Clinton's Favorability Dips in US States Critical for 2016 Election - Poll

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Voters in three US states critical for a victory in the 2016 presidential election view former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton less favorably, but she still stands better than any other potential presidential candidate, according to a Quinnipiac University Swing State Poll released on Tuesday.

“Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's margins are down in matchups with possible 2016 Republican presidential candidates in three critical swing states, Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania… but she still runs best overall of any candidate,” it said.

In Florida, Clinton support stood at 42 percent in close contest to that state’s former Governor Jeb Bush whose support stands at 45 percent, according to the poll.

In Pennsylvania, US Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky polls at 45 percent to Clinton's 44 percent, while in Ohio, Clinton leads Paul with 46 to 41 percent.

Quinnipiac University specified that in no state voters said Clinton is “honest” and “trustworthy.”

"The good news for Hillary Clinton is that the e-mail controversy has not done huge violence to her presidential chances," Quinnipiac Poll Assistant Director Peter Brown said.

Brown noted, however, that the controversy is taking a toll on Clinton's public image, as majorities in each state think she still has questions to answer on the issue.

“Voters in each state are evenly divided on whether Congressional hearings are warranted although a majority thinks such a hearing would be politically motivated rather than justified," Brown added.

Clinton stirred up a controversy after The New York Times published a story citing US Department of State sources, who claimed she used a personal e-mail address between 2009 and 2013 while serving as a US State Secretary, and did not have an official e-mail address.

Clinton said earlier that she used her personal e-mail out of “convenience,” but said she regretted the decision.