RealClearPolitics - FL: Outsiders Hold Edge In Primaries
by:
Ira, 7/29/2010 1:00:06 PM
A new Quinnipiac survey in Florida shows primary trouble for a couple formerly presumed nominees.
In the Republican primary for governor, wealthy hospital entrepreneur Rick Scott leads Attorney General Bill McCollum by a 43%-32% margin, with 23% undecided. In the Democratic Senate primary, billionaire Jeff Greene has pulled out to a 33%-23% lead over Miami-area Rep. Kendrick Meek, with 35% undecided.
The Aug. 24 primary is now just more than three weeks away.
"If there was any doubt that enough money can make a political unknown into a front-runner, the Democratic Senate primary and the Republican primary for governor should lay them to rest," said Quinnipiac assistant director Peter A. Brown. "Both Greene and Scott have come from nowhere to hold double-digit leads with just a little more than three weeks until the voting."
Unlike Greene, who's been on TV for weeks, Meek just released his first TV ad. But both candidates remain mostly unknown to voters - 55% said they don't know enough about Meek to form an opinion of him and 47% said the same about Greene. Just more than half of Democratic primary voters said they could still change their mind on who to vote for.
In the governor's race, Scott's lack of political experience is giving him an edge over McCollum, as 54% said they'd prefer an outsider and just 28% want someone with years of government experience. In the Senate race, more people say they'd prefer someone with government experience (44%) than an outsider (35%).
"In most election years, McCollum's almost two decades of experience in government would be a major asset, but this year it appears to be a liability, since Scott has scored points labeling his opponent a 'career politician,'" said Brown.
The Quinnipiac survey was conducted July 22-27 of 760 likely Republican primary voters with a 3.6% margin of error. The survey of 782 likely Democratic primary voters held a 3.5% margin of error.