Gov. Rick Scotts focus on Hurricane Isaac rather than on the Republican National Convention in Tampa played well with Florida voters, giving his favorable ratings a considerable boost.
Meanwhile, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney got a bounce from likely Florida voters as the convention was under way, according to a poll conducted for the Florida Chamber of Commerce.
Scott received an improved 43 percent favorable rating in the poll, taken as the governor presented a hands-on focus on Isaac as the storm threatened and flooded several parts of the state.
Florida voters are applauding Rick Scott for having focused on Hurricane Isaac instead of attending the Republican convention, Marian Johnson, senior vice president of political operations for the Florida Chamber, stated in a release. Scott showed leadership and Floridians are responding positively.
In terms of leading the state down the right path, Scott is treading water. Thirty-nine percent of those polled said they think the state is headed in the right direction; the same percentage believes the state is going wrong.
In July, 37 percent thought Florida was heading the right way; 42 percent saw things going bad.
Romney came out of the Republican National Convention in Tampa with a 54 percent favorability rating, while President Obama landed with a 44 percent favorable mark, in the rolling track poll conducted for the chamber by Cherry Communications.
The poll of 905 likely voters conducted Aug. 28-30 also scored Romney with a 36 percent unfavorable mark, while Obama was seen unfavorably by 52 percent.
Having the Republican National Convention in Tampa seems to have helped Mitt Romney in Florida, Johnson stated. Romney presented himself as a leader and voters in Florida are accepting that message. Romneys favorable numbers went up and his unfavorable numbers went down. Obamas unfavorable numbers went up as Florida voters tuned into the convention.
The poll has a 3 percent margin of error.
Reach Jim Turner at jturner@sunshinestatenews.com or at (772) 215-9889.
