Jennifer Jacobs

jejacobs@dmreg.com

HILLARY CLINTON

Horse race rank: No. 1

Support: 45 percent, up from 42 percent

It’s time for a woman to be president, 80 percent of likely caucusgoers say — and 42 percent feel strongly about it.

The former U.S. secretary of state faces a deep deficit with younger voters, but makes up for it with older voters, who make up a bigger portion of the Democratic electorate.

Clinton captures 65 percent of caucusgoers age 65 and older, while Sanders gets only 27 percent.

Far more high-income voters prefer Clinton: 57 percent of those with an income of $100,000 or more pick her; 28 percent choose Sanders.

And Clinton wins with 60 percent of caucusgoers who think the system works reasonably well for those who work hard to get ahead, although two-thirds of the Democratic electorate think the system is rigged.

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Her favorability rating is 81 percent, right behind Sanders at 82 percent. Eighty-six percent have positive feelings about former President Bill Clinton, and 90 percent about President Barack Obama.

Asked if they’d be enthusiastic if she becomes the nominee, 73 percent said yes –— and 53 percent are “very” enthusiastic.

BERNIE SANDERS

Horse race rank: No. 2

Support: 42 percent, up from 40 percent

The candidate who would be the oldest president in history upon election fares very well with the youngest Democratic voters in Iowa. Among those under 35, 63 percent give the Vermont U.S. senator their support, and just 27 percent back Clinton.

First-time caucusgoers prefer Sanders (53 percent) over Clinton (34 percent). But this group makes up a relatively small portion of the caucus electorate.

Among voters who think the system is rigged against all but the very rich and powerful, Sanders wins with 50 percent, compared with Clinton’s 39 percent.

Fifty-one percent say Sanders is the candidate who cares most about people like them.

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He also has an advantage with men: He leads by 5 points. But Clinton overrides that with a 10-point lead with women — and a majority of the Democratic caucus electorate is female.

Those without a religious affiliation like Sanders better (67 percent), while 27 percent back Clinton.

Sanders wins with independents, 55 percent to 30 percent.

Liberals go for Sanders (51 percent) over Clinton (41 percent).

MARTIN O’MALLEY

Horse race rank: No. 3

Support: 3 percent, down from 4 percent

Fully 41 percent don’t know enough about O’Malley to rate their feelings toward him. Forty-six percent have positive feelings.