For America’s two biggest political dynasties, not everything old is new again.
A new NBC/Wall Street Journal/Annenberg poll finds that near-majorities believe that Jeb Bush and Hillary Clinton, both possible 2016 presidential candidates, would each “represent too much of a return to the policies of the past” as president.
“If Bush and Clinton succeed in getting their party’s nomination, it will be a ‘back to the future’ race for the 2016 presidential election,” says Democratic pollster Peter Hart.
Asked about Jeb Bush, the brother of former president George W. Bush and the son of George H.W. Bush, 48 percent of respondents said his potential presidency would be a throwback, versus 30 percent who said he would “provide the new ideas and vision the country will need.”
Hillary Clinton, the former first lady and secretary of state, fared just slightly better. Forty-nine percent said a Clinton presidency would represent a return to the past, but 42 percent suggested she has the right “new ideas.”
Unsurprisingly, views of both potential White House bidders break largely on partisan lines, with Democrats and independents more likely to yawn about a Bush candidacy and Republicans viewing Clinton as a blast from the past. But Bush struggles even with Republicans, too, with almost one-third of all GOPers and 36% of Tea Party supporters describing him as a relic of yesteryear.
For Clinton, a majority of white women – 53% - say her presidency would harken too much back to past years. A similar majority of all women under age 50 – 52% - say she would bring fresh ideas to the White House.
The survey of 1,207 registered voters was conducted June 9 – June 15. The margin of error is +/- 3.48.
