That makes Trump and Clinton viewed more unfavorably than any front-runner for either party since 1984, when CBS began polling voters on the question.
On the Republican side, Trump scores a net negative of -33, with a favorable rating of 24% compared to 57% of voters who view him unfavorably. On the Democratic side, Clinton fares only slightly better with a net negative of -21, registering a 31% favorable rating and a 52% unfavorable rating, according to the poll.
Both candidates’ negatives far outweigh front-runners of the past. In 2012,
President Barack Obama was viewed favorably and unfavorably by an equal share of voters, while Republican nominee
Mitt Romney scored a net negative of -7. In 2008, both Obama and Sen.
John McCainhad net positive ratings of 16 and 7 points, respectively.
The previous highest unfavorable rating since 1984 actually belongs to another Clinton — former President Bill Clinton, who in 1992 had a net negative rating of -17.
Most have low opinions of the two political parties as a whole as well — though the Republican Party is viewed far less favorably than the Democratic Party.
Just 28% hold a favorable opinion of the Republican Party, compared to 46% of voters who view the Democratic Party favorably. Overall, 66% of Americans have a negative view of the GOP, which CBS says matches the lowest rating ever recorded in CBS polling.
The CBS/NYT poll also surveyed voters on hypothetical general election match-ups.
In a Clinton-Trump election, Clinton leads the billionaire businessman by 10 points. Against Texas Sen.
Ted Cruz, Clinton is ahead by 3 points. And her lead disappears when matched up against Ohio Gov.
John Kasich, who would beat Clinton by 4 points.
Vermont Sen.
Bernie Sanders, Clinton’s primary rival, performs better in a hypothetical contest with Trump. He leads the Republican front-runner by 15 points due to his strong support among independent voters, according to the poll.
