President Obama carried the critical swing state of Florida in 2008, and according to a new poll, he’s leading there again in 2012.
In a new PPP poll, Obama leads all five potential Republican challengers matched against him in the Sunshine State. Mitt Romney comes closest to catching Obama, trailing by just two points, 46% to 44%. Romney is the only challenger to come within the poll’s 3% margin of error.
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and former Speaker Newt Gingrich each came within five points of Obama. Huckabee trailed Obama 49% to 44%, while Gingrich garnered 42% to Obama’s 47%. Against Florida’s Sen.-elect Marco Rubio — who has been touted in some circles as a rising conservative star — Obama’s ahead 48% to 40%.
Obama’s only double digit lead in the poll came against Sarah Palin, whom he led 52% to 38%.
Florida, a perennial presidential battleground, will be an even bigger prize in the 2012 election thanks to the Congressional reapportionment announced yesterday. Based on new census figures, the state will gain two House seats, raising its total number of electoral college votes from 27 to 29.
Obama could still use a popularity boost in Florida, where 45% of voters said they approved of his job performance, compared to 49% who said they disapproved. By contrast, three of the challengers proposed in the poll had stronger favorability spreads than that: Romney (43%-38%); Rubio (43%-42%); and Huckabee (41%-43%.)
Obama won Florida by just 2.5% two years ago, despite his large victory nationwide. So while he leads there now, a Republican challenger could easily close that gap.
PPP surveyed 1,034 Forida voters December 17-20. The poll has a margin of error of 3.0%.
