National poll: Clinton has 6-point lead over Trump

Hillary Clinton has a 6-point national lead over Donald Trump, according to a new Politico/Morning Consult poll of likely voters.

{mosads}In a four-way matchup, Clinton, the Democratic presidential nominee, is favored by 42 percent of likely voters and Trump, the Republican nominee, is backed by 36 percent. Libertarian nominee Gary Johnson has the support of 9 percent of likely voters, and Green Party nominee Jill Stein is backed by 2 percent. Another 10 percent of voters are undecided.

Clinton expands her lead over Trump to 7 points in a head-to-head matchup, 46 percent to 39 percent.

The poll follows the first presidential debate of 2016 and a week in which Trump was embroiled in controversy surrounding his comments about former Miss Universe Alicia Machado’s weight.

The poll found 74 percent of likely voters had heard about Trump’s comments regarding the former Miss Universe, and 55 percent of women said it gives them a less favorable view of the GOP nominee.

Another 43 percent of voters say the controversy makes them less likely to support Trump.

The poll also found 56 percent of voters think it would be inappropriate to bring up former President Bill Clinton’s affairs. Among women, 62 percent say it would be inappropriate.

Voters expect Hillary Clinton to come out victorious in the next presidential debate, scheduled for Sunday evening. Forty-four percent of likely voters think Clinton will win the debate, while only 22 percent say the same of Trump.

The poll, conducted from Sept. 30 to Oct. 2 among 1,991 likely voters, has a margin of error is 2 percentage points.

According to the RealClearPolitics average of polls, Clinton has 2.5-point national lead in a head-to-head matchup, 47.5 percent to 45 percent.