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NewsOne’s PolitickerOne blog tackles some of the most important topics in politics: Election 2016, moves by the Obama administration, voting rights, lawmaking, and the way that elected officials represent our communities. Three times a week, we will go beyond the mainstream media’s “pack” coverage of politics to highlight the underreported aspects of how politics and policy affect you and the people you care about. In between, follow the conversation on Twitter at #PolitickerOne.

In what appears to be a hard reset for her presidential bid, Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton on Tuesday apologized for using a personal email account while serving as Secretary of State.

Clinton told ABC News’ David Muir that it was a “mistake” and that she is “sorry” for it. She also issued an apology on social media.

The well-timed apologies came as Clinton’s poll numbers began to tumble amid the email scandal and its fallout, including an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. As a result, Vice President Joe Biden, who is weighing a potential bid for president, is rising in the polls. According to The New York Times:

According to a survey from Monmouth University, Mrs. Clinton’s national lead among her Democratic rivals has slipped, with 42 percent of Democrats and Democratic-leaning voters supporting her nationally. That’s down from 52 percent a month ago, reflecting the toll that the controversy over her email practices as secretary of state is taking, and the prospect of Mr. Biden entering the race.

Mr. Biden now trails Mrs. Clinton at 22 percent, with by Senator Bernie Sanders, the independent from Vermont, at 20 percent. Mr. Biden and Mr. Sanders were at 12 percent and 16 percent, respectively, in August.

“For a guy who is not running for president, Biden sure is making headway against the front-runner,” said Patrick Murray, director of the Monmouth University Polling Institute, in a statement (pdf).

Here are 4 reasons Clinton appears to be down in the polls:

1. Democrats fear losing the election over the email scandal: As a result, voters and party leaders would support Biden if he decides to run. “And the selection of Senator Elizabeth Warren, of Massachusetts, a favorite of the progressive wing of the Democratic party, as his running-mate could also increase his chances of winning the nomination,” reports The New York Times.

2. Conservative attacks abound: Republicans have been relentless about keeping the email scandal alive. Republican presidential contender Jeb Bush last week questioned her credibility, according to The Financial Times:

“She hasn’t been truthful. She has hid all this,” Jeb Bush, the former Florida governor and Republican presidential contender, said on Tuesday. “This has all been secretive. It took a subpoena to get this information, and she talks about it in a very cavalier attitude. I think it has been very damning.”

3. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders is stumping hard on the campaign trail: The latest Des Moines Register/Bloomberg Politics poll shows that the Democratic presidential contender surpassed Clinton in recent New Hampshire polling and has lessened the gap in Iowa, according to CNN:

Sanders is winning hearts and minds by loudly decrying the large and growing gap between rich and poor in America, a message that resonates strongly in Iowa.

4. When all else fails, blame Donald Trump: The bombastic real estate mogul and celebrity has disrupted poll numbers for all candidates. US News & World Report says that “Trump leads not only his Republican rivals, but is also narrowly outpacing the top Democratic names in head-to-head matchups as well.”

Still, despite attacks from Republicans over the email scandal, Clinton remains popular among Democrats, with 71 percent viewing her favorably. Biden matches her with a 71 percent favorable rating.

Do you think Clinton will begin to perform better in the polls after her apology?

SOURCE: The New York Times, Financial Times, US News & World Report, CNN | VIDEO CREDIT: Twitter

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Rep. Chaka Fattah Builds Defense Fund To Fight Corruption Charges

Longtime Philadelphia Democratic Rep. Chaka Fattah, Sr. has launched a website to help build a legal defense fund to fight a 29-count federal indictment that alleges sweeping corruption, according to Crew of 42.

When the charges were brought by U.S. Attorney Zane Memeger of Philadelphia in July, PolitickerOne reported that Fattah denied breaking the law, saying, “I’ve never been involved in wrongdoing, any unlawful activity, any misappropriation of federal funds.”

Fattah and four others were indicted on charges that included participating in a racketeering conspiracy and other crimes, bank fraud, making false statements to a financial institution, and money laundering.

SOURCE: Crew of 42 | PHOTO CREDIT: Twitter

SEE ALSO:

 “I’m Sorry:” Hillary Clinton Apologizes For Private Email Use

4 Reasons Ben Carson Is Winning Big With Mostly-White Republican Voters

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