Most voters say 'meh' — at best — on the presidential field

WASHINGTON (AP) — Most American voters say "meh" — at best — about the 2016 field of presidential candidates in both parties.

At least half of Americans say they would be disappointed or even angry if either of the front-runners — Donald Trump for the Republicans or Hillary Clinton for the Democrats — are nominated, the survey shows.

About one-fifth of those surveyed say they'd either probably or definitely vote for a third-party candidate if Trump and Clinton are the nominees.

Bruce Bertsch, a libertarian and retired human resources director from San Diego, says the public's lukewarm reaction to the major-party hopefuls doesn't come from disinterest or apathy — quite the opposite.

The AP-GfK poll suggests the general election, after the parties name nominees, will be less about emotional appeals and inspiration and more about getting actual voters to cast votes before the end of Election Day.

"In the general election, it's an air war," said former Republican strategist Rich Galen, author of a political blog.

Among all the remaining candidates, only Sanders, Clinton's Democratic rival, generates significantly more positive than negative ratings from Americans, with 48 percent saying they have a favorable opinion of him and 39 percent unfavorable.