Christie, Clinton hottest on Quinnipiac thermometer

HAMDEN, Conn., Aug. 5 (UPI) -- New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton are the hottest politicians on the Quinnipiac University national poll thermometer.

Finishing third behind Christie, a Republican, and Clinton, a Democrat, was Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., although 51 percent of voters said they don't know enough about the newly elected senator to rate her, the Quinnipiac University Thermometer released Monday indicated.

Christie, at 53.1 degrees on the thermometer, Clinton, standing at 52.1 degrees, and Warren, registering 49.2 degrees, were hotter than President Barack Obama, who was at 47.6 degrees, polling officials at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Conn., indicated.

"Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's score is not surprising given her lengthy political career and especially strong support among Democrats and women," said Peter Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "But Gov. Christopher Christie's rating is impressive given that his experience -- less than four years as governor -- pales compared to Mrs. Clinton's resume."

Chilling out at the bottom were Democratic House Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., at 38.4 degrees; Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell, 37.5 degrees; Republican House Speaker John Boehner, 36.7 degrees and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, 33.8 degrees.

Results are based on nationwide telephone interviews with 1,468 registered voters from July 28-31. The Margin of error is 2.6 percentage points.