Looking ahead to 2016, Republican Jeb Bush is running neck and neck with Democrat Hillary Clinton in the Sunshine State.
According to Gravis Marketing's poll released Monday, there's not much between the former Florida governor and the former secretary of state. Unlike the other three largest states in the Electoral College -- solidly Democratic California and New York and staunchly Republican Texas -- Florida is expected to be up for grabs in 2016.
The poll shows Clinton taking 37 percent while Bush is right behind with 36 percent. But, despite Florida voters' familiarity with both candidates, more than a quarter of those surveyed -- 28 percent -- are undecided.
When matched against another Florida Republican -- U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio -- Clintons lead expands. In that scenario, Clinton takes 43 percent to Rubio's 35 percent. The number of undecided voters drops to 22 percent.
The poll shows Republicans would be wise to bring up Clintons ties to an old political rival who became her boss: President Barack Obama.
Despite carrying Florida twice, Obama is upside down in Florida, according to the Gravis poll. Obama remains underwater in the Sunshine State as a solid majority -- 56 percent -- of those surveyed disapprove of his performance in the White House. Only 37 percent approve of Obamas performance; 7 percent are undecided.
The poll of 1,023 registered voters in Florida, most of whom say they are very likely to vote in Novembers general election, was taken Oct. 11-12 and had a margin of error of +/- 3 percent.
While Bush, Clinton and Rubio have not yet formally launched presidential bids, all three have left the door open to running in 2016. With three weeks to go to the election, all three of the potential presidential candidates have been crossing the nation, stumping for candidates and often focusing on early primary and caucus states like Iowa and New Hampshire.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
