October 06, 2004

Abstract: (CPOD) Oct. 6, 2004 - George W. Bush could carry the state of Florida in the 2004 United States presidential election, according to a poll by Rasmussen Reports. 51 per cent of respondents would vote for the Republican incumbent, while 47 per cent would support Democratic nominee John Kerry.

(CPOD) Oct. 6, 2004 - George W. Bush could carry the state of Florida in the 2004 United States presidential election, according to a poll by Rasmussen Reports. 51 per cent of respondents would vote for the Republican incumbent, while 47 per cent would support Democratic nominee John Kerry.

One per cent of respondents would vote for another candidate, and two per cent are undecided. The election is scheduled for Nov. 2.

Support for Bush increased by two per cent since August, while backing for Kerry remained stable. In July, the Democrat held a two per cent lead over the Republican.

Florida's 27 electoral votes decided the 2000 presidential election, after weeks of recounts and court injunctions concluded in a 537-vote victory for Bush over Democrat Al Gore. Since 1972, the only Democrats to carry Florida in a presidential election are Jimmy Carter in 1976 and Bill Clinton in 1996.

Polling Data

What candidate would you vote for in the 2004 U.S. presidential election?

	Sept. 27-Oct. 2	Aug. 24	Jul. 2004	Jun. 2004
George W. Bush (R)	51%	49%	45%	43%
John Kerry (D)	47%	47%	47%	48%
Other	1%	4%	4%	5%
Undecided	2%	1%	4%	4%

Source: Rasmussen Reports
Methodology: Telephone interviews to 781 likely Florida voters, conducted from Sept. 27 to Oct. 2, 2004. Margin of error is 4 per cent.