by Mark Silva
ORLANDO – A heated contest between Sen. John McCain and former Gov. Mitt Romney for the endorsement of Florida’s Republican voters is closing with a virtual tie among likely voters, a new election-eve poll shows.
McCain claims the support of 32 percent of those surveyed by Quinnipiac University, Romney 31 percent.
And the political fortunes of former Mayor Rudy Giuliani apparently have faded in Florida, a state where the New Yorker has banked all of his hopes for the Republican Party’s 2008 presidential nomination – a state which, Giuliani has flatly declared in the closing days of his campaign, will name the GOP’s nominee. Giuliani draws 14 percent of those surveyed.
In the uncontested Democratic primary – with candidates refraining from campaigning here because of the national party’s punishment of the state party for holding a January primary against party rules – Sen. Hillary Clinton maintains an apparent 20 percentage-point lead over Sen. Barack Obama. Clinton plans to fly to Florida on election night, appearing after polls close, to draw attention to the “win.’’
The Quinnipiac poll, when taken in the long view of earlier surveys, portrays long and precipitous slide for Giuliani, once the apparent front-runner here. The race appeared to present a four-way tie among leading Republicans as recently as Jan. 14 in Quinnipiac's surveys.
The new survey underscores how competitive the race between Romney and McCain has become, with both counting on a Florida victory to launch them into a series of big-state primaries on Feb. 5. A win for McCain here could seal his image as the Republican to beat. A win for Romney could renew his competitiveness.
And the stakes of this contest are born out in a war of campaign trail words between McCain and Romney, who have sparred over each others' credentials -- McCain's on the economy, and Romney's on national security. And today, McCain is attacking Romney for raising gas taxes as governor of Massachusets and for flip-flopping on "cap-and-trade'' issues in the climate change debate. Romney is fighting back, accusing McCain of distorting his record.
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who won the opening Iowa caucuses but has lacked the campaign funds to finance any television ads in this far-flung state of 18 million where campaigns are driven by TV, draws just 13 percent of those surveyed here – vying with Giuliani for third place in this poll.
Among Republican voters here, 78 percent of McCain’s supporters and 66 percent of Romney’s tell pollsters they are not likely to change their minds.
Peter Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac Polling Institute, puts all this in an old Florida sort of way – remember, this is the place where the late Gov. Lawton Chiles once declared in a debate with rival Jeb Bush that “the old he-coon walks just before the light of day:’’
“Sen. McCain and Gov. Romney are tight as a tick, although McCain’s supporters appear slightly more committed. With 24 hours to go, the race is up in the air…. (and) Mayor Giuliani rolled the dice for his entire campaign on Florida, and barring a comeback of monumental proportions, it looks like he is coming up snake eyes.’’
The survey was run Jan. 24 – 27, with 481 likely Democratic primary voters surveyed, and a possible margin of error of 4.5 percent, and 585 likely Republican primary voters surveyed, with a possible margin of error of 4.1 percent.
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Comments
And the political fortunes of former Mayor Rudy Giuliani apparently have faded in Florida,
Who would want a president that would snub half of America in some idiotic plan to take the brass ring without the work. We don't need another inept politician. What were they thinking will be the rally cry!
Posted by: bill r. | January 28, 2008 9:18 AM
By electing any of the above mentioned candidates,you will insure that this country will continue to see more of this:
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Countrywide Financial Corp. CEO Angelo Mozilo, under fire over the size of his potential payout from the proposed sale of his troubled mortgage company, says he is forfeiting some $37.5 million in severance pay, fees and perks he was scheduled to receive upon his retirement.
Mozilo, however, will still retain retirement benefits and deferred compensation that he has already earned, Countrywide said in a statement released Monday.
In addition to $36.4 million cash severance payments, Mozilo also walked away from $400,000 per year he was to be paid under an agreement to serve as a consultant to the company following his retirement, and perks including the use of a private airplane, the company said.
Just like Boy George,rewarded for FAILURE!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Raving Loon | January 28, 2008 9:40 AM
I don't know who will win Florida, but a comment in this article is questionable. Romney is already competitive. He has won more states than anyone, taken second in two more, has earned more votes than anyone and has more delegates too. I'm surprized the media is so in love with McCain!?
Posted by: Dave | January 28, 2008 9:57 AM
Rasmussen Polls today have Romney in the lead in the nation and with a 15 percent lead among conservatives. Take away the Democrat cross-overs for McCain and he fades. If McCain were to win the nomination, watch those cross-over votes go right back to their Democrat base come November. When the Democrats and the NY Times support a Republican, you know there's a skunk in the outhouse.
Posted by: Sanborn | January 28, 2008 10:14 AM
I think it's funny that Ted "Epic fail" Kennedy just endorsed Obama and this guy's whining about someone being rewarded for failure.
So long as we continue the current primary system, moderate candidates will always have a hard time winning primaries and nominations. Senators like McCain, who alternately anger and enfranchise the Washington establishment, will always have a hard time getting the votes of the "party loyalists" who usually work in precincts and organize get out the vote drives.
What these people fail to grasp, however, is that the nominee has to win the general election, too, not just the primaries. A president should not represent just the radical right or radical left. That's what gave us Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.
Posted by: Jeff | January 28, 2008 10:22 AM
Mitt Romney can not be trusted. He will say anything and pay anything to win. Just look at the debate, Romney cheated. Do you want someone dishonest and deceptive as our president? Don't believe me? Look at these 3 videos of the Florida debate and tell me Romney did not cheat. There is no denying it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NlIMQ31EjY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wfWDOxZkEM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK408oqEyOU
Posted by: Dan | January 28, 2008 10:26 AM
Poor Rudy.
I guess he'll just have to go back to serving his country by making large amounts of money lobbying on the behalf of Citgo and Qatar.
Posted by: Luke | January 28, 2008 10:48 AM
McCain continues to try and lie his way to the nomination. Everything he's said today is a flat out lie! Don't be deceived by this bitter angry old politician!!!
Posted by: Ruthie | January 28, 2008 10:58 AM
Romney is the best candidate. McCain is a wolf in sheep's clothing. He is STILL working with open borders people and plans.
Open borders advocate Juan Hernandez has joined the McCain campaign
http://hotair.com/archives/2008/01/25/dr-juan-hernandez-has -joined-the-mccain-campaign/
McCain Immigration 'Adviser' Believes in 'Mexico First'
http://newsbusters.org/blogs/d-s-hube/2008/01/26/mccain-imm igration-adviser-believes-mexico-first
McCain Advisor: "Think Mexico First"
http://www.townhall.com/Columnists/KevinMcCullough/2008/01/ 27/mccain_advisor_think_mexico_first
Posted by: America FIRST | January 28, 2008 11:16 AM
Want to see a lie? Here's a whopper.
Mitt Romney now: "I'll fight to save every job." Mitt Romney then: "I'll just turn my back while we're laying off all these people."
And unlike the people slandering McCain I've got a news story that shows EXACTLY how Mittens made money as Bain CEO by acquiring, closing down, and selling off smaller companies assets for a profit. And this guy claims he knows how to "create jobs?"
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/01/27/as_bain_slashed_jobs_romney_stayed_to_side/
Posted by: Jeff | January 28, 2008 11:53 AM
"AT&T & VERIZON WIRELESS SPEAKS"
GIVE ME IMMUNITY AND WE WILL GIVE YOU JOHN MCCAIN AND FOUR (4) MORE YEARS TO BUILD SATANS BIOMETRIC SATONIC WRIST WATCH MADE IN HECHO.
GIVE ME IMMUNITY OR GEORGE BUSH WILL VETO YOU INTO THE DARKEN DOORS OF HIS WHITEHOUSE.
GIVE ME IMMUNITY OR I WILL TAKE AWAY MY STIMULUS PACKAGE FROM EVERY BUSINESS IN NEED OF SOME STIMULUS.
GIVE ME IMMUNITY AND JUST STOP ALL OF THIS "CONGRESSIONAL CHURN"
WE TRIED BUT WE COULDN'T DO IT, WE TRIED BUT WE COULDN'T DO IT!
WE HOPE!
Posted by: Roger Morris | January 28, 2008 11:56 AM
The mainstream media keep fluffing McCain to an extent unmatched with any recent politician for the simple reason that he gives journalists access and socializes with them. This is a two-way love-fest, as true love always is. It has almost nothing to do with whether McCain is actually a good candidate.
Posted by: DBX | January 28, 2008 12:25 PM
The oldest man ever to become president for 1st term was William Harrison (age 68). He caught pneumonia on inaguration day and died a month later. So much for the geriatric candidate.
Posted by: Huckleberry | January 28, 2008 12:38 PM
I am voting for Governor Mike Huckabee!
Governor Huckabee is the only true pro-life man running.
Mike Huckabee cares about all people living in our Country, and he makes that so obvious. What a great man.
Dan Campbell
Sgt., USMC
Posted by: Dan Campbell | January 28, 2008 12:44 PM
Anyone but RUDY!!!!
Disappear please. Go look for wife #4.
Posted by: beth | January 28, 2008 12:52 PM
Here is my Democratic view of the candidates (please don't insult me, I am only trying to express the opposite side of the aisle).
John McCain-I don't know why so many in the conserv. block hate him. He is probably one of the only few republicans that democrats respect and he does say things that need to be said about both parties.
Mitt Rommney-I think he is just more obvious about being a politician who will say anything to win.
Rudy G-You can only say 911 so much in a speach, candidancy and election.
Mike Hukabee-I don't think we need a theocracy running this country.
All the candidates have good qualities, but its harder and harder to see what they are when there own "supporters" tear them apart.
Posted by: Nora | January 28, 2008 1:17 PM
The Florida primary votes are already cast and whoever wins on the Republican side the American people are going to be the real losers as you know we have precious few real heroes we can look up to in Congress and this week we lost one. When John McCain slid down into the gutter politics and deliberately lied about Gov. Mitt Romeny and the troop surge he not only lost votes but also much more important respect .As the rest of America military voters are split on who to vote to become this country’s leader and their commander in chief, the one thing they all agreed on was the hero status of the senator from Arizona. I served under Admiral McCain the father of John McCain and I know he would not be proud of these latest tactics of his son.
Posted by: Roddy | January 28, 2008 1:26 PM
LOL, Jeff/Bill thinks Clinton is from the far Left wing of the Democratic party. Your so adorable little Jeff/Bill.
Posted by: julia | January 28, 2008 1:47 PM
If Romney gets nominated, we can expect pandering to the religious right, including flip-flopping opportunistically the way he has ever since his "principles" as governor of Massaschusets.
If McCain gets the nomination, at least we'll be told to our face: continue the war in Iraq however long it takes. (LBJ gave up after 55000 American dead.) We also can expect more tax cuts for the wealthy.
As for the Democrats: the Zogby poll showed that Hillary would be defeated by any Republican nominee, while Obama would vanquish them all.
What would be the smart move by the Democrats?
Abbie Lipschutz
Posted by: Abbie Lipschutz | January 28, 2008 2:00 PM
Poor Rudy has too many demons to be elected President, the man is a full-blown sex addict and the truth is out that is why his polling numbers have fallen through the floor.
Posted by: larry miller | January 28, 2008 4:26 PM
I'm surprized the media is so in love with McCain!?
Posted by: Dave | January 28, 2008 9:57 AM
Dave it should come as no surprise. McCain has always been friendly with the media, and is a very likeable guy. Romney on the other hand is very starched, and seemingly unapproachable. Whether this is true or not, he doesn't seem to inspire the "love McCain does."
Romney seems like a smart guy unlike Rudy who followed the Florida campaign strategy. Does anyone want this guy as our commander in Chief???
Posted by: Logic Prisoner | January 28, 2008 4:45 PM
"BUSH WAG-THE-DOG CHEERLEADERS SPEAK"
TWO BIDS 8 YEARS AND NO DOLLAR. VOTE FOR ME, NO VOTE FOR ME, NO VOTE FOR ME.
I WILL ROLL'EM ROLL'EM RAWHIDE IN ARIZONA, VOTE FOR ME, JOHN "SHOOT STRAIGHT" MCCAIN. THAT'S HOW THE WEST WAS WON. SHOOT EM UP, LOCK EM UP, AND GIVE ALL THE BROWN PEOPLE A BIOMETRIC TATOO.
MITT SAYS YOU CAN CUT MY GRASS, MOW MY YARD. YOU DON'T NEED NO STIKIN "REAL ID" JUST ATTEST TO BEING HERE ILLEGAL AND I WILL MAKE SURE YOU GET THAT "Z" CARD WE PROMISED YOU AND SEND YOU TO IRAQ WITH YOUR LATIN AMERICAN BUDDIES ALREADY THERE YOU WORKER BROTHA'S OF THE NEW MILLENIUM.
MR. SKYWATCH RUDY GIULIANI SIMPLY SAYS, I DON'T RECALL. I KNOW FRED THOMPSON AND JOE LIEBERMAN DON'T RECALL WHO THOUGHT OF HOMELAND SECURITY FIRST.
LETS ASK AT&T OR VERIZON THEY KNOW, KNEW AND HAVE KNOWN BEFORE, BEFORE, AND BEFORE BEFORE AFTER BEFORE.
Posted by: Roger Morris | January 28, 2008 5:21 PM
Mitt Romney is what the US presidency needs. Why don't people see it? The media hates him. How will any of their Democrats win? If the media wasn't so liberal, this would already be in the bag.
McCain is who the media wants to win. Then they will have 2 liberals running for office. McCain lies about Mitt Romney's record and makes a scathing ad about him. Romney has continually been positive and when he has shown comparision ads, they were not mean-spirited and belittling. McCain is a nasty - terrible person. I used to think that he was decent, but now I really know differently. He would be an embarassment to our country. He is the opposite of presidential.
Posted by: niqueie | January 28, 2008 5:22 PM