New Colorado Poll: Obama Hits The Rocks In The Rockies, Christie Leads Clinton

November 20, 2013 - Christie Leads Clinton In Colorado In 2016 Race, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Obama Hits The Rocks In The Rockies In an early look at the 2016 race for the White House, New Jersey Republican Gov. Christopher Christie tops former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton 46 - 38 percent in Colorado, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. This compares to results of an August 23 survey by the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN- uh-pe-ack) University, showing Gov. Christie with 43 percent and Secretary Clinton at 42 percent, a tie. In today's survey, Clinton runs neck and with other possible Republican candidates; Clinton at 44 percent to 47 percent for U.S. Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky; Clinton and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas tied at 44 - 44 percent; Clinton at 43 percent to 45 percent for U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin. Colorado voters say 48 - 29 percent that Christie would make a good president. The other contenders, including Clinton, don't have what it takes, voters say, ranging from a negative 46 - 49 percent for Clinton to a negative 24 - 66 percent for Vice President Joseph Biden. "The race might be hypothetical, but the lead is very real. Coloradans showing the love for Garden State Gov. Christopher Christie, who for the first time in running well ahead of Hillary Clinton," said Tim Malloy, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. President's Approval Rating

Colorado voters disapprove 59 - 36 percent of the job President Barack Obama is doing, his worst approval rating in any state or national Quinnipiac University poll since he was elected. Even women disapprove by 52 - 41 percent, while men disapprove 66 - 31 percent. Disapproval is 98 - 2 percent among Republicans and 65 - 27 percent among independent voters, while Democrats approve 78 - 15 parent.

"President Barack Obama hits the rocks in the Rockies," Malloy said. "Republicans are singing, 'Rocky Mountain low, Obama's in the snow.'"' Colorado voters oppose the Affordable Care Act 56 - 40 percent, with opposition at 96 - 3 percent among Republicans and 59 - 35 percent among independent voters. Democrats support the ACA 83 - 14 percent. The ACA will make the quality of healthcare they receive worse in the next year, 45 percent of voters say, while 18 percent say healthcare will get better and 34 percent expect no difference. (Full Story)