The latest numbers in a
poll by Quinnipiac University of the '06 Governor's race in Florida:
Democrats
Betty Castor 36%
Bud Chiles 29%
Jim Davis 10%
Rod Smith 5%
Republicans
Charlie Crist 35%
Tom Gallagher 32%
Toni Jennings 16%
More on the races below the fold.
Democratic Senator Bill Nelson, who has no official challenger yet, had a decent showing in the poll.
"There's good news and bad news for Sen. Bill Nelson, whose biggest problem continues to be that one-third of Florida voters don't know much about him after four years in office," said Clay Richards, assistant director of the school's polling institute.
Sen. Nelson's adversion to making waves hasn't really paid off much for him. He managed to get 52% of Republicans to approve of his performance, but are they going to vote for him? By comparison, 49% of his Democratic constituents approve of the job he's doing. Um, way to work that base, Bill.
While his approval numbers are sufficent and his disapproval numbers exceptionally low at 17%, respondents in the poll still split 37-37 when asked if he should be re-elected. I see this as proof that in this purple state, voters aren't that likely to cross party lines at this time---Florida Democrats would fare better by appealing more to their base.
Although Nelson has no formal challengers at the moment, one name of potential candidates rose above the others: Katherine Harris. While I'd find it beyond painful to be subjected to her during the election cycle, her candidancy would be made of glass if we play hardball.
"Harris is obviously the best known name in the field, but I would also caution she might bring some negatives to the field after the election controversy," Richards said.
We could decimate her.