For all the concern-trolling about how Donald Trump might somehow manage to grab the Republican nomination but he will never, ever, ever beat Hillary in the general, you might want to check the latest Fox News poll before you swallow that one:
Clinton 44% Bush 44%
Clinton 44% Trump 47%
Clinton 43% Cruz 50%
Clinton 41% Rubio 50%
The good news for Hillary is that Fox didn't poll a head-to-head between her and Jim Gilmore, so it's possible she might still maintain an edge in that one.
I've never put much stock in super-early polls, and I think it's still super early, but there's one thing you can glean from the poll: There's a huge chasm between the way the political class views Hillary (experienced, ready, smart, accomplished, qualified, prepared, serious, etc.) and growing perception of the public (corrupt, dishonest, shrill, self-interested, not really all that smart, etc.). That's especially relevant in a media environment that views Hillary as an esteemed person of seriousness, but views Trump as some sort of clown.
As for the gaps between her and both Rubio and Cruz, it certainly doesn't mean either of the two Republican senators has closed the sale with the public, but it does mean the public rejects the narrative of the political class that these guys are embarrassing jokes while she oozes gravitas.
But let's focus on the Trump/Hillary matchup for a second. The punditry looks at Trump and shrieks with horror: Can you actually imagine this man as president? What they don't seem to get is that far more people look at Hillary and have that very reaction. They may not think her dishonesty and corruption matter, but we do. They may not think it's important that she lies as naturally as she breathes, but we do. They may not think her utter lack of accomplishment throughout her entire public life is relevant, but we do. They may not recognize her entire career has happened by hanging onto her husband's coattails, and that she in her own right was completely unqualified for the positions she's already had - let alone the one she now seeks. But we do.
I do not fail to recognize the issues with a prospective Donald Trump presidency. Some of them are very serious. But given a choice between Trump and Hillary Clinton, the decision to choose Trump is as easy as putting a coat on when it's cold. Because the character flaws and professional shortcomings of Hillary Clinton outweigh any shortcomings of Donald Trump many times over. That as long been my view of Hillary as all of you know if you've read me for any length of time. But increasingly, it becomes clear that this is not just the view of committed right-wingers. Mainstream voters can clearly see what this woman is, and they do not want her as president.
That doesn't mean she couldn't still win. The Republican nominee could run a horrible campaign. The media could find ways to drag her across the finish line as they did with Obama in 2012. But as we've always said, the more high-profile Hillary is, the worse her numbers are because people find the propaganda-based idea of Hillary! much more appealing than the reality of the person in question. And unfortunately for her (and the rest of us), she's going to have to be everywhere when the campaign kicks into full gear.
Far from some juggernaut who will be extremely difficult to beat because of her name, her political skills, her money, etc., she's one of the most flawed and unappealing candidates ever to run for president - and she can only win in spite of herself. This poll shows that the public has figured that out.
