Florida Polls: Tight Race Between John McCain, Barack Obama

A review of Florida polls shows the Sunshine State remains a battleground between senators John McCain and Barack Obama for the upcoming presidential election.

A Rasmussen report conducted June 18 reveals McCain has an edge over Obama in Florida, with McCain leading Obama 47% to 39% in the state.

Polling 500 likely Florida voters, the Rasmussen report gave particular focus to offshore drilling, establishing a correlation between support for drilling and reduced gas prices.

After Florida voters were told that McCain favored offshore drilling (which, pollsters indicated, would bring down the price of gas and oil) and that Obama did not favor offshore drilling, an overwhelming number of voters - 61% - agreed with McCain's position that offshore drilling would ease gas prices. Only a meager 34% disagreed with this view.

Surprisingly, support was divided within Democrats, for only 48% of Democrats supported Obama's stance on offshore drilling. Another 45% of Democrats supported McCain in regards to offshore drilling, saying it was likely to reduce oil prices with this measure. Meanwhile, 85% of Republican voters supported McCain's view of offshore drilling.

These results certainly echo public sentiments regarding the economy and the current situation regarding prices at the pump. These prices are hitting Americans hard and the majority is seeking offshore drilling as a solution to the problem.

But another poll conducted days before - from June 13 to June 17 - gives Obama the edge in regards to the general election.

According to a poll conducted by the American Research Group released June 18, Obama has a 5% advantage over McCain among likely Florida voters (49% to 44%) with 7% of voters left undecided.

600 likely voters polled were asked, "If the general election were being held today between John McCain, the Republican, and Barack Obama, the Democrat, for whom would you vote - McCain or Obama?"

The names of the candidates were rotated.

43% of the likely Florida voters surveyed indicated support for Obama; he leads McCain 77% to 16% among Democrats. Meanwhile, 38% of the likely voters supported McCain, giving McCain an expected advantage over Obama with Republican voters, 75% to 18%.

In regards to the general election, 35% of voters said they would never vote for McCain but a whopping 46% of voters said they would never vote for Obama.

The polling results also indicated support among age, race and gender. Among voters age 18 to 49, Obama leads McCain 52% to 42%. Older voters (50 and above) split support between the two candidates - Obama and McCain received support of 46% each.

Obama leads McCain among men and women - among men, Obama leads 48% to 46% and among women he leads 49% to 43%.

But the tables further teeter when it comes to race. While McCain leads Obama 48% to 45% among whites (73% of likely Florida voters), Obama leads McCain 88% to 8% among African Americans (11% of likely Florida voters). As for Hispanics, McCain receives a greater amount of support - 50% to 41% of the likely Hispanic voters.

The candidates have visited Florida this month. Early in June, The Orlando Sentinel reported McCain's Florida visit for a fundraiser and stop in the Everglades. He also met with a number of newspaper editors and discussed his support for the Everglades, although defended his opposition to a $2 billion Everglades restoration proposal, citing projects added to an expensive spending plan.

Obama recently attended the U. S. Conference of Mayors held in Miami from June 20 to June 24, where he noted the importance of local government in his address. He also attended a rally at the Bank Atlantic Center in Sunrise in late May.

The numbers are tight, which only indicates that Florida is still up for grabs. With only five months left until the general election, there's still time for numbers to flip and voters to shift support.

More information: http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_presidential_election/florida/election_2008_florida_presidential_election