Hillary gains bigger lead over Trump in poll; Khan episode badly hits GOP nominee

Washington, Aug 8: Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton has continued to strengthen her lead over her Republican rival Donald Trump after the conventions of the two major parties got over last month. [Jeb Bush's son backs Trump]

According a new Washington Post-ABC News poll, the former US secretary of state has seen her support among the Democrats consolidating while that among the Republicans for her rival failing to take a concrete shape. [Hillary short-circuited: Trump]

The poll showed Clinton and vice-presidential nominee Tim Kaine were leading over Trump and his running mate Mike Pence by 50 to 42 per cent among the registered voters. The lead was double the lead the Democrats had on the eve of the Republican convention which started in Cleveland, Ohio, on July 18. While among the likely voters, the Democratic candidate was leading by seven points (51 to 44 per cent).

When the four-way race is seen including Libertarian Party nominee Gary Johnson and Green Party candidate Jill Stein, the former first lady lead Trump by eight points (45 to 37 per cent), Johnson (8 per cent) by 37 points and Stein (4 per cent) by 41 points.

The poll proved that Clinton benefited from Trump's endless tryst with controversies, particularly his sharp criticism of the family of a slain Muslim American soldier. The soldier's father lashed out at Trump at the Democratic convention and the spat saw Trump being criticised harshly by various personalities---including President Barack Obama and billionaire Warren Buffet. [Don't you have a sense of decency, Buffet asks Trump]

74% registered voters disapproved of Trump's handling of Khan issue

While 13 per cent of the registered voters approved of Trump's handling of the issue with the Khan family, a whopping 74 per cent didn't, the poll said. [Khizr Khan shakes US presidential race]

In fact, the poll also revealed the American voters' continuous dissatisfaction with the choice in this election. Almost six out of 10 registered voters said they were not okay with either Clinton or Trump as candidates of the two major parties, something which remained the same since mid-July.

Oneindia News