Clinton leads rivals by only 6 points in Iowa

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) trail Hillary Clinton by only 6 percentage points in 2016 hypothetical match-ups in Iowa, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released Monday.

Clinton leads Paul 46 percent to 40 percent and leads Ryan 47 percent to 41 percent, the survey found. Clinton also leads other potential GOP presidential contenders, including former Govs. Mike Huckabee (R-Ark.) and Jeb Bush (R-Fla.). 

{mosads}She leads Bush by double digits, 49 percent to 36 percent. 

The poll also found Gov. Chris Christie (R-N.J.) has been closing in on Clinton’s lead. Clinton maintains a 44 percent to 36 percent lead, compared to the 48 percent to 35 percent lead she held against Christie in a March survey. 

“Things are getting a bit better in Iowa for New Jersey Gov. Christopher Christie,” said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac Poll. “Secretary Clinton leads all the potential GOP candidates with U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan and Sen. Rand Paul running closest, six points in back of her.”  

More than half of Iowa voters said they view Clinton favorably; Huckabee received the highest favorability rating, 41 percent, among his possible Republican competitors.

Forty percent of Iowa voters said they approve of President Obama’s job as president, while more than half disapprove. 

The survey comes as Clinton heads into her third week of her national book tour for her new memoir, Hard Choices. She’s considered the Democratic front-runner for president in 2016 if she decides to run.

The poll surveyed 1,277 registered voters in Iowa from June 12 to16 with a  2.7 percentage point margin of error.