In a Washington Post-ABC News poll (538.com rating: A+) of registered voters conducted August 24 through 28, Donald Trump’s favorable/unfavorable rating was 38/61. Hillary Clinton’s was 38/59. (The “strongly unfavorable” numbers were even closer: Trump 47, Clinton 46.)
Among those identifying as Independents, Clinton is more unpopular than Trump. Trump is at 32/63, Clinton is at 31/66. (For “strongly unfavorable”: Trump 44, Clinton 47.)
Sexism at work? Among women, Clinton is underwater at 45/52.
Millennial prejudice? Among adults 40 to 64, she is at 42/55. Among those 65 and older, 42/57.
There has been much speculation on what institutional disease of the Republican Party permitted the elevation of such a universally loathed candidate. That Clinton appears very likely to win the election does not invalidate the question of why the Democratic Party allowed the same.
She will not be so fortunate in opponents come 2020.