Speaking from the recently airborne belly of the beast, Donald Trump pitched to reporters yesterday that "You saw the polls come out today, where I'm beating [Hillary Clinton], or tied with her at worst." I believe I have the quote right:
Notwithstanding whatever "the polls … today" means, the RealClearPolitics average has Clinton beating Trump, 46.3 to 41.3. RCP's average stems rather inexorably from Rasmussen's finding (about as partisanly biased as they come) that Clinton beats Trump 37-36; from CNN/ORC's finding that Clinton beats Trump 49-47; Quinnipiac's, Clinton beats Trump, 47-40; Fox News's, Clinton beats Trump, 49-38; Public Policy's, Clinton beats Trump, 46-43; and ABC News/WaPo's, Clinton beats Trump, 50-44.
Trump assessment? Juuust a bit outside. But that's why we love him.