Voters Trust Clinton Over Obama on Economy

More voters trust Hillary Clinton to handle the economy than President Obama, according to a new Morning Consult poll — but Clinton does not enjoy any meaningful lead over whichever Republican she would face if she becomes the Democratic presidential nominee.

Twenty-nine percent of registered voters say they trust Clinton to handle the economy more than they trust Obama, while 23 percent picked Obama. Twice as many Republicans choose Clinton over Obama — 20 percent to 10 percent — and almost half of Hispanic voters pick the former Secretary of State, compared with just 21 percent who go with Obama.

Obama leads among African American voters — 45 percent to 23 percent — and among those who think the country is heading in the right direction, 46 percent to 35 percent.

Republicans and independent voters are reluctant to make a choice, however. Seven in ten GOP voters say they don’t know or have no opinion, and 55 percent of independents give the same response.

But Clinton won’t face Obama if she becomes the Democratic nominee in 2016. And about the same number of voters say they trust Clinton more, 39 percent, as those who say they trust the eventual Republican nominee, 38 percent.

Self-described independent voters are narrowly split between Clinton, who takes 30 percent, and the unnamed Republican nominee, who carries 32 percent. But moderate voters give Clinton a wide 40 percent to 27 percent edge. Majorities of Hispanic voters and African American voters choose Clinton, while the Republican nominee leads 43 percent to 35 percent among white voters.

The economy remains the most important issue for 36 percent of voters, including about a third of both Democrats and Republicans. Almost 30 percent of Republican voters say security is their top priority, while almost one in five Democrats choose health care.

The poll was conducted online from June 12 through June 15 among 2,039 registered voters. The overall margin of error is plus or minus 2 percentage points.