Clinton’s Standing Falls 8 Points Among Democrats

A poll shows that voters view Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton as “less decisive and inspiring than when she launched her presidential campaign just three months ago,” The Associated Press reports.

Just 39 percent of all Americans have a favorable view of Clinton, compared to nearly half who say they have a negative opinion of her. That’s an eight-point increase in her unfavorable rating from an AP-GfK poll conducted at the end of April.

The drop in Clinton’s numbers extends into the Democratic Party. Seven in 10 Democrats gave Clinton positive marks, an 11-point drop from the April survey. Nearly a quarter of Democrats now say they see Clinton in an unfavorable light.

“I used to like her, but I don’t trust her,” said Donald Walters of Louisville, Kentucky. “Ever since she’s announced her candidacy for the presidency I just haven’t liked the way she’s handled things. She doesn’t answer questions directly.”

While Clinton has spent decades in the public eye, she’s focused in recent months on creating a more relatable — and empathetic — image. In public events, she frequently talks about her new granddaughter, Charlotte, and references her early career as a legal advocate for impoverished children.

The survey suggests that voters aren’t sold on her reinvention: Only 4 in 10 voters say they view Clinton as “compassionate.” Just 3 in 10 said the word “honest” described her either very or somewhat well.

Comparing Clinton to Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, another candidate, and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who is not in the race, one respondent said: “She’s piggybacking on some of the things they’ve been talking about. … I don’t think she comes across very genuine. She just seems a little stiff to me.”

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— Posted by Alexander Reed Kelly.