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Q-Poll: Clinton, Trump Virtually Tied Before Debate

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and wealthy developer Donald Trump are virtually tied, 44-43 respectively, in the latest Quinnipiac University poll released hours before their first, nationally televised debate.
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and wealthy developer Donald Trump are virtually tied, 44-43 respectively, in the latest Quinnipiac University poll released hours before their first, nationally televised debate.

Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump head into their first presidential debate virtually tied in the latest Quinnipiac University poll.

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and wealthy developer Donald Trump are virtually tied, 44-43 respectively, in the latest Quinnipiac University poll released hours before their first, nationally televised debate.
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and wealthy developer Donald Trump are virtually tied, 44-43 respectively, in the latest Quinnipiac University poll released hours before their first, nationally televised debate.

Pollster Tim Malloy says the stakes are high because many of the anticipated 100 million viewers will be paying attention to the race for the first time.

“I think people are watching, No. 1 for demeanor, whether this will become a slugfest, but clearly for policy as well. That’s where the pressure is on Trump because he’s been thin on policy and how boned up will he be?”

The poll shows Clinton leading Trump 44-43, well within the margin of error, in a four-way race with Libertarian Gary Johnson getting 8 percent. Clinton leads Trump 47-46 in a straight, head-to-head matchup.

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Jim Ash is a reporter at WFSU-FM. A Miami native, he is an award-winning journalist with more than 20 years of experience, most of it in print. He has been a member of the Florida Capital Press Corps since 1992.