Polls: Hillary Trailing in Iowa, Sucking Wind on Trustworthiness...Among Democrats

Remember that kid who told Hillary face-to-face that many young voters find her dishonest? It seems as though he speaks for quite a lot of voters within her own party. A new

Washington Post/ABC News poll of Democrats shows her lagging behind Bernie Sanders by double digits in the honesty department, perhaps suggesting that cynical, mendacious performances like this aren't helping:

Clinton’s single greatest vulnerability has worsened in this poll, produced for ABC by Langer Research Associates: Sanders now leads by 12 points, 48-36 percent, in being seen as more honest and trustworthy, vs. 6 points last month and an even split in October. Should Clinton emerge as the nominee, it’s an issue the Republican candidate likely will repeat at every chance. Further, the candidates are virtually even, 47-43 percent, Clinton-Sanders, on who “is closer to you on the issues,” down from a 17-point Clinton lead just last month. And it’s close (Clinton +7) on who’d do a better job “bringing needed change to Washington.”

Her trustworthiness ratings are terrible among the general electorate, probably because she lies -- often, flagrantly, and without shame. As for those other two metrics, a few thoughts: First, nearly half of Democrats embrace Bernie Sanders' stances on issues. This is a man who honeymooned with his comrades in the Soviet Union during the Cold War (yes, that's actually true), believes the government should forcibly take over much more of the nation's economy, who has proposed

nearly $20 trillion in tax increases over the next ten years to fund his massive expansion of the State, and who believes our unjust capitalist system provides American consumers with too many choices in footwear and deodorant. As I've written previously, will the press ever get around to concern-trolling about how radical and extreme the Democratic base has become, or will they remain too busy knocking Republicans on those grounds? Second, pardon me, but on what planet does Hillary Clinton represent change? She's an Obama clone on issues, and she's been an entrenched member of the DC ruling class elite for decades. In the Democratic primary, Sanders is obviously the change candidate. He believes Obama's sharp left turn wasn't nearly dramatic enough. Hillary Clinton is campaigning as a status quo incumbent -- if you love the state of the economy, Obamacare and our foreign policy posture, vote for me. With Bernie's gigantic lead in New Hampshire solidifying, Hillary is focusing on Iowa to avoid getting swept in the first two nominating contests. How's that going? She's tied the RCP polling average, but new numbers from Quinnipiac suggest that the Vermont Socialist has a shot at upending her:

With strong support from men, very liberal and younger voters, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders takes 49 percent of Iowa likely Democratic Caucus participants, with 45 percent for former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and 4 percent for former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. This is virtually unchanged from results of a January 12 survey by the independent Quinnipiac University showing Sanders at 49 percent, with 44 percent for Clinton and 4 percent for O'Malley. Today, 2 percent are undecided and 19 percent of those who name a candidate say they might change their mind. The gender gap remains as men back Sanders 63 - 32 percent, while women back Clinton 54 - 40 percent.

That gender gap is extraordinary. Bernie is (+31) among Democratic men, with Clinton just (+14) with women. A sign of things to come in a general election setting, perhaps? I'll leave you with this: