Trump & Sanders Hold Commanding Leads Ahead Of Pivotal New Hampshire Primaries

Ted Cruz comes into Tuesday’s presidential primary somewhat comfortable after that win in Iowa last week.

In the Monmouth University poll that surveyed 502 likely Democratic primary voters with a margin of error of 4.4 percentage points, Sanders had 52 percent support compared with Clinton’s 42 percent. Democrats are already resigned to the likelihood of a protracted primary contest following Sanders’ strong performance in Iowa.

Unpredictable and known for last-minute decisions, New Hampshire voters had been expected to help winnow the crowded Republican primary, clarifying which of the candidates would emerge as the strongest alternative to front-runners Trump and Texas Sen.

On the Democratic side of the race, meanwhile, Sanders holds a 56 to 40 percent lead over Clinton, who has gained some ground on the senator in the last week. “A third-place finish that really separates him from the other governors could also provide him just enough momentum and new resources to narrow it down to a four-candidate top tier as the field then heads for Nevada and SC”.

Christie also acknowledged it would be hard to defeat Donald Trump in the New Hampshire race, particularly since Trump has been leading all the recent polls. She declined to offer a prediction of the outcome as polls showing her facing a double-digit deficit against Bernie Sanders. Shout it out because I don’t want to – OK, you’re not allowed to say, and I never expect to hear that from you again. Rubio wilted under an attack by Christie at the debate, repeating rehearsed lines from his stump speech in defending himself against criticism that he is not experienced enough to be president. Closely behind Marco linger John Kasich, Ted Cruz and Jeb Bush, with no other Republican hopeful managing to rack up more than 10 percent of the vote. He must win to have a chance of staying competitive with the former secretary of state and first lady as the race moves to more diverse states.

Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush speaks at Town Hall in Rindge, New Hampshire.

“People just like to vote for a victor”, he said of Trump’s projected victory in New Hampshire. “And I promise I will come and visit you in the hospital”.

Trump referred to a row in September which saw him fail to correct a fan who had questioned whether Barack Obama was born in the United States.

So jumbled is the New Hampshire outcome that campaigns were still shifting their strategies right before Tuesday.

Behind Clinton’s upbeat demeanor, however, are growing concerns within her campaign about her standing with young people, who are flocking to Sanders. He slid to second and was nearly overtaken by Rubio, the third-place finisher.

After finishing behind Cruz in Iowa, Trump has spent the past week both protesting that result and stepping up more traditional campaign activities.