A new IBD/TIPP poll showed that among Democrats nationally, Clinton has fallen eight points to 43%, while support for Sanders has climbed six points to 39%.
The numbers represent a significant decline for Clinton since the last IBD/TIPP Poll, and a 6% increase for Sanders. The most recent poll, putting Sanders within four points of Clinton, is the closest they have yet been in a national poll.
An NBC/Wall Street Journal/Marist poll shows the Vermont senator surging particularly in important early primary states, as the former first lady’s numbers concurrently decline.
In Iowa, Clinton, who once held a strong lead, is now leading by only three points, at 48% compared to 45% for Sanders, falling into a 4.8% margin of error. Martin O’Malley currently holds 5%.
In New Hampshire, Sanders is ahead of Clinton by six points, at 50% to Clinton’s 46%, with a 4.8 point margin of error. O’Malley shows only 1% support in New Hampshire.
Sanders is also in the lead in general election match ups against Republican rivals.
"Turning to the general election," the poll summary for Marist reported, "when Clinton and Sanders are each matched against Trump, Cruz, or Rubio, Sanders does better than Clinton among registered voters in both Iowa and New Hampshire."
Sanders currently leads the GOP by an average of six points in Iowa and 19 points in New Hampshire.
In Iowa, Clinton leads Trump by 8%, five points below Sanders, and tops the former reality television star and real estate tycoon by only 1% in New Hampshire, 18 points below what the Vermont senator holds against the GOP frontrunner.
The poll found that much of this data is due to Sander’s strong performance with independent voters who may not vote in primaries, but would vote in the general election.
Politico reported that Nevada may be beginning to “feel the Bern.” The state once thought to be an easy win for Clinton is "suddenly looking like it's in play" for Sanders in the February 20 primary vote, "opening another unexpected early state front."
Additionally, Real Clear Politics has found that Sanders leads Clinton 46%-35% among millennial Democrats and independents. His popularity is revealed particularly with millennial women, leading Clinton by almost 20 points.
Clinton asserts that she is the only electable candidate, but the Sanders campaign and the poll numbers tell a different story.
