Clinton leads by 5 points after second presidential debate


After revelations about Donald Trump's humiliation of former Miss Universe Alicia Machado, the fact that he might have avoided paying income taxes for nearly two decades, and the release of a tape containing audio of him bragging about groping women, the Republican nominee's past looks like it's finally catching up with him. Following the second presidential debate, Trump has sunk behind Hillary Clinton by five points with 27 days left before the election.
The numbers, which come from a Politico/Morning Consult poll, put Clinton at 42 percent to Trump's 37 percent in a four-way race, where Libertarian Gary Johnson is at 10 percent and the Green Party's Jill Stein at three percent. In a two-way race, Clinton leads 46 percent to 41 percent.
The results reveal a far different picture than what was on the table just over two weeks ago, indicating how damaging Trump's debate performances and lewd audio recording have actually been. Before the first presidential debate, Morning Consult's polls showed Trump ahead, at 39 percent to Clinton's 38 percent in a four-way matchup.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The Politico/Morning Consult poll surveyed 2,001 registered voters on Monday and has a margin of error of plus or minus three percent. In the RealClearPolitics average, which does not yet use any post-second debate polls, Clinton is up by 5 points in the four-way race, at 45 percent to 40 percent.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.
-
Israel's plan for confining all Palestinians in 'humanitarian city'
The Explainer Defence minister wants to establish zone in Gaza for displaced people – which they would not be allowed to leave – prompting accusations of war crimes
-
Secluded retreats for aspiring writers
The Week Recommends These tranquil hideaways are the perfect place to put pen to paper
-
The Velvet Sundown: viral band that doesn't actually exist
In the Spotlight These AI-generated rock hits are brought to listeners by… no one
-
Elon Musk launching 'America Party'
Speed Read The tech mogul promised to form a new political party if Trump's megabill passed Congress
-
Judge blocks Trump's asylum ban at US border
Speed Read The president violated federal law by shutting down the US-Mexico border to asylum seekers, said the ruling
-
Thai court suspends prime minister over leaked call
Speed Read Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been suspended, pending an ethics investigation
-
Senate passes GOP megabill after Alaska side deal
The pivotal yes vote came from Sen. Lisa Murkowski, whose support was secured following negotiated side deals for her home state Alaska
-
Trump sues LA over immigration policies
Speed Read He is suing over the city's sanctuary law, claiming it prevents local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration authorities
-
Obama, Bush and Bono eulogize USAID on final day
Speed Read The US Agency for International Development, a humanitarian organization, has been gutted by the Trump administration
-
The last words and final moments of 40 presidents
The Explainer Some are eloquent quotes worthy of the holders of the highest office in the nation, and others... aren't
-
Senate advances GOP bill that costs more, cuts more
Speed Read The bill would make giant cuts to Medicaid and food stamps, leaving 11.8 million fewer people with health coverage