McCain Takes Slim Florida Lead

Governor's endorsement counts big with conservatives
By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff
Posted Jan 28, 2008 7:13 AM CST
McCain Takes Slim Florida Lead
Republican presidential hopeful Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., right, and Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, who endorsed McCain for president, speak to reporters during a campaign stop at the First Watch Cafe ahead of Florida's presidential primary election in Tampa, Fla., Sunday, Jan. 27, 2008. (AP Photo/Charles...   (Associated Press)

Apparently, Florida Governor Charlie Crist has the golden touch. John McCain rose 3 points overnight in Florida after Crist endorsed him Saturday, pulling ahead of Mitt Romney in the latest Reuters/Zogby poll. Most significantly, McCain wiped out Romney’s 6-point edge amongst conservatives. “One day doesn’t make a trend, but to gain three points in a day could be significant,” said pollster John Zogby. "McCain went from losing big among conservatives to a tie."

The race looks like another two-way contest between McCain (33%) and Romney (30%). Rudy Giuliani, who bet heavily on winning here, polls at just 14%. Mike Huckabee fell three points overnight, to 11%. Romney has lately tried to attack McCain’s economic credentials, a potentially savvy move, since 40% of Floridians identified the economy as the top issue. (More John McCain stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X