CLINTON ROMPS IN NEW POLL – AT 11:31 A.M. ET:   We stress that polls are snapshots in time, and history shows that even the best-done polls can be way off in an unsettled political environment.  But a new, major poll is good news for Hillary.  From the Washington Examiner: 

Hillary Clinton is in close fights in Iowa and New Hampshire with rival Sen. Bernie Sanders, but is comfortably ahead in a national poll, 59 percent to 34 percent.

Clinton appears to have actually expanded her lead nationally, in this poll.

The Wall Street Journal/NBC News national poll was last published in December, when Clinton was up 19 percentage points. A new poll by the news organizations shows a 6-point bump for the Democratic front-runner despite media focus on Sanders' challenge to her campaign.

Clinton leads with men, 51 percent to 43 percent, and women, 65 percent to 27 percent.

Iowa and New Hampshire remain precarious for the former secretary of state. Victories by Sanders in both states could imperil her national advantage.

COMMENT:  And that, of course, is the caveat.  Hillary's campaign hits regular bumps, and losing both Iowa and New Hampshire would be big ones.  Also, there is a lag between the time a poll is started and the time it's reported.  Bernie has had a good week, Hillary so-so.

There's a Democratic debate today, competing with the NFL and "Downton Abbey."  Let's see who watches and how the candidates perform. 

This is not over.  The voting in Iowa begins in two weeks.

January 17, 2016