The poll still shows Democrats more likely to give Clinton the benefit of the doubt, but Independents show the same hardened view as Republicans. That is a matter of concern for the Clinton camp. Clinton has relied on the hardest core Democrats (and the DNC leadership) to guarantee her nomination. However, she now needs to secure the Independent vote, particularly given the alienation from her showed in polls for groups like white males.
Overall, 56 percent disapprove of FBI Director James Comey’s recommendation not to charge Clinton, while just 35 percent approve. Similarly, 57 percent say the incident makes them worried about how Clinton might act as president if she is elected, with most very worried about it. Just 39 percent feel the issue isn’t related to how she would perform as president. Those are truly horrible numbers for a presidential candidate going into a political convention.
Notably, the 35 and 39 percent seems to reflect Clinton’s hardcore base numbers. Once again, she is fortunate thus far to be running against Donald Trump who equals her in negative polling numbers. The two candidates now stand as the least popular in U.S. history to run for the presidency. The latest poll shows a statistical dead heat with Clinton’s lead shrinking to just three points over Trump.