Poll: Trump, Clinton score historic unfavorable ratings

Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton register net negative ratings in double digits, indicating the front-runners for each party’s presidential nominations are viewed negatively at historic levels, according to a new CBS/New York Times poll. That makes Trump and Clinton viewed more unfavorably than any front-runner for either party since 1984, when CBS began polling voters on the question. On the Republican side, Trump scores a net negative of -33, with a favorable rating of 24% compared to 57% of voters who view him unfavorably. On the Democratic side, Clinton fares only slightly better with a net negative of -21, registering a 31% favorable rating and a 52% unfavorable rating, according to the poll. Both candidates’ negatives far outweigh front-runners of the past. In 2012, President Barack Obama was viewed favorably and unfavorably by an equal share of voters, while Republican nominee Mitt Romney scored a net negative of -7. In 2008, both Obama and Sen. John McCain had net positive ratings of 16 and 7 points, respectively. CNN/ORC poll: Trump, Clinton remain on top The previous highest unfavorable rating since 1984 actually belongs to another Clinton – former President Bill Clinton, who in 1992 had a net negative rating of -17. Most have low opinions of the two political parties as a whole as well – though the Republican Party is viewed far less favorably than the Democratic Party. Just 28% hold a favorable opinion of the Republican Party, compared to 46% of voters who view the Democratic Party favorably. Overall, 66% of Americans have a negative view of the GOP, which CBS says matches the lowest rating ever recorded in CBS polling. The CBS/NYT poll also surveyed voters on hypothetical general election match-ups. National poll: Clinton, Sanders both top Trump In a Clinton-Trump election, Clinton leads the billionaire businessman by 10 points. Against Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, Clinton is ahead by 3 points. And her lead disappears when matched up against Ohio Gov. John Kasich, who would beat Clinton by 4 points. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, Clinton’s primary rival, performs better in a hypothetical contest with Trump. He leads the Republican front-runner by 15 points due to his strong support among independent voters, according to the poll.