Clinton makes pitch to black ministers ahead of SC primary

Meanwhile, Hillary Clinton tops Bernie Sanders by 18 points in the state’s Democratic primary, which will be held a week later.

Both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump maintain strong leads over their opponents heading into their respective primaries in SC, according to the latest CNN/ORC polling released on Tuesday. Moreover, in other states that vote in March and where blacks are less prominent, Democratic voters have mostly described themselves as moderate or conservative: 63% did so in Oklahoma in 2008, for example, as did 60% in Ohio. But the polls have dramatically narrowed since Sanders’s New Hampshire victory, with a Wednesday morning CNN poll showing the race all but tied.

However, 83 percent of the respondents said Clinton has a good chance to succeed President Barack Obama into office this November, while 69 percent said the same of Sanders.

Nevada Democratic caucusgoers view both Clinton and Sanders as representing Democratic values, so the idea that Clinton is more of a “real Democrat” than Sanders isn’t swaying voters.

The survey shows Clinton boasts a clear advantage over Sanders on handling several key issues, including health (55% to 39%), race relations (58% to 38%), immigration (56% to 37%) and foreign policy (68% to 28%).

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Florida) trailed with 19% support, followed by Sen.

Looking at the those who favor Trump, PPP said Trump’s support in SC, “is built on a base of voters among whom religious and racial intolerance pervades”. He takes 40 percent of whites in the state, 41 percent of those over 65 years old and 36 percent of conservatives – all close to his overall support regardless of group.

Quinnipiac’s previous survey, released February 5, showed Trump with 31% support, compared to Cruz’s 22% and Rubio’s 19%. Among those likely caucusgoers who call the economy their top issue in choosing a candidate, more support Sanders: 52 percent back him vs. 43 percent for Clinton.

Sanders’ rise in Nevada is likely bolstered in part by his success in early contests, his recent focus on systemic racism and criminal justice reform and his enthusiastic support from younger white voters.

The CNN/ORC South Carolina poll was conducted by telephone February 10-15 among a random sample of 1,006 adult residents of the state.

The Democratic caucus electorate is less diverse, but minority voters still make up at least 30 percent of that group.