Clinton struggles to make Obama's coalition her own

Clinton's struggle to win over Obama's supporters — most notably young voters — has served as a reminder that many of them are more loyal to him than to his Democratic Party.

Republican Donald Trump's recent rise in the polls helps demonstrate that Obama's two victories were more about one man in the right moment than any political realignment.

"The enduring Obama coalition is a bit of an urban legend," said Democratic pollster Stan Greenberg.

Even as Trump has gained in both national and battleground state polls, Clinton continues to have more paths to victory — a stronger campaign network and more money — than her opponent.

An Associated Press/GfK survey conducted last week showed Clinton with 48 percent of likely voters under 30, while Trump had 27 percent, Libertarian Gary Johnson had 14 percent and Green Party candidate Jill Stein 3 percent.

[...] Trump's candidacy has opened up opportunities for Clinton with college-educated voters and suburban white women, groups that appear to be turned off by his rhetoric and lack of foreign policy experience.

The president notably formed his own shadow organization in his Organizing for Action — an extension of his campaign — to carry on his political agenda rather than depend on the Democratic National Committee.