FOR RELEASE: SEPTEMBER 15, 2016

Transcription

1 FOR RELEASE: SEPTEMBER 15, 2016 BY HUGE MARGIN, AMERICANS SAY CLINTON IS MORE QUALIFIED, QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY NATIONAL POLL FINDS, EXCEPT FOR HONESTY, SHE TOPS TRUMP ON KEY QUALITIES While the presidential horse race between Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump remains close, American likely voters say percent that Clinton is qualified to be president and percent that Trump is not qualified, according to a Quinnipiac University national poll released today. But voters say percent that Clinton is not honest enough to be president, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University Poll finds. Likely voters are divided on Trump as 50 percent say he is honest enough to be president and 48 percent say he is not honest enough. Clinton tops Trump percent in a head-to-head matchup. With third party candidates in the race, results are too close to call, with Clinton at 41 percent, Trump at 39 percent, Libertarian Party candidate Gary Johnson at 13 percent and Green Party candidate Jill Stein at 4 percent. American likely voters say percent that the way Donald Trump talks appeals to bigotry. White voters believe this percent and non-white voters agree percent. And voters say percent, including percent among Republicans, that Trump should publicly release his tax returns. Looking at Clinton, voters say percent she does not believe that she has to play by the same rules as everyone else. Despite terrible marks on honesty, despite what voters perceive as a level of arrogance that puts her above the rules, voters say almost 2-1 that Hillary Clinton is qualified to be president, and say by a wide margin that Donald Trump is not qualified, said Tim Malloy, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll. -more-

2 Quinnipiac University Poll/September 15, 2016 page 2 American likely voters say percent that Trump is more transparent than Clinton. Voters give both candidates negative grades for honesty, but Clinton s are lower, as voters say percent she is not honest. Trump is not honest, voters say percent. Clinton has much better scores than Trump on other key qualities: Voters say percent that she has the right kind of experience to be president and percent that Trump does not have the experience; Voters say percent that Clinton is intelligent and percent that Trump is intelligent; Clinton cares about average Americans, voters say percent, while Trump does not, voters say percent; Clinton is level-headed, voters say percent, but Trump is not, voters say percent; Both candidates get a percent score for being a strong person. Good leadership skills are most important in a president, 26 percent of voters say, while 20 percent most want a president who cares about average Americans and 16 percent want a president who is honest. Clinton has good leadership skills, voters say percent, and so does Trump, voters say percent. American likely voters are tied percent on whether Clinton or Trump would make the right decisions concerning the economy. Clinton would do a better job keeping the U.S. safe from terrorism, 49 percent of voters say, while 47 percent say Trump would do better. Clinton tops Trump on handling other key issues: Voters say percent that she would do a better job on immigration; Voters trust her more than Trump, percent, to make the right decision about sending U.S. troops overseas; Voters trust her more percent, to handle foreign policy. Trump trails Clinton on foreign policy, immigration, experience, intelligence and level headedness, but perhaps most damning, American likely voters say percent that the way Donald Trump talks appeals to bigotry, Malloy said. From September 8 13, Quinnipiac University surveyed 960 likely voters nationwide with a margin of error of +/- 3.2 percentage points. Live interviewers call landlines and cell phones. The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public opinion surveys in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida, Ohio, Virginia, Iowa, Colorado, North Carolina and the nation as a public service and for research. Visit or Call (203) , or follow us on 2

3 22. In this presidential election, which is more important to you: the character of the candidates or the candidates' positions on issues facing the nation today? Character 31% 29% 31% 32% 32% 30% 35% 29% Positions DK/NA Character 23% 30% 36% 31% 33% 31% 32% 29% Positions DK/NA Character 30% 35% Positions DK/NA Regardless of how you intend to vote, who do you think would make better decisions about the economy: Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump? Clinton 49% 10% 90% 43% 41% 55% 48% 35% Trump DK/NA Clinton 59% 50% 45% 43% 35% 47% 41% 69% Trump DK/NA Clinton 94% 2% Trump 5 97 DK/NA 2 1 3

4 30. Regardless of how you intend to vote, who do you think would do a better job - keeping the country safe from terrorism: Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump? Clinton 49% 11% 90% 44% 43% 54% 51% 34% Trump DK/NA Clinton 55% 54% 45% 42% 37% 47% 42% 68% Trump DK/NA Clinton 95% 1% Trump 3 97 DK/NA Regardless of how you intend to vote, who do you think would do a better job - handling immigration issues: Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump? Clinton 51% 10% 94% 45% 42% 58% 52% 35% Trump DK/NA Clinton 64% 52% 46% 42% 38% 48% 43% 70% Trump DK/NA Clinton 96% 3% Trump 3 96 DK/NA 1 1 4

5 32. Regardless of how you intend to vote, who would you trust more to - make the right decision about sending American troops to fight overseas: Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump? Clinton 52% 13% 92% 48% 47% 56% 52% 38% Trump DK/NA Clinton 60% 58% 47% 43% 41% 48% 45% 70% Trump DK/NA Clinton 97% 5% Trump 1 92 DK/NA Regardless of how you intend to vote, who do you trust more to - handle foreign policy: Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump? Clinton 57% 18% 97% 51% 52% 61% 55% 44% Trump DK/NA Clinton 71% 64% 51% 48% 46% 53% 50% 77% Trump DK/NA Clinton 99% 8% Trump - 88 DK/NA 1 3 5

6 34. Would you say that Hillary Clinton is honest, or not? Yes 32% 4% 72% 19% 24% 40% 33% 20% No DK/NA Yes 21% 36% 34% 33% 19% 34% 27% 49% No DK/NA Yes 65% 1% No DK/NA Would you say that Donald Trump is honest, or not? Yes 40% 73% 10% 41% 43% 37% 39% 51% No DK/NA Yes 27% 35% 45% 50% 48% 42% 45% 26% No DK/NA Yes 7% 77% No DK/NA 2 3 6

7 36. Would you say that Hillary Clinton has good leadership skills, or not? Yes 55% 28% 90% 47% 46% 62% 56% 42% No DK/NA Yes 67% 59% 49% 48% 41% 56% 49% 72% No DK/NA Yes 92% 15% No 7 84 DK/NA Would you say that Donald Trump has good leadership skills, or not? Yes 54% 85% 25% 57% 58% 51% 54% 65% No DK/NA Yes 52% 54% 56% 55% 64% 55% 59% 41% No DK/NA Yes 21% 92% No 77 6 DK/NA 2 2 7

8 38. Would you say that Hillary Clinton has the right kind of experience to be President, or not? Yes 68% 45% 94% 65% 64% 72% 73% 56% No DK/NA Yes 77% 78% 66% 56% 61% 67% 64% 81% No DK/NA Yes 98% 37% No 2 63 DK/NA Would you say that Donald Trump has the right kind of experience to be President, or not? Yes 34% 67% 4% 36% 39% 29% 35% 46% No DK/NA Yes 21% 29% 40% 42% 45% 36% 40% 16% No DK/NA Yes 1% 74% No DK/NA - 1 8

9 40. Would you say that Hillary Clinton is intelligent, or not? Yes 88% 77% 98% 92% 86% 91% 92% 83% No DK/NA Yes 90% 92% 87% 84% 84% 90% 87% 91% No DK/NA Yes 98% 78% No 2 22 DK/NA Would you say that Donald Trump is intelligent, or not? Yes 69% 94% 42% 75% 77% 63% 73% 75% No DK/NA Yes 56% 75% 73% 70% 80% 68% 74% 57% No DK/NA Yes 44% 98% No 53 2 DK/NA 2-9

10 42. Would you say that Hillary Clinton cares about average Americans, or not? Yes 53% 24% 90% 44% 43% 61% 52% 44% No DK/NA Yes 54% 55% 52% 49% 38% 56% 48% 67% No DK/NA Yes 90% 15% No 9 84 DK/NA Would you say that Donald Trump cares about average Americans, or not? Yes 44% 80% 11% 44% 48% 40% 44% 56% No DK/NA Yes 42% 34% 48% 52% 53% 47% 50% 27% No DK/NA Yes 7% 86% No DK/NA

11 44. Would you say that Hillary Clinton is level headed, or not? Yes 63% 35% 94% 60% 57% 68% 68% 50% No DK/NA Yes 61% 74% 61% 56% 54% 63% 59% 75% No DK/NA Yes 95% 28% No 4 70 DK/NA Would you say that Donald Trump is level headed, or not? Yes 27% 55% 4% 27% 32% 22% 29% 35% No DK/NA Yes 9% 21% 32% 41% 36% 27% 32% 15% No DK/NA Yes 2% 59% No DK/NA

12 46. Would you say that Hillary Clinton is a strong person, or not? Yes 76% 59% 95% 74% 71% 80% 79% 67% No DK/NA Yes 77% 81% 78% 69% 67% 78% 73% 84% No DK/NA Yes 97% 54% No 2 45 DK/NA Would you say that Donald Trump is a strong person, or not? Yes 76% 95% 56% 77% 78% 74% 75% 79% No DK/NA Yes 77% 76% 78% 75% 77% 77% 77% 72% No DK/NA Yes 57% 97% No 41 2 DK/NA

13 48. If you had to choose which of the following is most important to you, the President should be someone who: is honest, has good leadership skills, has the right kind of experience, is intelligent, cares about average Americans, is level headed, or is a strong person? Honest 16% 28% 4% 19% 16% 16% 17% 21% Leadership skills Right experience Intelligent Cares Level headed Strong DK/NA Honest 14% 15% 16% 19% 20% 18% 19% 9% Leadership skills Right experience Intelligent Cares Level headed Strong DK/NA Honest 4% 28% Leadership skills Right experience 25 3 Intelligent 10 5 Cares Level headed 15 4 Strong 2 5 DK/NA

14 49. Do you believe that Hillary Clinton bases her policies on a set of core values, or do you believe that she does whatever is politically convenient? Based on core values 39% 11% 79% 27% 33% 44% 43% 27% Convenient DK/NA Based on core values 25% 42% 41% 40% 29% 40% 35% 49% Convenient DK/NA Based on core values 73% 5% Convenient DK/NA Do you believe that Donald Trump bases his policies on a set of core values, or do you believe that he does whatever is politically convenient? Based on core values 44% 76% 15% 44% 50% 39% 45% 55% Convenient DK/NA Based on core values 33% 41% 50% 50% 54% 47% 50% 27% Convenient DK/NA Based on core values 13% 82% Convenient DK/NA

15 53. Regardless of how you intend to vote, who do you think is more transparent: Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump? Clinton 37% 14% 68% 29% 33% 41% 34% 29% Trump DK/NA Clinton 45% 40% 37% 27% 28% 35% 32% 52% Trump DK/NA Clinton 68% 9% Trump DK/NA Regardless of whether or not you'd vote for her, do you think Hillary Clinton is or is not qualified to serve as President? Yes/Qualified 62% 32% 93% 59% 58% 65% 65% 49% No/Not qualified DK/NA Yes/Qualified 68% 68% 60% 52% 54% 59% 57% 77% No/Not qualified DK/NA Yes/Qualified 96% 25% No/Not qualified 4 75 DK/NA

16 55. Regardless of whether or not you'd vote for him, do you think Donald Trump is or is not qualified to serve as President? Yes/Qualified 38% 74% 4% 41% 44% 33% 40% 51% No/Not qualified DK/NA Yes/Qualified 20% 33% 47% 47% 52% 41% 46% 16% No/Not qualified DK/NA Yes/Qualified 2% 82% No/Not qualified DK/NA A. (If Trump not qualified q55) What do you think is the main reason that Donald Trump is unqualified to be President; is it because he has never held public office, because he lacks necessary knowledge, because he has made offensive comments, because he doesn't have the right temperament, or because of his policies? LIKELY VOTERS... TRUMP NOT QUALIFIED Q55... Tot Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Never held office 12% 12% 9% 12% 13% 10% 9% Lacks knowledge Offensive comments Wrong temperament Policies DK/NA

17 56. Regardless of whether or not you'd vote for him, do you believe that Donald Trump is honest enough to be President, or not? Yes/Honest enough 50% 87% 11% 55% 58% 42% 50% 62% No/Not honest enough DK/NA Yes/Honest enough 39% 51% 52% 56% 63% 49% 56% 32% No/Not honest enough DK/NA Yes/Honest enough 9% 94% No/Not honest enough 88 5 DK/NA Regardless of whether or not you'd vote for her, do you believe that Hillary Clinton is honest enough to be President, or not? Yes/Honest enough 43% 10% 86% 31% 37% 48% 47% 29% No/Not honest enough DK/NA Yes/Honest enough 34% 52% 42% 42% 33% 43% 38% 58% No/Not honest enough DK/NA Yes/Honest enough 82% 3% No/Not honest enough DK/NA 4-17

18 57A. (If Clinton not honest enough q57) What do you think is the main reason that Hillary Clinton is not honest enough to be President; is it is it because of the way she handled the aftermath of the Benghazi attack, because of her responses regarding her use of a private server, because of how often she has changed her positions on issues, because she answers questions in an evasive or calculated way, or because she has been in politics for a long time? LIKELY VOTERS... CLINTON NOT HONEST ENOUGH Q57... Tot Rep Ind Men Wom Yes No Benghazi attack 26% 29% 20% 22% 30% 21% 31% Private server Changes positions Evasive/calculated In politics DK/NA Donald Trump has said he would like to build a wall along the Mexican border and have Mexico pay for it. If elected President, do you believe that he would try to do this, or not? COMBINED WITH: (If yes) Do you think he would be able to do this, or not? Yes/Try and able 26% 48% 9% 25% 27% 25% 24% 31% Yes/Try but not able No/Not try DK/NA Yes/Try and able 15% 20% 31% 33% 28% 27% 27% 20% Yes/Try but not able No/Not try DK/NA Yes/Try and able 7% 50% Yes/Try but not able No/Not try DK/NA

19 59. Hillary Clinton has said she would like to make public college free for every family that makes $125,000 a year or less. If elected President, do you believe that she would try to do this, or not? COMBINED WITH: (If yes) Do you think she would be able to do this, or not? Yes/Try and able 14% 9% 24% 11% 10% 18% 12% 10% Yes/Try but not able No/Not try DK/NA Yes/Try and able 19% 13% 13% 13% 6% 16% 11% 24% Yes/Try but not able No/Not try DK/NA Yes/Try and able 22% 7% Yes/Try but not able No/Not try DK/NA Do you think Donald Trump should publicly release his tax returns, or not? Yes 75% 60% 92% 73% 73% 77% 78% 72% No DK/NA Yes 72% 77% 74% 76% 73% 77% 75% 77% No DK/NA Yes 92% 57% No 6 34 DK/NA

20 61. Donald Trump has said that he is not releasing his tax returns because he is currently being audited by the IRS. Do you believe that this is the reason he is not releasing his tax returns, or not? Yes/Audit 32% 57% 12% 29% 34% 30% 30% 40% No/Not the audit DK/NA Yes/Audit 25% 28% 36% 38% 36% 34% 35% 24% No/Not the audit DK/NA Yes/Audit 11% 59% No/Not the audit DK/NA Do you believe that Donald Trump makes controversial statements because he wants attention from voters and the media, or because he genuinely holds these controversial opinions? Wants attention 51% 36% 61% 58% 57% 47% 57% 46% Holds opinions DK/NA Wants attention 65% 50% 50% 45% 58% 46% 52% 51% Holds opinions DK/NA Wants attention 63% 37% Holds opinions DK/NA

21 63. Do you think the way Donald Trump talks appeals to bigotry, or not? Yes 61% 27% 91% 61% 55% 65% 61% 51% No DK/NA Yes 76% 66% 56% 49% 51% 62% 56% 73% No DK/NA Yes 94% 20% No 3 75 DK/NA Do you think being a woman will make Hillary Clinton a better President, make her a worse President, or won't it have an impact either way? Better 11% 1% 25% 7% 9% 14% 10% 10% Worse No Impact DK/NA Better 12% 10% 11% 14% 8% 11% 10% 16% Worse No Impact DK/NA Better 21% 1% Worse 2 11 No Impact DK/NA

22 65. Do you think Hillary Clinton does or does not believe that she has to play by the same rules as everyone else? Yes/Does believe 42% 17% 76% 30% 33% 49% 40% 32% No/Does not believe DK/NA Yes/Does believe 40% 42% 41% 42% 26% 45% 36% 58% No/Does not believe DK/NA Yes/Does believe 72% 12% No/Does not believe DK/NA Did the controversy over Hillary Clinton's use of a private server change your opinion of her honesty, or not? Yes 34% 49% 16% 38% 35% 33% 32% 41% No DK/NA Yes 53% 26% 33% 29% 37% 36% 37% 25% No DK/NA Yes 19% 48% No DK/NA