Poll: Clinton, Sanders Almost Even, and Both Clobber Trump

Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump attracted thousands of supporters to a rally near the Sacramento International Airport Wednesday night. He touched on his popular themes of building a wall along the Mexican border, criticizing the media and trashing likely Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton.

“She lies!” he said, calling her “crooked Hillary” throughout his speech. Trump also took a swing at President Obama.

“This is a president who doesn’t have a clue," he said. “And this president now ... he’s going to start campaigning. Well, if he campaigns that means I’m allowed to hit him just like I hit Bill Clinton, I guess, right?”

Despite a new Field Poll with evidence to the contrary, Trump told the crowd he thinks he has a shot at winning California in the general election and will campaign hard in the state.

“We’re going to come in, we’re going to work California hard,” he said. “I think we have a good chance.”

Trump also mocked Gov. Jerry Brown’s recent endorsement of Clinton. And he said if he’s elected the state wouldn’t have to worry about future droughts.

There were a few protesters at the rally, but it was generally a supportive crowd.

Trump is scheduled to appear at a rally in San Jose tonight.

That new Field Poll shows how the New York real estate mogul has consolidated his support among Republican voters. Sixty percent of likely voters in the Republican primary have a favorable image of Trump, while 35 percent do not.

Nonetheless, in hypothetical fall match-ups against Clinton, Trump trails 53 to 34 percent with 13 percent undecided. That 19-point spread grows to 29 against Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who leads Trump by 60 to 31 percent.

The poll also shows Clinton and Sanders essentially tied in California, with Clinton ahead 45 to 43 percent, within the poll's margin of error.

All three candidates will be barnstorming California Thursday. In addition to Trump's event tonight in San Jose, Clinton will give a speech on national security in San Diego and conduct a community meeting in Perris (Riverside County), while Sanders will hold rallies in Modesto and Chico today and Fairfield and Santa Rosa tomorrow.