The possibility that Bernie Sanders could win the first two states in the 2016 Democratic presidential race grew as a new CNN/ORC poll shows the Vermont senator jumping ahead of Hillary Clinton 51% to 43% in Iowa. Clinton led Sanders by 18 points in the CNN/ORC Iowa poll in December.
Sanders holds a commanding 27-point lead over Clinton in New Hampshire, which holds its primary on Tuesday, February 9, just eight days after the Iowa caucuses. The CNN/WMUR poll of New Hampshire Democrats gives Sanders 60% versus Clinton's 33%.
Read the full CNN/ORC poll here
While Iowa and New Hampshire contests decide just a combined 84 Democratic convention delegates, twin wins for Sanders could boost his chances in the hotly-contested third state, Nevada, and South Carolina, where Clinton has a large lead.
Hillary Clinton responded on CNN Thursday to Sanders' accusation that she represented the establishment, while he is the candidate of change.
.@HillaryClinton: "I really don't understand" @BernieSanders' establishment attack https://t.co/Lo1kOYlstH https://t.co/pn61auq7s1
-- CNN (@CNN) January 21, 2016
