Warren the big winner after last debate, but Biden still leads
Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren was the big winner in the second round of Democratic presidential debates, but former Vice President Joseph Biden retains his front-runner status with 32 percent of Democrats and independent voters who lean Democratic, according to a Quinnipiac University National Poll released this week.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren has 21 percent among Democrats, with 14 percent for Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and 7 percent for California Sen. Kamala Harris.
This compares to results of a July 29 survey by the independent Quinnipiac University National Poll, showing Biden with 34 percent, Warren with 15 percent, Harris with 12 percent and Sanders with 11 percent.
In the latest results:
- Biden gets 47 percent of black Democrats, with 16 percent for Sanders, 8 percent for Warren and 1 percent for Harris;
- Women Democrats go 31 percent for Biden, 24 percent for Warren, 10 percent for Sanders and 7 percent for Harris;
- Very liberal Democrats go 40 percent for Warren, 20 percent for Sanders, 19 percent for Biden and 7 percent for Harris;
- Somewhat liberal Democrats go 28 percent for Biden, 20 percent for Warren, 14 percent for Sanders and 10 percent for Harris;
- Moderate/conservative Democrats go 43 percent for Biden, 11 percent for Warren, 9 percent for Sanders, and 4 percent each for Harris and South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg.
- Buttigieg gets 5 percent and New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker and former U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke have 2 percent each. There are 4 candidates with 1 percent each and 14 candidates at less than 1 percent each.
“Biden survives, Warren thrives and Harris dives as debate number two shakes up the primary,” said Tim Malloy, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll.
“Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s policy heavy presentation and former Vice President Joseph Biden’s ability to handle the heat from all corners put them on top,” Malloy added. “Sen. Kamala Harris, whose 20 percent score put her neck-and-neck with Biden in a Quinnipiac University poll July 2 after the first debate, is now a distant fourth with 7 percent.
“Take a snapshot now, because for most of the contenders registering one percentage point or less, there will likely be no debate number three.”
Biden would be the best leader, 33 percent of Democrats and Democratic leaners say, with 22 percent for Warren, 13 percent for Sanders and 7 percent for Harris.
Warren has the best policy ideas, 32 percent of Democrats say, with 17 percent for Biden, 16 percent for Sanders and 5 percent each for Harris and Buttigieg.
Biden has the best chance of beating President Donald Trump in the general election, 49 percent of Democrats say, with 12 percent for Sanders, 9 percent for Warren and 6 percent for Harris.
While 50 percent of Democrats and Democratic leaners prefer a presidential candidate who is “most electable,” 46 percent prefer a candidate who most shares their views on issues.
From August 1 – 5, Quinnipiac University surveyed 807 Democrats and independent voters leaning Democratic with a margin of error of +/- 4.1 percentage points, including the design effect.
For more information on the poll, click here.
