Clinton, Trump gaining steam within own parties, but remain unfavorable nationally: Gallup

Both U.S. presumptive presidential nominees Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump are gaining steam among their own parties, but remain unfavorable nationally, Gallup found in a poll Monday.

Since clinching the Democratic nomination in early June, Clinton's favorable rating among Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents has been up slightly to 71 percent, compared with 68 percent in April and May.

At the same time, Trump's favorable rating among Republicans averages 64 percent in June, the same as in May but higher than the 54 percent to 56 percent in the three prior months, Gallup found.

Despite steady or even sagging ratings nationally, Trump and Clinton have begun the process of repairing their images within their own parties as they prepare to officially receive their nominations at their respective conventions in July, Gallup said.

While Clinton may have earned a bump from clinching the Democratic nomination in early June, she has not built on that in the following weeks, perhaps because of her rival Senator Bernie Sanders' reluctance to withdraw from the race, Gallup said.

Trump, on the other hand, has picked up some additional steam among Republicans in June. It will be important to see if Trump can hold or build on his improved status among Republicans into July, Gallup said.

Still, Clinton and Trump, who are the least favorable presidential candidates in decades, have each lost ground among independents who lean toward neither party.

Because of this, the candidates' national favorable ratings have stayed still or declined slightly, despite recent improved ratings from their own parties, Gallup said.

Clinton's overall favorable rating since clinching the nomination has averaged 41 percent, nearly matching her 40 percent in May but down slightly from 44 percent in January.

Trump's average 31 percent thus far in June compares with 32 percent in May and 34 percent in January. Endi