Republicans happier with 2016 field than previous races

by Jesse Byrnes - 05/20/15 1:40 PM ET

Republicans are much happier about 2016’s crop of presidential candidates than they were at this point in the last two White House races, according to a new Pew Research Center poll.

Fifty-seven percent of Republicans and registered voters leaning right voice a good or excellent opinion of GOP hopefuls in the poll, up 13 points from May 2011.

Republicans’ spirits for the 2016 race, which is chalking up to include the most crowded field of candidates in recent memory, are also loftier than in 2007, when half voiced a favorable opinion.

{mosads}All declared and likely candidates in the poll are more viewed favorably than not.

Former Florida Gov. Bush, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, Sen. Rand Paul (Ky.) and Sen. Marco Rubio (Fla.) are all viewed favorably by a majority of Republicans and those leaning right.

Meanwhile, Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton is viewed favorably by 77 percent of Democrats and those leaning left. The general public is split, with 49 percent viewing her favorably and 47 percent unfavorably.

Clinton’s favorability has fallen nine points since August 2014, and 49 percent is her lowest mark since she ran for president in the spring of 2008.

Interest in the presidential race has ticked up among registered voters to 66 percent, up 8 points in two months. Less than a third, 29 percent, say they are paying “a lot” of attention to the race.

The survey of 2,002 adults, including many registered voters, was conducted May 12-18 via landlines and cellphones with a margin of error of 2.5 points overall and 4.5 to 5 points for specific parties.

Tags Hillary Clinton Marco Rubio Rand Paul