Posted on 10/11/2006 5:42:55 PM PDT by okstate
October 11, 2006 - Nelson Leads Harris 61 - 33 In Florida Senate Race, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Voters Say U.S. Is Losing The War In Iraq
In the Florida Senate race, Democratic incumbent U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson has a commanding 61 - 33 percent lead over U.S. Rep. Katherine Harris among likely voters, including leaners, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. Six percent are undecided and 18 percent of likely voters who name a candidate say they could change their mind in the next four weeks.
Sen. Nelson leads Rep. Harris 56 - 31 percent among registered voters, with 11 percent undecided. This compares to a 61 - 24 percent Nelson lead in a July 27 poll by the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University.
In this latest survey, Republican likely voters back Harris 67 - 27 percent, while Democrats back Nelson 85 - 10 percent and independent voters back Nelson 65 - 26 percent.
"Congresswoman Harris has made some progress in her race against Sen. Nelson, but with four weeks until the election, it isn't nearly enough to make her a serious threat to the incumbent," said Peter Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.
"Floridians, by almost a two-to-one margin, still view her unfavorably - an indication of just how difficult a task she faces. In order to win, she'll have to convince Floridians she is not who they think she is."
Only 20 percent of Florida voters have a favorable opinion of Harris, with 37 percent unfavorable, 16 percent mixed and 26 percent who haven't heard enough to form an opinion.
Nelson gets a 31 - 12 percent favorability, with 19 percent mixed and 38 percent who haven't heard enough to form an opinion.
"For a politician who has held statewide office for more than a decade, Sen. Nelson's profile is surprisingly fuzzy. Four in 10 voters say they need to know more about him before they can decide if they view him favorably or unfavorably," Brown said.
"But it doesn't matter because Congresswoman Harris is so weak. She is losing a quarter of the Republican vote and more than 60 percent of the independent vote and getting only half of the white evangelical vote - a recipe for electoral disaster for a Republican in Florida."
Bush Approval
Florida voters disapprove 59 - 37 percent of the job President George W. Bush is doing. Voters say 55 - 28 percent that the U.S. is losing the war in Iraq, and 44 - 39 percent that the U.S. is losing the war on worldwide terrorism.
From October 3 - 8, Quinnipiac University surveyed 968 Florida registered voters with a margin of error of +/- 3.2 percentage points. The survey includes 783 likely voters, with a margin of error of +/- 3.5 percentage points. The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public opinion surveys in Florida, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Ohio and the nation as a public service and for research.
"Rush is in FL and he has said recently that Harris is only behind 10 pts. And .. Rush said that if the RNC would just get behind her that number is not insurmoutable."
I believe Katherine Harris will win if Florida Republicans got out and vote! I can't understand why anyone would vote for Nelson!
It's a tough state in which to build up a political reputation. Lots of people just moved there 5 minutes ago and many of the ones who moved here 20 minutes ago aren't tuned into politics. There are almost no high-profile politicians because people don't care about politics. Katharine Harris had enough star power to be fairly certain of winning the primary against a reasonably competent candidate because said candidate would have to build up a name for himself with lots of cash. Many people still support KH for enforcing the law in 2000 and wouldn't hear about or believe the stories of her erratic behavior. And since she wouldn't listen to Jeb and George and Karl and pull out of the race, the only hope was to defeat her in a primary.
It is like Paula Hawkins vs. Graham.
Quinipiac is a bit padded but I would say she is down by at least 10 given past track records of a strong Senator or FL politician who is independent of any party machine.
Nelson can phone this in. During the debates he has to screw up BIG just to give harris a chance.
Thanks...it would be terrific if the Broken glass Republicans could get enough "undecideds" or independents to get really mad at the Dems' chicanery....and go vote for Katherine...
Besides Bill Nelson is such a creepy, weinie...ugh.
Ain't got time but you can tell this is a phony poll. Weekend, registered voters and likely weighted heavily to the Rats. Do it yourself, might learn something.
Pray for W and Our Troops
Rush was upset because the GOP in FL did not seem to be supporting her and he just couldn't figure it out.
I heard she and Jeb had some policy issues and it kept the GOP from supporting her. I don't know if that's true or not.
Well .. has anybody ever told you that YOUR opinion is just that - your opinion .. and it doesn't make it the truth.
5.56mm
And this is Harris' fault because?
She declared herself Queen of the GOP Senate primary and banned other contenders from running or something?
She's the nonminee now. You guys will fawn over Lieberman but complain about Harris. Unbelievable.
Katherine isn't running any tv commercials in Tampa Bay.
I have only seen one or two in Palm Beach co.
Because she is unstable?
"According to the RPOF, Katherine Harris' name can be inserted in any script being used in any GOP HQ in the sate of Florida!"
BUMP!!
Good grief! According to whom?
You need independents' votes as well.
LOL, not even close.
Why stir things up like a DUngheap troublemaking troll? We are all down in the dumps about this race, and you want to talk about Florida fanatics. This is our candidate, and we have tried to rally behind her, because it more important to expend postive energy defeating Nelson, than it is to sit around like a bunch of crybabies, and second guess the what might have beens in this political campaign.
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