Another FL POLL shows dead heat (46/45). Obama on the rise.

[jefferson_dem]

Florida Presidential Poll: Florida's in play
Statewide poll finds race a dead heat with six weeks to go in the campaign

By William E. Gibson | Washington Bureau Chief
September 21, 2008

Democrat Barack Obama has pulled virtually even with Republican John McCain to create a very competitive presidential race in Florida, a state considered crucial for Republicans to win the nationwide election.

Obama has overcome McCain's earlier advantage in the state to reach a statistical tie of 45 percent to 46 percent, according to a statewide poll of likely voters conducted last week for the Sun Sentinel and the Florida Times-Union. The 1-percentage-point difference is within the poll's margin of error.

"It's competitive, no question, and obviously the economy is the top issue," said Del Ali of Research 2000, an independent pollster who conducted the telephone survey.

"What took place on Wall Street this week helped Obama in Florida," Ali said. "His numbers went up with each day we polled. For him to win Florida, it's obviously important for the economy to stay the top issue."

Following national conventions and the selection of running mates, the poll shows voters returning to their traditional party loyalties and the usual gender gap.

Women in the poll favored Obama over McCain 48 percent to 41 percent. Men favored McCain by 51 percent to 42 percent.

In South Florida, where Democrats predominate, 58 percent of those polled intend to vote for Obama. McCain's strongest area was Northeast Florida, where he was favored by 56 percent.

The region that could tip the race is the Tampa area, where 47 percent intend to vote for McCain and 46 percent back Obama.

Obama rises
Obama has drawn many voters, especially younger ones, who have not been politically active but like his pitch for changing government, the course of the economy, and U.S. policy in Iraq.

<SNIP>

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-flaprezpoll0921sbsep21,0,7609474.story

[my3boyz]

1. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh...so that is why Obama set his debate camp up in Tampa!

They are too smart! LOL

[1corona4u]

2. NE Florida = socially retarded misfits.

(not everyone of course, but that 56%)

[libertad]

8. We socially retarded misfits here in NE FL had 20K show up for the

Obama rally yesterday. The McCain event only got about 5K a week or two ago (when McCain's poll numbers were peaking.

[1corona4u]

9. Perhaps you need to read my post again.

I specifically said that 56% that support mccrap. Jeez...don't get your panties in a twist...

Edited to add the QUOTE;
"McCain's strongest area was Northeast Florida, where he was favored by 56 percent."

[DCBob]

3. Obama can win FL. The trends are all going his way.

The McCain campaign must be in total crisis mode now. They must win FL and OH to even have a chance.

[flamingdem]

4. Debate Camp article from Los Angeles Times blog

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2008/09/obama-debate.html

Barack Obama to hunker down in Florida for debate prep this week

Florida seems to be a favorite site for Democrats to practice presidential debating.

Sen. Barack Obama will spend more time there this week, as he sets up his debate camp in an important battleground state to prepare for the general election. Freshman senator and Democrat presidential candidate Barack Obama of Illinoisn's first presidential debate, coming up Friday in Mississippi.

As seemingly designed, millions of Americans are expected to not watch it, Friday nights in autumn often being set aside for things like high school football instead of watching Washington guys in suits arguing on TV.

Obama campaign aides are offering few details to the media but did confirm that Obama will be in the Tampa area as he works to get ready for what is nevertheless viewed as a critical moment in the fall campaign.

Greg Craig, an Obama advisor and foreign policy specialist, will play the role of Sen. John McCain in practice sessions.

Presidential candidates typically set up camp several days before a debate so that they can practice their lines and hone their seemingly spontaneous quips, as well as participate in mock sessions with advisors throwing expected attack lines and debate questions at them.

Former Vice President Al Gore also set up his debate camp in Florida, twice, during the 2000 presidential campaign. Gore was making a claim to the Sunshine State's electoral votes -- which he lost to then-Texas Gov. George W. Bush by 537 popular votes in a disputed election that took 36 days and the U.S. Supreme Court to settle.

So obviously the TV debates played a large role in that contest. Our Swamp colleague John McCormick has more history on this story over here.

-- Andrew Malcolm

[voteearlyvoteoften]

5. Volunteer now and save our country!

Please join us as we work to take our country back from the party in power. I am deeply concerned for our future, and call on you to help the democratic party prevail. If you have a computer you can phone bank from your home. Its easy and you can make a difference. People want to know that their opinion is valued. Get in touch with your local Obama group and they can set you up. I believe it is possible to call in from out of state too if you live in a state that is already blue. We can do it..YES WE CAN!

[dtotire]

6. We Need Florida

It looks like the upper Midwest states of Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota are close. I expect there will be a lot of push-polling in those states that might make some of them red. I sope not.

[darius15]

7. As the I-4 corridor goes, so goes Florida

I know Hillary has been campaigning out there for Obama, and Bill is supposed to be campaigning there soon. If we win I-4, Florida is ours.

[PM7nj]

10. I am very surprised that Florida is close.

I had pretty much written that state off after 2004 and this year's delegate debacle. Go Florida!

[Top Cat]

11. We have a great chance to win Florida and this will get us to the Whitehouse