2016 Presidential Election: Interest Lower Than 2008 Election; Bush, Clinton Families Don't Influence Votes
Interest for the 2016 presidential election is reportedly lower compared to the previous two presidential election cycles, according to polling data.
The Pew Research Center report "Campaign 2016: Modest Interest, High Stakes," which polled 1,500 adults including 1,097 registered voters, found 58 percent of the survey respondents have given "at least some thought" to the candidates that may run for president in 2016. The aforementioned percentage, however, is 10 percentage points lower compared to the 2008 election season.
Despite the 2016 presidential season being at an early stage, most respondents do care about who wins the White House, with 87 percent, while 72 percent cares about the political party that wins the presidency.
Hillary Clinton appears to be top contender for the Democratic Party's nomination, according to Democratic and Democratic-leaning registered voters in the survey.
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Among Republican and Republican-leaning respondents, no GOP candidate immediate stood out. From the 10 possible Republican candidates, no GOP contender received at least a quarter of the poll. Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida and current Gov. Scott Walker of Wisconsin tied at 23 percent for GOP contenders who have a "good chance" of winning the votes from the surveys Republican and Republican-leaning respondents.
Bush, however, received 25 percent of the "no chance of winning the Republican vote. Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky followed with 23 percent, each.
"In contrast to the tight Republican field, Hillary Clinton enjoys broad support among Democratic voters. Potential rivals for her party's nomination have much softer levels of support among Democrats," wrote Pew Research Center, noting Clinton received 59 percent from Democratic and Democratic-leaning respondents who have a "good chance" for voting for the former secretary of state. Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts nearly tied for second and third place, with 22 percent and 21 percent, respectively.
Respondents apparently do not have much concern about having a president related to a previous president. Republican voters, with 75 percent, said it does not influence them that the Bush family continues to play a role in the GOP, while 88 percent of Democratic voters are not bothered by the Clintons' role in the Democratic Party.
The Pew Research Center's poll was conducted between March 25 and March 29.
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