Story highlights
Both of the remaining Democratic candidates for president easily top Republican front-runner Donald Trump in hypothetical general election match-ups, according to a new CNN/ORC poll
Clinton tops Trump 52% to 44% among registered voters
(CNN) —
Both of the remaining Democratic candidates for president easily top Republican front-runner Donald Trump in hypothetical general election match-ups, according to a new CNN/ORC Poll.
Which candidate fits you? Try CNN’s Candidate Matchmaker
But Hillary Clinton, who is well ahead in the Democratic race for the presidency, would likely face a stronger challenge should Florida Sen. Marco Rubio or Texas Sen. Ted Cruz capture the Republican nomination for president.
READ: The complete CNN/ORC poll results
In the scenario that appears most likely to emerge from the primary contests, Clinton tops Trump 52% to 44% among registered voters. That result has tilted in Clinton’s favor since the last CNN/ORC Poll on the match-up in January.
But when the former secretary of state faces off with either of the other two top Republicans, things are much tighter and roughly the same as they were in January. Clinton trails against Rubio, with 50% choosing the Florida senator compared to 47% for Clinton, identical to the results in January. Against Cruz, Clinton holds 48% to his 49%, a slight tightening from a 3-point race in January to a 1-point match-up now.
Super Tuesday: What to watch
01:13 - Source: CNN
States can actually limit free speech on Election Day
electioneering explainer danny cevallos orig_00001425.jpg
Now playing
States can actually limit free speech on Election Day
PHOTO:
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) speaks during a campaign rally with democratic presidential nominee former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at University of New Hampshire on September 28, 2016 in Durham, New Hampshire.
Now playing
Remembering the campaigns we lost
They made it to the White House despite scandals
PHOTO:
Getty Images
history of the october surprise foreman ac pkg_00005811.jpg
Now playing
The history of the October surprise
36 years of election nights on CNN
Watch 10 elections get called on CNN in one minute
PHOTO:
CNN
hillary clinton rally daytona beach fbi investigation sot_00002801.jpg
Now playing
Clinton calls FBI director's actions unprecedented
trump voter id podesta fact check origwx bw_00004624.jpg
Now playing
Fact check: Trump on undocumented immigrants and voting
hillary clinton rally time lapse origwx bw_00004417.jpg
Now playing
Hillary Clinton's historic night in time-lapse
PHOTO:
John Moore/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 23: Anthony Weiner, a leading candidate for New York City mayor, stands with his wife Huma Abedin during a press conference on July 23, 2013 in New York City. Weiner addressed news of new allegations that he engaged in lewd online conversations with a woman after he resigned from Congress for similar previous incidents. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)
Now playing
Clinton's history with Anthony Weiner
PHOTO:
CNN
Many North Carolina voters remain undecided in upcoming presidential election_00001405.jpg
Now playing
Some North Carolina voters hesitant to pick a candidate
PHOTO:
CNN
joe biden hillary clinton election intv sot smerconish _00000000.jpg
Now playing
Biden: I thought I could beat Hillary Clinton
cnnee pkg rodriguez clinton global iniciative hillary emails_00002301.jpg
Now playing
Hillary Clinton's explanations of her email saga
Gary Johnson snaps at reporter
PHOTO:
Mark Makela/Getty Images North America
Democratic Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and US Vice President Joe Biden acknowledge the crowd at Riverfront Sports athletic facility on August 15, 2016 in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
Now playing
Biden on Clinton's Secretary of State list?
Sanders – who enjoys the most positive favorable rating of any presidential candidate in the field, according to the poll – tops all three Republicans by wide margins: 57% to 40% against Cruz, 55% to 43% against Trump, and 53% to 45% against Rubio. Sanders fares better than Clinton in each match-up among men, younger voters and independents.
