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Susan Page and Paulina Firozi, USA TODAY 9:37 a.m. EDT October 3, 2015

Hillary Clinton campaigns in Des Moines, Iowa, on Sept. 22, 2015.(Photo: Charlie Neibergall, AP)

WASHINGTON Hillary Clinton continues to lead the Democratic field in a new USA TODAY/Suffolk University Poll, but she no longer commands the support of a majority of Democrats as Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and Vice President Biden gain ground.

Clinton is backed by 41% of likely Democratic primary voters,a double-digit drop since the USA TODAY poll taken two months ago, and Sanders is supported by 23%, a jump.Biden is the choice of 20% even though he hasn't announced whether he will jump in the race.

By nearly 3-1, all those surveyed in the national poll predict that the controversy over her exclusive use of a private email server when she was secretary of State would hurt her prospects in a general election.

The poll of 1,000 likely voters, taken by phone Sept. 24-28, has a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points. The sample of 430 Democrats has an error margin of +/- 5 points.

USA TODAY

Paleologos on the poll: Breaking down Clinton's lead

"I support Hillary Clinton for a lack of any other real option," says William Sather, 41, the technical director for a production company in St. Paul, Minn., who was among those surveyed."Bernie is swell and all, but I don't quite think he's electable." He worries about Clinton's electability as well. "She's a terrific leader, it's just, I can understand there's a lot of gut-level hatred of her."

Bob Welch, 44, a real-estate appraiser from Boise, Idaho, is "leaning heavily" to Sanders but would support Clinton if he falters. "Bernie, his message, he gets it," Welch said in a follow-up interview. "He understands the problems plaguing this country and why we have an economy with problems, our constant need to be involved in war, spending money in ways it shouldn't be spent. We don't take care of the people that are suffering in this country."

USA TODAY

Poll: Donald Trump still on top as outsiders Fiorina, Carson rise

Clinton remains the clearfront-runner for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2016, leading Sanders by 18 percentage points and Biden by 21. But her challenges also are clear. In July, for instance, her favorable-unfavorable rating was narrowly negative, at 43%-47%. Now that gap hasgrown to 12 points, at 39%-51%.

In contrast, Sanders has a 37%-33% favorable-unfavorable rating, and Biden's favorable rating is a healthy 51%-35%.

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., prepares to speak at the Des Moines Youth Summit on Sept. 27, 2015.(Photo: Charlie Neibergall, AP)

Asked for a single word that describes each contender, the most frequent response for Clinton was "liar/dishonest," followed by "untrustworthy/fake." For Sanders, the most frequent response was "socialist" and the second most frequent"favorable/good." For Biden, the top response was "favorable/like," followed by "honest/honorable," although the top five answers for him also included "idiot/joke" and "fun/character/goofy."

"He is what Hillary is not, and that is authentic," Sather says of Biden. "He's easy to make fun of ... (but) she's not authentic. She's searching for the right answer instead of having the right answer."

The controversy over her decision to use a private email server instead of the government system when she was secretary of State is hurting her, although more among Republicans than Democrats. Six in 10 of those surveyed say the issue bothers themand even more, 70%, predict it will hurt her in a general election.

USA TODAY

State Department releases latest batch of Hillary Clinton emails

Even about one-third of Democrats and two-thirds of independents are disturbed by the controversy, as well as nearly nine in 10 Republicans.

Overall, 52% say they're bothered by how she handled the 2012 attacks in Benghazi, Libya, that left four Americans dead, and by the explanation she has given in the aftermath. Nearly six in 10 say that would be a liability in the general election. Clinton is expected to testify in Octoberbefore the House select committee investigating Benghazi.

"Trust is a huge thing when it comes to politics, (and) she's lost that trust," says Anthony Edelen, 37, a small-business owner from Vermillion, S.D.

But Erika Raney, 32, a business consultant from Los Angeles, says the email controversy is "kind of beating a dead horse" by this point. "I don't think half of the things we think are election issues should be," she says. "It's another way that we sling mud at candidates to detract from actually what they're saying."

One more thing:Democrats aren't particularly interested in watching more debates beyond the half-dozenalready sanctioned by the Democratic National Committee. The first, hosted by CNN, is scheduled for Oct. 13 in Las Vegas. By 54%-34%, likely Democratic primary voters say six is enough.

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Poll: Hillary Clinton still leads Sanders and Biden, but ...

Clinton said Trump's attacks on her are an example of Trump's "demagoguery," that he will say whatever he feels will advance his cause.

Speaking with MSNBC host Al Sharpton in an interview to air this weekend, Clinton was asked about Trump and how he has called her "shrill."

"He's called me a lot of things -- now that he's running against me," Clinton said in an excerpt of the interview aired on "Morning Joe" on MSNBC on Friday. "Before, he called me a great senator and a great secretary of state. That's what a demagogue does: They say whatever they need to say to try to stir up the passions of people."

Clinton also slammed Trump for his rhetoric on immigration.

"He has been stoking prejudice and paranoia, he's been really appealing to the worst instincts of human nature," Clinton said. "I think it's dangerous, his demagoguery is no longer amusing."

Trump, who appear on "Morning Joe" shortly after the clip aired, responded by saying Clinton used to call him a "genius."

"I'm a little surprised at her tone, but that's OK," Trump said. "She's been surprised at my tone."

"I'm a counter-puncher, and everything I say is when somebody says something about me."

The two candidates have a long history, including Trump inviting the Clintons to his most recent wedding and them attending. He has donated both to Clinton's past campaigns in New York and to her family's foundation. Their daughters are also friendly.

Both have since brushed off the connections, with Trump saying Clinton had to go to his wedding because of the donations and Clinton saying she went merely for fun.

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Hillary Clinton: Donald Trump used to praise me - CNNPolitics.com

The Democratic presidential candidate is scheduled to be on the 41st season premiere of "SNL" this weekend, the New York Times reported earlier. Clinton will appear alongside cast member Kate McKinnon, who plays the candidate on the show.

According to the Times, Clinton's appearance will take place during "the cold open," the segment of the show when the cast yells the signature phrase, "live from New York, it's Saturday Night!"

Clinton hinted at the appearance during a television interview in with 7 News in Boston: "I have fun doing this," she said. "I've been on it before ... I'm just looking to have a good time. I think we have a fun deficit in our country. I'm going to try to fill that one, too."

The Times noted, however, that SNL creator Lorne Michaels is "well known for being tight-lipped about guests and has even changed the lineup at the last minute" and that this could be "a possibility" with Clinton.

Clinton's campaign staff and an NBC spokesperson wouldn't confirm her SNL appearance.

For Clinton, this will be another in a recent flurry of appearances intended to show off her lighter side to voters.

She recently played along with Jimmy Fallon's Donald Trump impression and did the popular dance "Whip/Nae Nae" on "Ellen" last month.

As for "Saturday Night Live," the long-time comedy establishment looks to come roaring out of the gates thanks to its apparent secret Clinton appearance, along with having bombastic pop star Miley Cyrus as its host.

While not much is known about the sketch, it would not be surprising to see Clinton cross paths with "SNL" cast member Taran Killam, who won the coveted role of playing Trump on the show.

There are also indications that Trump could be on the show this season. When asked on CNN's "New Day" last week, Trump answered, "I'm not allowed to say."

Related: Taran Killam wil play Donald Trump on 'Saturday Night Live'

CNNMoney (New York) October 2, 2015: 12:07 AM ET

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Hillary Clinton reportedly to make 'Saturday Night Live ...

What? Endless questions and accusations about Hillary Clintons email arrangement at the State Department dont get you excited about supporting Mrs. Clinton for president?

The Clinton campaign, hoping to turn a corner after a summer of news dominated by the email story, has been working to showcase the candidates lighter, more personal side. She played opposite Jimmy Fallon as Donald Trump on The Tonight Show, danced with Ellen DeGeneres and looked at old photos from her life in an interview with super-fan Lena Dunham.

The campaign has also worked to capture on video small moments where Mrs. Clinton interacts with supporters and posts a steady stream to her Facebook page.

But none of that may compare with whats coming Saturday nightan appearance on Saturday Night Live, the late-night comedy show that relentlessly mocked her last spring.

The appearance is step one in a pivot month for Mrs. Clinton. She has the chance to show command of the issues at the Democratic debate on Oct. 13, and the opportunity to answer Republican critics directly when she appears before a House committee later in October. After that comes Iowas high-profile Jefferson-Jackson dinner.

In a string of sketches before the shows summer hiatus, actress Kate McKinnon mercilessly played the former secretary of state as cold, calculating and plotting to become president her entire life. Like here:

And another one here:

Now Mrs. Clinton is set to appear on the SNL season premier this Saturday, and its a decent guess that she will appear alongside Ms. McKinnon or somehow respond to her. It went well for Mrs. Clinton when she appeared on the show in 2008. Later, in the year, after Mrs. Clinton lost the Democratic primary to Barack Obama, she received gentle poking, particularly compared with the shows treatment of Republican Sarah Palin.

Appearing on stage now allows Mrs. Clinton show shes not being laughed at, but is laughing along.

Shes not the butt of the joke. Shes in on the joke, said Geoff Garin, a Democratic pollster who works for the pro-Clinton super PAC Priorities USA, referring to the upcoming SNL appearance.

Mrs. Clintons friends and people shes worked with have long said that she is much warmer and funnier than many voters ever see. The effort to showcase that side of her personality goes back at least to her husband, Bill Clinton, was running for president in 1992.

During that campaign, Democraticpollsters wrote a memo tothe campaign suggesting ways to reduce voters discomfort with Hillary and counter impressions of her as a tough political wife.

When she became first lady, the concerns continued that she was seen as a tough, partisan figure who couldnt relate to average voters. A memo released last year by the William J.Clinton Presidential Library laid out a plan for softening Mrs. Clintons image.

Few Americans think of you in personal terms (warm, caring, funny, kind, maternal) or have a sense of your deep love of children, the unsigned, undated memo reads. Suggestions for changing that included shopping frantically for Christmas presents, caroling (maybe with Chelsea and some of her friends) during the holiday season, working out, making scrambled eggs for Sunday brunch.

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SNL Preview: Hillary Clinton Tries to Get In on the Joke ...

DAVIE, Fla. (WSVN) -- Climate change and living wages were among the topics Democratic presidential frontrunner Hillary Clinton discussed while speaking at Broward College's Davie campus, Friday afternoon, an attempt to reenergize her base in the Sunshine State.

About 700 supporters attended the grassroots organizational meeting that started at around 3:30 p.m. at the B. George Mayer Gymnasium, an hour after the scheduled start time. "I thank all of you for being here," she said after stepping up to the podium.

Unlike recent events held by the Democratic hopeful, which have dealt with specific subjects such as women's rights and the Cuban embargo, the roughly 30-minute talk was a broad event aiming to drum up more support for her campaign among diehard Democrats. "Registering to vote, being active in the campaign, working to elect your candidate, hopefully me," she said.

But trouble seemed to loom for the Clinton campaign, from the controversy over the use of a private e-mail server while she served as secretary of state, to the candidacy of U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., who has raised almost as much money as Clinton has over the last three months. "I think Democratic [candidates] will have a few bumps up and down, not to the extent of the very volatile Republican primaries," said former Broward Democratic Chair Mitch Caesar.

Clinton covered a variety of issues in her speech. "My campaign is focused on making sure the economy works to raise incomes and provides jobs to everybody willing to work hard and do your part," she said.

She also reiterated her support for "Obamacare." "Now, when it comes to health care, I'm going to defend the Affordable Care Act," she said.

Possible solutions for environmental challenges were also on the candidate's mind during the event, drawing cheers from the crowd. "We're gonna combat climate change by transitioning to clean energy jobs and businesses, and you know, if anyone should be about this, it ought to be the people in Florida," she said.

In the wake of the Oregon college shooting on Thursday, Clinton also spoke about gun violence, saying many politicians are scared of the National Rifle Association. "I am going to fight for new, effective gun control measures," she said.

The former New York senator praised her husband's handling of the economy in the 1990s. "At the end of eight years, we had 23 million new jobs," she said.

Clinton supporter David Mastos, who was selling Hillary buttons on a day off from running his own business, said this was exactly what he wanted to hear. "My restaurant, my small mom and pop restaurant that I work in in Sarasota, Florida, was very prosperous back then, and I'd like to see that again," he said.

Clinton made several other stops in South Florida Friday, including private fundraisers at a home in Fort Lauderdale and in Miami Beach. She also made a surprise visit at the American Airlines Arena, briefly taking the stage with singer Marc Anthony at his concert.

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Hillary Clinton to visit South Florida - WSVN-TV - 7NEWS ...