A strong debate performance from former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton helped her retake the lead in Iowa, according to a new Quinnipiac University poll.
Clinton was supported by 51 percent of likely Democratic caucus-goers, compared to 40 percent who back Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders. Former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley came in with 4 percent.
Clinton's 11-point lead over Sanders comes just one month after a similar Quinnipiac poll saw Sanders with 41 percent to Clinton's 40 percent.
"A strong debate performance doesn't always translate into better poll numbers, but it sure did for Hillary Clinton," Quinnipiac Assistant Director Peter A. Brown said in a statement. "Clinton had been losing momentum among the key Iowa Caucus participants and last month was tied with Sen. Bernie Sanders, who seemed to have the momentum in Iowa and nationally. But the debate seemed to reverse that trend and once again she is the leader of the pack in Iowa."
Among those who watched the first Democratic primary debate held earlier this month, 62 percent said Clinton performed best, while 31 percent thought Sanders did and only three percent said O'Malley was the best.
Both Clinton and Sanders had extremely high favorability ratings, though Sanders came out on top with 83 percent compared to 82 percent for Clinton.
When asked which candidate "has the right kind of experience to be president," 92 percent of respondents picked Clinton, compared to 60 percent who said the same for Sanders.
Sanders, however, was viewed as more "honest and trustworthy." Eighty-seven percent of Democrats held that perception of the democratic socialist, while 70 percent said Clinton had those qualities. More people also thought Sanders "cares about their needs and problems."
Sanders had much more support from 18- to 34-year-olds – 67 percent compared to Clinton's 23 percent. Most of Clinton's support came from those over the age of 50.
The poll was conducted with 592 likely Iowa Democratic caucus participants and has a margin of error of plus or minus four percentage points.
