Floridians don't seem to like much of anyone when it comes to politics. A day after releasing dismal approval ratings for controversial Republican Gov. Rick Scott, Quinnipiac has released a new poll showing that a majority of Floridians don't think Democratic President Barack Obama deserves a second term. The president is also trailing the hypothetical Republican challenger in Florida.
Fifty-one percent of Floridians say Obama does not deserve a second term, compared to just 42 percent saying he does. Forty-one percent say they'd vote for the Republican in 2012, compared to just 38 who say they'd vote for Obama. Fifty-two percent disapprove of his job performance, with only 44 percent approving. All of those numbers have slipped since Quinnipiac last polled Floridians in early February.
South Florida is the only region in the state where Obama is keeping his head above water in polling, with 54 percent approving of his job performance.
We mentioned an analysis yesterday showing growing levels of minorities in Florida could help Obama in 2012, but the poll did not release information about Obama's approval based on race.
But it's not all bad news for Obama. Seventy percent say they like the guy personally. Only 40 percent of Floridians feel the same way about Rick Scott. So it's nothing personal, Barack.
Plus the poll doesn't ask directly about specific Republican candidates, and i'ts likely Obama could lead against many of the names being mentioned in the GOP fray.
In the Senate race, incumbent Democrat Bill Nelson's approval ratings are much better at 47-26, and 43 percent say they'd vote for him over a Republican. His numbers have improved since February.
Quinnipiac also polled on individual issues, and Florida remains a solidly pro-choice state. Fifty-eight percent believe abortion should be legal in all or most cases. Only 13 percent believe it should be illegal in all cases, but 65 percent say they agree with Roe v. Wade. However, 51 percent approve of a bill that would require women to undergo an ultrasound before an abortion. There's no mention of who would get the bill for the ultrasound, nor did it include the fact the bill includes controversial language about "fetal pain."
Sixty percent say they approve of offshore drilling, up from only 42 percent last summer. How soon we seem to have forgotten the disaster in the Gulf.
Forty-eight percent approve of building a new nuclear power plant in the state, which is the same level of support the question received in 2006. Though the numbers are much lower when Q asks whether they'd want that plant built in their town.
Forty-nine percent think the Health-Care Reform Act should be repealed, compared to just 41 percent who think it should stand.
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