With Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker’s numbers and name recognition climbing, Rasmussen Reports is out with a new poll that has him giving “likely Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton a run for her money,” now that Walker is seen as at the head of the GOP pack of potential candidates.
Forty-six percent (46%) of Likely U.S. Voters say they would vote for Clinton in a matchup with Walker if the 2016 presidential contest were held today. But a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that nearly as many (41%) would choose Walker instead. Eight percent (8%) prefer some other candidate, while six percent (6%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
Also, in what may be a bit of surprise, people appear to be paying attention early.
Seventy-eight percent (78%) say they are following recent news reports about the 2016 presidential race at least somewhat closely, with 35% who are following Very Closely. Among voters who are following the closest, Walker leads Clinton 51% to 43%.
While early numbers are bound to change over time, clearly Walker bests Jeb Bush as well as Ben Carson when it comes to a potential faceoff with Hillary Clinton. For now, the numbers may impact candidates’ fundraising capabilities, more than anything. The more viable Walker looks, the more likely he is to generate the type of interest he’ll need among key deep-pocketed GOP donors.
Among all likely voters, Clinton gets 45% support to former Florida Governor Jeb Bush’s 36%. Twelve percent (12%) like another candidate given this matchup. Seven percent (7%) are undecided. A year ago at this time, Clinton posted a 47% to 33% lead over Bush.
Retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson trails Clinton 47% to 36%, little changed from June of last year. Eight percent (8%) favor some other candidate in a Clinton-Carson race, and 10% are undecided.
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