Sanders beats Clinton (again) in latest matchups vs GOP

APRIL 4, 2016 — In voter surveys released April 4, Sanders extended his massive winning streak in eight new matchups against Trump, Cruz and Kasich, outperforming Clinton by 4 to 10 points in these matchups. In the new poll results, Sanders was undefeated against the GOP. However, Clinton was not, a worrisome sign of electoral weakness.
Data source: RealClearPolitics.com

Sanders vs GOP: 8 wins, 0 losses. Avg. margin over GOP: 20 points (11 excluding California).
Clinton vs GOP: 7 wins, 1 loss. Avg. margin over GOP: 13 points (4 excluding California).

Sanders outperformed Clinton in all eight matchups. In these individual matchups vs GOP candidates, he exceeded her by 4 to 10 points.

On average, Sanders outperformed Clinton by 7 points, whether or not we set aside the Dem candidates' respective California landslides in the GOP matchups.

If Sanders outperformed Clinton by 7 points with or without California, why bother making the California distinction? Glad you asked!

The anomalous California results could lull voters into a false sense of security about Clinton.

With California included, Sanders had a 20-point average lead over the GOP in the new matchups, while Clinton had a comparable 13-point average lead. Still good. No worries! 

Not so fast. Set aside California's gratifying anomaly and an alarming picture snaps into focus.

Without California, the remaining matchups still give Sanders a solid 11-point average lead over GOP candidates. But Clinton? Without the anomaly, her average lead shrinks to 4 points.

What's more, in Clinton's loss against the GOP, Kasich beat her by 7 points.

Given what's at stake in November, Clinton's thin 4-point average margin in the new GOP matchups is deeply worrying.

Voters can no longer afford the fantasy that Clinton is somehow more electable. Her consistently weaker performance in matchups against the GOP make her a liability. A big one. 

"Hold my nose and vote for Hillary" people urgently need to accept the truth: Sanders' consistent performance against the GOP makes him by far the stronger candidate.