McCain least popular?

A new poll claims Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) is the least popular senator in the country. 

Thirty percent of Arizonans approve of McCain, compared to 54 percent who disapprove, according to a poll released Thursday by Democratic firm Public Policy Polling (PPP). 

McCain, who’s serving his fifth term in the Senate, has become unpopular with Republicans, Democrats and independents, the survey says. Only 35 percent of Republicans reportedly approve of him, as do a quarter of independents. 

PPP said the results would make McCain the least popular senator in the United States, but did not provide any additional ratings of other senators to support that claim. 

{mosads}The Republican isn’t up for reelection until 2016 and hasn’t made clear whether he intends to run again. In January, he did hold a fundraiser, a move that suggested he wants to stick around. 

In a hypothetical match-up with 2012 Democratic nominee Richard Carmona, whom Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) defeated, McCain trails 41 percent to 35 percent.

The survey found McCain would also trail former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) 42 to 35 percent. In a race against former Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano, McCain would lead 44 percent to 36 percent.

As for the 2016 presidential race, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R) leads former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton among Arizonans 45 percent to 44 percent. Clinton, however, leads New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) 44 to 41 percent in the state, and also leads Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (R). 

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) leads the hypothetical Republican primary field in Arizona with 16 percent support, the poll indicates.

In his 2008 Oval Office bid, McCain won Arizona with 53 percent of the vote and President Obama received 45 percent. 

Mitt Romney took Arizona in 2012 with 52 percent of the vote, and Obama held at 45 percent.