Poll: Hillary Clinton’s numbers worst since 2008, as GOP brand surges

• By Aaron Blake

• April 17 at 12:09 pm

Then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Lima, Peru. (Karel Navarro/Associated Press)

A new poll shows former secretary of state Hillary Clinton's (D) numbers hitting their lowest point in six years.
Meanwhile, it finds that the Republican Party is experiencing something of a renaissance.
The Fox News poll, from Democratic pollster Anderson Robbins Research and GOP pollster Shaw & Company, shows Clinton's favorable rating dropping to 49 percent, compared to 45 percent unfavorable.
The last time her numbers were in that ballpark was during the 2008 Democratic presidential primary race. After she ended her campaign, her favorable/unfavorable split was 47/46.
Other polls have shown Clinton's numbers -- which were stellar during her time as secretary of state -- steadily dropping since she left her post last year.
The more surprising part of the Fox poll, though, might be how people view the Republican Party. It shows Americans are now evenly split -- 45 percent to 45 percent -- on the GOP. As recently as October, the same poll showed just 30 percent of Americans viewed the GOP favorably, compared to 63 percent unfavorable.
The poll actually shows the GOP's numbers are about the same as the Democratic Party, which has long been held in better regard.

The reason for the GOP's improved numbers has a lot to do with its own supporters coming home. While just 62 percent of Republicans had a favorable view of their own party in October, 84 percent now say they like their party.
Independents have improved their view of the GOP, with 30 percent viewing it favorably -- up from 14 percent in October.
Other polls have shown the GOP brand in much worse shape, though still improving. The Fox poll, notably, asks respondents about the GOP writ large and not specifically about Republicans in Congress. The latter question tends to elicit more negative responses.
While the poll shows significant movement for Clinton and the GOP, almost everyone else has stayed in about the same place. President Obama's numbers stayed virtually the same (45 percent favorable, 51 percent unfavorable), while the Democratic Party is viewed slightly better than it was before (44 percent favorable, 46 percent unfavorable).
Scott Clement contributed to this report.