An early poll of Iowa Democratic voters looking for a challenger to unseat President Trump shows them torn between familiar candidates in their 70s and one lightly experienced newcomer who is 46. Two old hands — Former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. and Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont — and the new contender, outgoing Representative Beto O’Rourke of Texas, grabbed the top three spots in a poll of likely Iowa Democratic caucusgoers released Saturday. A majority in the Iowa survey favored pragmatism: 54 percent said it was more important to nominate someone able to defeat Mr. Trump than someone who aligns with voters’ positions. Similarly, 49 percent preferred a seasoned candidate compared with 36 percent who want a new face. Little known before the midterms, Mr. O’Rourke triggered Beto-mania with a dynamic campaign presence and prolific fund-raising in his narrow loss of a Texas Senate race to Ted Cruz.

Source: New York Times December 16, 2018 19:07 UTC