In what by all accounts has been a dismal and rough week for Republican Donald Trump, Democrat Hillary Clinton has significantly expanded her lead in a slew of new polls on the strength of an outstanding performance in the first presidential debate on September 26.
Clinton, who was virtually tied with Trump in the run-up to the debate, now has an average lead of 4 per cent over him in seven different polls conducted after the debate. The latest one from CNN-ORC gives her a 5 per cent lead in a four-way match and 6 per cent in a head-to-head contest with the Republican nominee.
Apart from his poor showing at the debate, Trump remained preoccupied with a needless controversy by doubling down on his criticism of a former Miss Universe for days on end till it was overtaken by the bombshell report that he may not have paid taxes for 18 years by posting a monumental business loss back in 1995.
Significantly, Clinton is ahead not only nationally, but also in several battleground States that will eventually decide the winner. The leads in these States, however, are not decisive enough as yet.
For Clinton, however, this is not the first time that she has enjoyed a comfortable lead in the race. On three earlier occasions in recent months, Clinton has seen her lead dissipate with Trump closing the gap. With the election less than 35 days away, it remains to be seen if she is able to consolidate her position.
Releasing its poll results, CNN said Clinton now tops Trump 47% to 42% among likely voters with libertarian nominee Gary Johnson at 7% and Green Party nominee Jill Stein at 2%. She is seen to have narrowed the enthusiasm gap between her supporters and Trump’s.
A CBS poll released on Tuesday gives Clinton a 4 point lead (44.4% to 40.4%), with Johnson at 8% and Stein at 3%.
“Clinton has improved on some key candidate qualities: More now see her as having the right temperament (59%) and being prepared to be president (63%) than at any time during the campaign,” CBS said, noting that Trump’s numbers on these measures and continue to be negative. Trump, however, is seen as the best able to handle the economy and bring change.
In the battleground polls, Clinton has gained ground in Colorado, Florida, Pennsylvania and Virginia, while Trump leads in Ohio and North Carolina. In Colorado, Clinton leads Trump by 11 per cent, according to a Monmouth University poll released Monday. In Virginia, she has an 8-point lead, according to a poll from the Christopher Newport University. In North Carolina, Clinton leads Trump 46% to 43%, according to a Quinnipiac poll.