Poll: Hillary Clinton would beat likely Republican nominees

WASHINGTON, July 24 (UPI) -- Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton would defeat any of five possible Republican U.S. presidential nominees, a poll released Wednesday indicated.

Clinton's lead in the Marist-McClatchy poll ranged from 6 percentage points against New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, to 16 against Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., the Republican vice presidential nominee last year, Roll Call reported. She would defeat former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush by 7 points and Sens. Marco Rubio of Florida and Rand Paul of Kentucky by 12.

The one-time first lady, who also served in the U.S. Senate, was the overwhelming choice of Democratic respondents to the poll with 63 percent supporting her as the party's nominee. Vice President Joe Biden was the choice of only 13 percent, fewer than the 18 percent who were undecided.

On the Republican side, 25 percent were undecided. Christie had the support of 15 percent, followed by Ryan at 13, Rubio 12, Bush 10, Paul 9, and Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas 7.

The poll didn't match Clinton against Cruz.

About two-thirds of Republicans said having a candidate with good conservative principles was more important than electability.

The poll's sample size was 1,204 adults. They were surveyed July 15 -18. The margin of error is 3.1 percentage points.