant Director Peter Brown. 'If she chooses not to run, U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Vice President Joseph Biden are likely to begin at the top of a pack with other candidates scrambling to get into the race.”

Earlier this week, Quinnipiac released poll data showing Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker leading the Republican field among likely GOP caucusgoers. Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul followed in a distant second with 13 percent.

In its survey, Quinnipiac found that Democrats view themselves as more moderate than Republicans. Nearly half, 45 percent describe themselves as 'moderate” or 'conservative,” while 25 percent of Republicans say they are 'moderate” or 'liberal.”

Clinton's lead in the poll is easy to understand given the 90 percent to 7 percent favorability/unfavorability ranking democrats give her. Favorability ratings for other Democratic contenders are:

77 - 15 percent favorable/unfavorable for Biden;

60 - 5 percent favorable/unfavorable for Warren;

84 percent don't know enough about former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley to form an opinion of him;

56 percent don't know enough about Sanders;

79 percent don't know enough about former U.S. Sen. Jim Webb of Virginia.

By a 63 percent to 25 percent margin, Democratic caucus participants say experience as a member of Congress better prepares a candidate to be president than experience as a governor or administrator. That the opposite of Republicans who told Quinnipiac they prefer a nominee with gubernatorial experience.

Because her husband served as president, only 5 percent of Democratic caucusgoers are less likely to vote for Clinton, while 29 percent are more likely and 65 percent say it will make no difference.

Seventy-three percent of the Democrats said the fact that Clinton would be the first woman president makes no difference in their choice.

From Feb. 16-23, Quinnipiac University surveyed 619 likely Iowa Democratic caucus participants, with a margin of error of +/- 3.9 percentage points. Live interviewers call landlines and cellphones.

For more information, visit http://www.quinnipiac.edu/polling.