Poll: Clinton leads Sanders by 20 points

Over half of Democratic primary voters are backing Hillary Clinton for the presidency next year, a new poll says.

Clinton commands a 20-point lead over the other 2016 Democratic White House hopefuls nationwide, according to the CBS News survey, and  earns 52 percent support from likely Democratic primary voters.

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) ranks second, with 32 percent, while former Gov. Martin O’Malley (D-Md.) is last, with 2 percent.

Thursday’s results also found that many Democrats are more certain about backing Clinton. Approximately 58 percent firmly pick Clinton, the poll said, versus 47 percent who are resolutely for Sanders.

Clinton additionally inspires high enthusiasm among likely Democratic voters nationwide, pollsters found. About 76 percent say they are excited or optimistic about a potential Clinton administration.

CBS News conducted its latest sampling of 383 Democratic primary voters via telephone Dec. 4–8. It has a 6 percent margin of error.

Clinton commands a nearly 25-point lead over Sanders nationwide, according to the latest RealClearPolitics average of samplings.

She boasts 55.4 percent, contrasted with 30.8 percent for Sanders and 2.2 percent for O’Malley.

Sanders remains competitive in the early voting state of New Hampshire, however.

The Vermont lawmaker takes 47.3 percent, edging out Clinton’s 43.3 percent in the Granite State, per the latest edition of the RealClearPolitics index there.