Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) defeats Hillary Clinton in Colorado, one of the most important swing states, and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) is tied with her in the same poll even though the Washington establishment derides Paul and Cruz as the two candidates they believe will be disasters in a general election.

In a Quinnipiac poll released on Wednesday, Paul leads Clinton 47% to 44% while Cruz is tied with Clinton at 44%. Paul beats Clinton among independents in Colorado, 49%-38%, while Cruz beats Clinton with independents, 44%-39%, in hypothetical 2016 match-ups. New Jersey Republican Governor Chris Christie beats Clinton by eight points in the survey and Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) defeats her by two.

In Colorado, a majority unfavorably views both political parties and 59% disapprove of Obama, 56% oppose Obamacare, and a plurality (45%) believe they will get worse health care under the law. Colorado voters are split on whom to blame for the government shutdown (44% blame Obama while 47% blame Congress).