We're still in that uncertain season of the 2012 election cycle where every poll will show some different and somewhat surprising result. Quinnipiac is the latest to crunch the numbers and shows that Mitt Romney is the favorite to get the presidential nod from Republican voters in Florida. Meanwhile, a virtual unknown named Mike McCallister now leads Republicans seeking the senate nomination. Meanwhile, the debt ceiling deal seems to have hurt President Obama, and he's now tied with Romney among all Florida voters.
A poll by a lesser known polling firm showed Texas Governor Rick Perry in the lead, despite not having officially announced a campaign, but the Q poll shows Romney still in the lead even with Perry in the mix. Quinnipiac asked voters to pick from three different potential groups of Republican candidates, and Romney lead each time and was the only candidate to break 20 percent.
In a field including Rick Perry, Sarah Palin, Newt Gingrich, Mitt Romney, Tim Pawlenty, Michele Bachmann, Rick Santorum, Ron Paul, Jon Huntsman, Herman Cain and Thaddeus McCotter, Romney pulls ahead with 23 percent. Perry is second with only 13 percent.
Voters were then given head-to-head match-ups between the leading Republicans and Obama. Q released numbers from before Sunday, when the debt ceiling deal was reached and after. Each time the Republican gained traction post-deal. Obama lead Romney 46-41 before the deal, but was tied 44-44 after. Obama still leads Perry 44-39 after the deal, and it seems that no matter what Michelle Bachmann and Sarah Palin are not serious threats to Obama.
Meanwhile, over in the Senate race, there's a shocking new leader: Mike McCallister. He's a tree farmer who finished third place in the 2010 Republican primary for governor. He now leads the field with 16 percent. Supposed Tea Party favorite Adam Hasner has just six percent, while former Senator George LeMieux has 12 percent. Steakhouse magnate Craig Miller has eight percent. This doesn't spell good news for Hasner, who was hoping on grassroots Tea Party support.
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