Election Poll Shows Republican Strength in Florida

A review of polls completed by Floridians who participated in a national pre-election survey of over 14,000 likely voters conducted by the non-partisan organization, The Free Enterprise Nation, indicates that Republicans and independents will participate in a massive turnout on November 2, and that independent voters tend to see the issues the same as Republicans.

Poll conducted October 21 to October 27- See Florida poll results at http://www.thefreeenterprisenation.org/sp/poll-results/The-FEN-2010-National-Pre-Election-Poll-Results-FL.aspx

James MacDougald, president of The Free Enterprise Nation, reported that while voters of both major parties as well as independents agreed that unemployment is the leading issue of the day, there was also common ground among all poll participants when the majority agreed that they were no better off financially than last year.

Most Pressing Issue For Florida Voters

1. Unemployment- 55%
2. Federal Deficit- 33%
3. Healthcare Reform, Social Issues, War in Afghanistan- 12%

Are You Financially Better Off Than Last Year?

1. No - 68%
2. Yes- 12%
3. Same- 20%

But the common ground disappeared when opinions as to the desire to repeal the new healthcare reform act were analyzed.  While Democrats generally oppose repeal, Republicans and independents strongly favor repeal, and independents represent a growing political force in Florida and the nation.

Total % of Florida Voters Who Identify Themselves As Independent- 32%

“The high number of independents was pretty unexpected,” said MacDougald. “We had always believed that independents represented 20% rather than 32% of the electorate. And independents don’t like the health care reform legislation.”

“Favor” or “Oppose” the Repeal of the Recently Passed Healthcare Reform Legislation

1. Democrats- 73% Oppose repeal
2. Independents- 73% Favor repeal
3. Republicans- 94% Favor repeal

What surprised MacDougald and other analysts was that the independents’ answers to most key questions were much more similar to the responses of Republicans than to Democrats.

“What is really remarkable,” said MacDougald, “is that this election is beginning to look like the opposite of 2008.  With this poll, we saw a very high degree of participation by the age group that is 50 or over, and very low participation by those under 35.  We believe that these levels of participation will be mirrored at the polls next Tuesday.” 

MacDougald added that of the 110 million voters over age 50 in the country, the majority call themselves independent or Republican, and they plan to vote this election cycle.  The issue of the poor US economy is considered the most important issue by all, but defining who is to blame varies strongly by party.

Who Is Most Responsible For the Current Weak Economy?

1.  Republicans- 93% blame President Obama and Congress

2.  Independents- 70%  blame President Obama and Congress

3.  Democrats- 86% blame President Bush, Wall Street, and big corporations

“The problem for Democrats,” says MacDougald, “is the independent voter. Bush, Wall Street, and big corporations are not on the ballot next Tuesday, but Congress is. Independents and Republicans blame President Obama and Congress for our current economic problems. And that’s bad news for the Democrats.”

For poll results

 The Free Enterprise Nation is a non-partisan member based organization representing American employees and businesses in the private sector.  Its President, James MacDougald is a regular guest on many national news networks including CNBC, FOX News, CNN and MSNBC and was recently prominently featured in the John Stossel special, The Battle for the Future.

Contact: The Free Enterprise Nation

Kathleen Mott (813) 384-2400

Email: kmott@thefreeenterprisenation.org