A new poll shows Gov. Rick Scott is roaring back even as President Barack Obama and his federal health-care law continue to remain unpopular in the Sunshine State.
A poll from St. Leo University released Wednesday shows former Gov. Charlie Crists lead over Scott shrinking. In December, a St. Leo poll had Crist with 46 percent while Scott took 34 percent. The new poll has Crist with 43 percent while Scott takes 39 percent. Scott does much better when matched against former state Senate Democratic Leader Nan Rich. The Republican takes 40 percent while Rich garners 32 percent.
Our polling shows good news for Gov. Scott, as hes been able to take a sizable chunk out of Charlie Crists lead, said Frank Orlando, a political science instructor at St. Leo University. Gov. Scott has shored up some Republican voters, but hes also doing about as well among independents and members of the opposing party as Mr. Crist. This is surprising, considering the fact that Crist, a former Republican, was expected to do well among Republicans and independents.
Scott is above water in the poll, with 48 percent seeing him as favorable and 47 percent as unfavorable. But Scott is upside down when it comes to his performance, with 45 percent approving of him and 47 percent disapproving of him.
The poll finds Scott has gained ground with his fellow Republicans despite Crist spending most of his political life in the GOP, with 79 percent of Republicans approving of him and only 18 percent disapproving. This is a net gain of 22 percent for Scott since the December poll. Three-quarters of Republicans -- 75 percent -- approve of Scotts job performance in Tallahassee, up 20 percent from the December poll.
Obama continues to sink in Florida, with only 39 percent of likely voters approving of him while 50 percent disapprove of him. Obama carried Florida in both 2008 and 2012.
Floridians strongly disapprove of the job that President Obama is doing in the White House, said Orlando, who added this could help Florida Republicans in November, including Scott. This type of national feeling can make its way into state and local elections by damaging the partys brand name. If President Obamas approval ratings continue to fall, Scott will profit at the polls.
Scott rose to political prominence in 2009 by leading Conservative for Patients Rights (CPR) which opposed Obamas health-care law.
The poll finds only 29 percent of Florida voters are more likely to vote for congressional candidates if they support the health-care law. A majority -- 52 percent -- say they are less likely to vote for a candidate who backs Obamas health-care law. Earlier in the month, Republican David Jolly upset former state CFO Alex Sink, the Democratic candidate, in a special congressional election. Jolly hammered Sink for her support of Obamas law.
The poll finds both of Floridas U.S. senators in solid shape. U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., is approved by 50 percent of those surveyed while 33 percent disapprove of him. Almost half -- 49 percent -- see Nelson in a favorable light while 37 percent see him as unfavorable. While 40 percent say they plan to vote for Nelson for a fourth term in 2018, 35 percent say they plan to vote against him.
U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., is approved by 50 percent of those surveyed while 40 percent disapprove of him. Rubio garners similiar favorablity numbers with 50 percent seeing him as favorable and 41 percent viewing him as unfavorable. As Rubio plans to run for a second term in 2016, 46 percent say they plan to vote for him while 38 percent are planning to vote against him.
The poll of 500 Florida adults, including 401 likely voters, was taken March 16-19 and had a margin of error of +/- 5 percent.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunhinestatenews.com.
