With the Iowa caucus today, voters will cast the first ballots towards their presidential hopefuls. Three hopefuls on the Democratic side, and ten on the Republican side. Here's a look at what the latest polls are saying for the top three of each party, and whether or not voters can trust these numbers.
The Democrats:
Hillary Clinton
Clinton is currently in the lead for the Democratic nomination according to the polls, with 50 percent according to IBD/TIPP. Clinton, who would be the first female president, would be a symbol of stepping closer and closer towards gender equality, which is achieved through more women in power. However, critics have said that Clinton has had an advantage with the tables turning in her favor. She is close friends with Debbie Wasserman Schultz, the Chair of the Democratic National Committee, who has let it be known her support of Sanders. Many also believe that the shortage of Democratic Debates were an attempt to keep Clinton at the top of the polls.
Bernie Sanders
Sanders is polling second with 38 percent according to IBD/TIPP. He has made himself known in the race as a progressive leader, who believes in taking down Wall Street and supporting more environmental regulations. He has also sparked interest with young voters, and many hope that his support of young adults will result in higher voting presence. But many wonder if Sanders can achieve all that he hopes to achieve. Can college tuition truly be free for everyone without pushback or a huge rise in taxes?
Martin O'Malley
According to the polls, the chance of a Democratic nomination seems bleak for O'Malley, with 2 percent of voters according to IBD/TIPP. He has not been as outspoken as either Clinton or Sanders and has received criticism after being mayor of Baltimore from 1999-2007. However, O'Malley was elected twice as Governor of Maryland from 2007-2015, and many believe that the media's focus on the two candidates prevented his consideration, and left fewer nominees for voters to choose from.
The Republicans
Donald Trump
Donald Trump is currently still in the lead, with 31 percent according to IBD/TIPP. Trump's radical views have caused large amounts of protests as well as large amounts of approval. He has received the most media attention, and his ideas seem to appeal to potential voters. However, due to his ultra-conservative views, it would be hard to believe that he could sway any Democratic voters to vote for him in the General election. He has also appeared to be sexist as well as xenophobic, which would cut his voter pool drastically.
Ted Cruz
Ted Cruz comes in second at the IBD/TIPP poll with 21 percent. His opinion on issues has been ranked more conservative than Trump's, though he has spoken out to the Latino population and hopes to make outreach efforts if elected president. But his conservative views could put him in the same predicament as Trump, with little support from Democrats.
Marco Rubio
Rubio is in third place for the Republican nomination, with 10 percent according to IBD/TIPP. His polls are a third of Trump's, and many doubt that he can climb higher in the polls before the caucus. However, the polls have been shifting constantly within the Republican party, so many believe that the nomination is still up in the air.
