Washington (CNN) If Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump , the respective front-runners in the race for the Democratic and Republican nominations for president, wind up leading their respective parties into the general, voters nationwide think Clinton would most likely win in the November election, according to a new CNN/ORC Poll .

What a Clinton vs. Trump match up would look like

What a Clinton vs. Trump match up would look like 04:56

What a Clinton vs. Trump match up would look like

The poll also finds Clinton would start the general election contest with an edge over Trump on several potential presidential qualifications, with the former secretary of state widely seen as better able to handle the responsibilities of being commander in chief, more in touch with the middle class and more often aligned with Americans' views on important issues.

Overall, 56% say they think Clinton would win a match-up between the two leading candidates in November while 42% say Trump would take it. Democratic voters are more convinced that Clinton would win (87% say she would) than Republicans are about Trump (75% say he would win), and Republican voters who aren't currently backing Trump are particularly skeptical of his chances. Among that group, 40% say Clinton would win, 57% Trump, vs. 92% of Trump supporters who think he would win in November.

An earlier release from the same survey found Clinton ahead of Trump in a hypothetical general election match-up, 53% to 41% among registered voters.

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The new poll also asked which of the two candidates was better described by a range of potential presidential attributes. On those, 55% say Clinton would make a better commander in chief vs. 36% for Trump, and 51% see Clinton as more in touch with middle-class problems vs. 36% for Trump.

Photos: Who have celebrities endorsed for the 2016 election? Actor Scott Baio told Fox News host Jeanine Pirro that he's joined the Trump train because he likes Donald Trump's message and toughness. "It's very simple, because when he speaks I understand him," Baio explained. "He speaks like I speak. He communicates with people very well." Hide Caption 1 of 16 Photos: Who have celebrities endorsed for the 2016 election?



"Ted Cruz is my man," Phil Robertson, best known for his role on the A&E reality television show "Duck Dynasty," has endorsed Texas Sen. Ted Cruz for the Republican nomination."Ted Cruz is my man," he said. Hide Caption 2 of 16 Photos: Who have celebrities endorsed for the 2016 election?



"Bernie's like a kush, like the best kind of weed you can get, because he's the answer to all our problems," Chong told CNN. Comedian Tommy Chong loves Bernie Sanders and has endorsed the Vermont senator for president."Bernie's like a kush, like the best kind of weed you can get, because he's the answer to all our problems," Chong told CNN. Hide Caption 3 of 16 Photos: Who have celebrities endorsed for the 2016 election?



"I'm embarrassed to say this, but it took me far too long to start voting," Dunham told the crowd. "I had been of legal age for more than four years before I cast my first vote in the 2008 presidential election. It's not that I didn't care, but I didn't believe that me caring mattered. It was impossible for me to comprehend that one young woman checking a box after waiting in a long line could matter on a national level." Around 200 people crowded into a New Hampshire restaurant in January to see retired soccer star Abby Wambach (arms outstretched) and actress Lena Dunham (wearing the hat). Both endorsed Hillary Clinton. "I'm embarrassed to say this, but it took me far too long to start voting," Dunham told the crowd. "I had been of legal age for more than four years before I cast my first vote in the 2008 presidential election. It's not that I didn't care, but I didn't believe that me caring mattered. It was impossible for me to comprehend that one young woman checking a box after waiting in a long line could matter on a national level." Hide Caption 4 of 16 Photos: Who have celebrities endorsed for the 2016 election?



In January, Clinton and Lovato drew a crowd of largely young women to the University of Iowa campus, where Lovato vouched for Clinton. After performing her hit song "Confident," Clinton turned to a new celebrity surrogate -- singer Demi Lovato -- in an effort to win over young women in Iowa, a state where Sanders' strength depends largely on his ability to turn out the youth vote.In January, Clinton and Lovato drew a crowd of largely young women to the University of Iowa campus, where Lovato vouched for Clinton. After performing her hit song "Confident," Lovato said: "I don't think there's a woman more confident than Hillary Clinton." Hide Caption 5 of 16 Photos: Who have celebrities endorsed for the 2016 election?



"I'm voting for Bernie Sanders, because he doesn't take any corporate money," UFC champion Ronda Rousey endorsed Sanders for president."I'm voting for Bernie Sanders, because he doesn't take any corporate money," Rousey told Maxim magazine. "I don't think politicians should be allowed to take money for their campaigns from outside interests." Hide Caption 6 of 16 Photos: Who have celebrities endorsed for the 2016 election?



She told Actress Eva Longoria has been an outspoken Clinton supporter since Clinton's 2008 campaign.She told TMZ in 2013 that if Clinton ran for President, she'd "absolutely" support her. Hide Caption 7 of 16 Photos: Who have celebrities endorsed for the 2016 election?



Perry has been Katy Perry, wearing Clinton's famous H logo on her white dress, rallies Clinton supporters outside a dinner in Des Moines, Iowa, in October.Perry has been outspoken on social media about her support for Clinton. Hide Caption 8 of 16 Photos: Who have celebrities endorsed for the 2016 election? "Family Guy" creator Seth MacFarlane is a Sanders supporter. He introduced the Vermont senator at a rally in October, telling the crowd , "He's the only candidate on either side who truly seems to grasp the magnitude of the catastrophe (of climate change)." Hide Caption 9 of 16 Photos: Who have celebrities endorsed for the 2016 election?



He wrote that Sanders is "a mature, thoughtful and intelligent man." Basketball superstar Kareem Abdul-Jabbar wrote an op-ed in The Washington Post slamming GOP candidate Donald Trump and praising Sanders for how they've handled their campaigns.He wrote that Sanders is "a mature, thoughtful and intelligent man." Hide Caption 10 of 16 Photos: Who have celebrities endorsed for the 2016 election? In an interview with The New York Times magazine, musician Kid Rock said that he was "very interested" in the things Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson has to say. Hide Caption 11 of 16 Photos: Who have celebrities endorsed for the 2016 election?



Norris also endorsed Huckabee when he ran for President in 2008. Actor Chuck Norris has a very public bromance with former GOP candidate Mike Huckabee. When Huckabee announced his candidacy, Norris told The New York Times in a statement, "I still believe Mike Huckabee is the most qualified."Norris also endorsed Huckabee when he ran for President in 2008. Hide Caption 12 of 16 Photos: Who have celebrities endorsed for the 2016 election? Actor James Woods took to Twitter to say how much he admired Republican presidential candidate Carly Fiorina, saying he was "proud to support this remarkable woman and her historic campaign." Fiorina suspended her candidacy in February. Hide Caption 13 of 16 Photos: Who have celebrities endorsed for the 2016 election?



She took a selfie with Clinton, writing, "I got my selfie!!! I really loved hearing her speak & hearing her goals for our country! #HillaryForPresident." Television personality Kim Kardashian endorsed Clinton in a Facebook post shortly after the first GOP debate wrapped in August.She took a selfie with Clinton, writing, "I got my selfie!!! I really loved hearing her speak & hearing her goals for our country! #HillaryForPresident." Hide Caption 14 of 16 Photos: Who have celebrities endorsed for the 2016 election? "Pawn Stars" star Rick Harrison told CNN's Chris Moody that he endorsed Republican presidential candidate Marco Rubio, but the decision could cost him. He said he was "deeply impressed" with Rubio when he first met him, but that as a celebrity, getting political does worry him "to a degree." Hide Caption 15 of 16 Photos: Who have celebrities endorsed for the 2016 election? Rapper 50 Cent announced his support for Clinton, telling The Daily Beast , "It's Hillary time!" Hide Caption 16 of 16

The margin is narrower when voters are asked which of the two agrees with you on the issues that matter most to you, though Clinton still holds a significant lead, with 48% choosing Clinton and 40% Trump. The two are about even, however, when voters are asked who is a strong and decisive leader.

There are steep divides on each of these questions by gender, race and education, with women, non-whites and those with college degrees more apt to choose Clinton in each positive statement tested, but little of the age gap that defined the presidential elections that brought Barack Obama to the presidency and is currently prevalent in the Democratic nomination fight.

The poll also finds some doubts about the front-runners. Asked whether Trump or Clinton is better described as "a person you admire," Clinton has a 15-point lead over Trump, yet nearly one-quarter of voters say they admire neither candidate.

And 17% say neither is honest and trustworthy, though Clinton has a 5-point edge there among those who do choose a candidate. Asked who would be more likely to change their position on issues for political reasons, 47% say Clinton, 42% Trump, 6% say both do, but the share offering that neither would do that drops to 3%.

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Sanders notches the highest overall favorability among registered voters, with 48% viewing him positively vs. 45% unfavorably. That's a steep drop since last month, when 60% of registered voters overall had a positive take on the Vermont senator. Sanders has seen his ratings slip among registered Democrats and Republicans during that time, and independents' impressions of him are now evenly divided.

Both of the two front-runners -- Clinton and Trump -- are viewed unfavorably by a majority of registered voters nationwide, with 57% having a negative take on Clinton and 65% on Trump. Most say they have an unfavorable take on Texas Sen. Ted Cruz as well, 56% say so. Views of Kasich divide 43% favorable to 32% unfavorable, with 25% unsure about the Ohio governor.

Within their own parties, the candidates are generally more highly regarded. Among Democrats, 73% have a positive take on Clinton, 71% Sanders. Among Republicans, 63% see Trump favorably, 60% Cruz and 49% Kasich (that's down 10 points since February).

Amid this slate of unpopular candidates, the parties themselves aren't faring well.

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The Republican Party's unfavorable rating is at its highest level since the partial government shutdown in 2013 , when it notched its worst ratings in CNN/ORC and CNN/Gallup polling dating back to 1992. Just 34% of adults in the new poll have a positive view of the party, 61% negative. Among registered Republicans, the view is rosier, 66% have a favorable impression, but that's still down from 73% favorable in January.

Photos: Can you guess the 2016 contenders' campaign logos? Photos: Can you guess the 2016 contenders' campaign logos? Hide Caption 1 of 41 Photos: Can you guess the 2016 contenders' campaign logos? Hide Caption 2 of 41 Photos: Can you guess the 2016 contenders' campaign logos? Former Gov. Jeb Bush, R-Florida Hide Caption 3 of 41 Photos: Can you guess the 2016 contenders' campaign logos? Hide Caption 4 of 41 Photos: Can you guess the 2016 contenders' campaign logos? U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Florida Hide Caption 5 of 41 Photos: Can you guess the 2016 contenders' campaign logos? Hide Caption 6 of 41 Photos: Can you guess the 2016 contenders' campaign logos? Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Democrat Hide Caption 7 of 41 Photos: Can you guess the 2016 contenders' campaign logos? Hide Caption 8 of 41 Photos: Can you guess the 2016 contenders' campaign logos? U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, independent from Vermont running for Democratic nomination Hide Caption 9 of 41 Photos: Can you guess the 2016 contenders' campaign logos? Hide Caption 10 of 41 Photos: Can you guess the 2016 contenders' campaign logos? Real estate mogul Donald Trump, Republican Hide Caption 11 of 41 Photos: Can you guess the 2016 contenders' campaign logos? Hide Caption 12 of 41 Photos: Can you guess the 2016 contenders' campaign logos? U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas Hide Caption 13 of 41 Photos: Can you guess the 2016 contenders' campaign logos? Hide Caption 14 of 41 Photos: Can you guess the 2016 contenders' campaign logos? John Kasich, R-Ohio Hide Caption 15 of 41 Photos: Can you guess the 2016 contenders' campaign logos? Hide Caption 16 of 41 Photos: Can you guess the 2016 contenders' campaign logos? Retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson, Republican Hide Caption 17 of 41 Photos: Can you guess the 2016 contenders' campaign logos? Hide Caption 18 of 41 Photos: Can you guess the 2016 contenders' campaign logos? U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Kentucky, who has dropped out of the presidential race. Hide Caption 19 of 41 Photos: Can you guess the 2016 contenders' campaign logos? Hide Caption 20 of 41 Photos: Can you guess the 2016 contenders' campaign logos? Former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Pennsylvania, who has dropped out of the presidential race. Hide Caption 21 of 41 Photos: Can you guess the 2016 contenders' campaign logos? Hide Caption 22 of 41 Photos: Can you guess the 2016 contenders' campaign logos? Former Gov. Rick Perry, R-Texas, who has dropped out of the presidential race. Hide Caption 23 of 41 Photos: Can you guess the 2016 contenders' campaign logos? Hide Caption 24 of 41 Photos: Can you guess the 2016 contenders' campaign logos? Former Gov. George Pataki, R-New York, who has dropped out of the presidential race. Hide Caption 25 of 41 Photos: Can you guess the 2016 contenders' campaign logos? Hide Caption 26 of 41 Photos: Can you guess the 2016 contenders' campaign logos? Former Gov. Mike Huckabee, R-Arkansas, who has dropped out of the presidential race. Hide Caption 27 of 41 Photos: Can you guess the 2016 contenders' campaign logos? Hide Caption 28 of 41 Photos: Can you guess the 2016 contenders' campaign logos? Former Gov. Martin O'Malley, D-Maryland, who has dropped out of the presidential race. Hide Caption 29 of 41 Photos: Can you guess the 2016 contenders' campaign logos? Hide Caption 30 of 41 Photos: Can you guess the 2016 contenders' campaign logos? Former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina, Republican, who has dropped out of the presidential race. Hide Caption 31 of 41 Photos: Can you guess the 2016 contenders' campaign logos? Hide Caption 32 of 41 Photos: Can you guess the 2016 contenders' campaign logos? U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina, who has dropped out of the presidential race. Hide Caption 33 of 41 Photos: Can you guess the 2016 contenders' campaign logos? Hide Caption 34 of 41 Photos: Can you guess the 2016 contenders' campaign logos? Former U.S. Sen. Lincoln Chafee, D-Rhode Island, who has dropped out of the presidential race. Hide Caption 35 of 41 Photos: Can you guess the 2016 contenders' campaign logos? Hide Caption 36 of 41 Photos: Can you guess the 2016 contenders' campaign logos? Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, Republican, who has dropped out of the presidential race. Hide Caption 37 of 41 Photos: Can you guess the 2016 contenders' campaign logos? Hide Caption 38 of 41 Photos: Can you guess the 2016 contenders' campaign logos? Former U.S. Sen. Jim Webb of Virginia, Republican, who has dropped out of the presidential race Hide Caption 39 of 41 Photos: Can you guess the 2016 contenders' campaign logos? Hide Caption 40 of 41 Photos: Can you guess the 2016 contenders' campaign logos? Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, Republican, who has dropped out of the presidential race Hide Caption 41 of 41

More have a positive take on the Democrats, 50% overall, with 45% saying they have an unfavorable view. That's up slightly since January, when 45% had a positive view.

The CNN/ORC poll was conducted by telephone March 17-20 among 1,001 randomly selected adult Americans, including 925 registered voters. The results for the full sample have a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3 percentage points, and it is larger for subgroups.