The results of the poll showed that 47% of those polled approved of President Bush's overall job performance, with 43% disapproving and 10% undecided. When asked to rate the President's handling of the economy, 46% approved; 43% disapproved; and 11% were undecided. On the issue of Iraq, the poll found 47% approved of the President's handling; with 42% disapproving; and 11% undecided.

"The President's numbers have dropped since our July poll most significantly on the issue of Iraq," said David E. Johnson, CEO and Co-Founder of Strategic Vision, LLC. "While some of these falling numbers can be attributed to rising gas prices and the Cindy Sheehan story, there is a general feeling that the Administration is drifting."

The poll showed 55% of respondents approving of Governor Jeb Bush's job performance; 34% disapproving; and 11% undecided. When asked if they would like to see Jeb Bush run for President in 2008, 33% said yes; 52% said no; and 15% were undecided. When asked if they would like to see Jeb Bush as a Vice Presidential candidate in 2008, the results were 47% yes; 37% no; and 16% undecided.

"Support for a Bush run for President in 2008 has declined significantly among Floridians since the beginning of the year," said Johnson. "However there seems to be growing support for Governor Bush as a vice presidential candidate and one could see how he might add strength to a Republican ticket headed by a John McCain or Rudy Guiliani and such a move would set him up for a potential run at the White House in 2012 or 2016."

The poll asked Republican respondents their choices for the Republican Presidential nomination in 2008 with Jeb Bush included. The results were former New York City Mayor Rudy Guiliani with 30%; Arizona Senator John McCain with 19%; Florida Governor Bush with 16%; former House Speaker Newt Gingrich with 8%; Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist with 6%; Virginia Senator George Allen with 3%; Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum with 2%; Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney with 1%; Nebraska Senator Chuck Hagel with 1%;New York Governor George Pataki with 1% and 13% undecided. With Jeb Bush not included, the results were Guliani with 34%; McCain 23%; Gingrich 9%; Frist 7%; Allen 4%; Pataki 2%; Santorum 2%; Romney 1%; Hagel with 1%; and 17% undecided.

"Polls at this time must be considered reflections of name identification," said Johnson, "However at this point the race seems to be to become the alternative to a Guiliani or McCain."

When Republicans were asked if they would like to see Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice run in 2006, 48% said yes; 30% said no; and 22% were undecided.

When Secretary Rice was included the poll, the results were, Guliani with 23%; Rice 21%; McCain 11%; Gingrich 6%; Frist 4%; Allen 2%; Pataki 2%; Santorum 2%; Romney 1%; Hagel with 1%; and 27% undecided.

"A Rice candidacy would change the dynamics of the entire Republican race," said Johnson.

The poll asked Democrats their choice for the Democratic Presidential nomination in 2008. Hillary Clinton led with 37%; followed by Al Gore with 14%; John Kerry with 11%; John Edwards with 5%; Wesley Clark with 5%; Delaware Senator Joseph Biden with 3%; New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson with 2%; Wisconsin Senator Russ Feingold with 2%; Virginia Governor Mark Warner 2%; Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell with 1%; Iowa Governor Tom Vilsak with 1%; Indiana Senator Evan Bayh with 1%; California Senator Barbara Boxer with 1%; and 15% undecided.

"Hillary Clinton continues to remain the top choice for Democrats in 2008," said Johnson. "The race among Democrats at this point is to emerge as the alternative to Clinton, what strategy they pursue in doing this will define this race."

When asked if they approved President Bush's selection of Judge John Roberts to replace Sandra Day O'Connor on the Supreme Court, 57% said yes; 33% said no; and 10% were undecided.

When asked if they would like to see the United States Supreme Court overturn Roe v. Wade, 38% said yes; 56% said no; and 6% were undecided.

When asked if they believed President Bush should have met with Cindy Sheehan at Crawford, Texas, 32% said yes; 55% said no; and 13% were undecided.

When asked if they approved of Cindy Sheehan's protest against the Iraq War at Crawford, Texas, 29% approved; 56% disapproved; and 15% were undecided.

Florida's elected officials received generally good marks from the public for their job performance with one exception being Senator Bill Nelson. Lt. Governor Toni Jennings received a 50% approval rating; with 18% disapproving; and 32% undecided. Fifty-five percent of those polled approved of Attorney General Charlie Crist's job performance; with 31% disapproving; and 14% undecided. Chief Financial Officer Tom Gallagher received a 56% approval rating; with 30% disapproving; and 14% undecided. State Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Bronson received a 49% approval rating; with 20% disapproving; and 31% undecided. United States Senator Bill Nelson received a 48% approval rating; 40% disapproval rating; and 12% undecided. United States Senator Mel Martinez received an approval rating of 42%; with 33% disapproving; and 25% undecided.

"Floridians seem generally satisfied with their elected officials," said Johnson. "Senator Nelson's job approval numbers confirm the reason that he is considered one of the most vulnerable Senators seeking re-election in 2006 along with Lincoln Chaffee, Rick Santorum, and Maria Cantwell."

When Republicans were asked their choice for Governor in 2006, 47% selected Attorney General Charlie Crist; 35% selected Chief Financial Officer Tom Gallagher; and 18% were undecided.

"Crist has the lead and momentum at this juncture among the Republicans," said Johnson. "The question remains how will Gallagher be able to maneuver and find an opening that will allow this race to remain competitive."

When asked if they were satisfied with the two Republican candidates or would prefer another candidate, 63% said they were satisfied; 14% said they would prefer another choice; and 23% were undecided.

When Democrats were polled for their choice for Governor in 2006, 27% selected Congressman Jim Davis; 13% selected State Senator Rod Smith; 10% selected former Florida Democratic Party Chairman Scott Maddox; with 50% undecided.

When Democrats were asked if they were satisfied with the three Democratic candidates or would prefer another candidate, 39% said they were satisfied; 55% said they would prefer another candidate; and 6% were undecided.

"The Democratic race for Governor is wide open at this point with Davis in the lead," said Johnson. "At this point none of the candidates seem to be catching on with voters and there is an opening for another candidate to emerge. If no other candidate emerges this contest may become a slow war of attrition."

In a match-up between Attorney General Crist and Congressman Davis, Crist led 48% to 35% with 17% undecided. In a match-up between Chief Financial Officer Tom Gallagher and Davis, the results were Gallagher 47%; Davis 33%; and 20% undecided. In match-ups with State Senator Smith, the results were Crist 49%; Smith 29%; and 22% undecided; Gallagher 48%; Smith 26%; and 26% undecided. The results with Scott Maddox as the potential Democratic nominee were Crist 49%; Maddox 26%; and 25% undecided; Gallagher 48%; Maddox 25%; and 27% undecided.

"The Republicans lead each of the potential Democratic candidates by sizeable advantages," said Johnson. "This can be attributed to the fact that the Republicans are known statewide where the Democratic candidates are not and are barely known among Democratic voters. However, this name recognition will change as the campaigns heat up if the Democrats are able to run a strong media campaign."

When Republicans were asked their choices for a Senate nominee against Bill Nelson in 2006, the results were Congresswoman Katherine Harris 55%; former General Tommy Franks 20%; Lt. Governor Toni Jennings 8%; Congressman Mark Foley 6%; and 11% undecided.

"Without a doubt, Katherine Harris is the first choice among grassroots Republicans for the United States Senate despite suggestions that the White House and other Republicans still desire another candidate," said Johnson. "At this point if she were challenged by a fellow Republican, the challenger would have to persuade Republican primary voters that Harris could not win against Nelson and that he or she was the only candidate who could win."

When all respondents were asked if they have had a favorable or unfavorable opinion of Katherine Harris, 38% said favorable; 35% said unfavorable; and 27% were undecided. When all respondents were asked if they had a favorable or unfavorable opinion of Bill Nelson, 39% said favorable; 14% said unfavorable; and 47% were undecided.

"Harris' problem at this point is the residual affect of the 2000 election is hurting her, as did a kickoff that received mixed reviews, the good news for Harris is that the campaign is still early," said Johnson. "For Nelson the good news is the ratio between his favorable and unfavorable rating, the bad news is the large number who are undecided on him which is an opening for any challenger."

In a potential match-up with Senator Nelson, the results were Nelson 47%; Harris 38%; 15% undecided; Nelson 45%; Franks 44%; and 11% undecided; Nelson 46%; Jennings 40%; 14% undecided; Nelson 45%; Foley 39%; and 16% undecided.

"Both Harris and Nelson lost support in a match-up since our July poll," said Johnson. "Regardless of how Harris or any Republican is polling what is significant is that they are holding Nelson below 50%. Usually incumbent Senators of either Party poll significantly higher then their opponent this early out. Nelson's numbers are only slightly better then those posted by Paula Hawkins in 1986 before she was defeated by Bob Graham."

When asked if they felt that Florida was going in the right direction, 52% said right; 44 % said wrong; and 4% were undecided.

When asked if they would support a state constitutional ban on same-sex marriages, 61% said yes; 33 % said no; and 6% were undecided.

"The same-sex marriage ban has appeal in the African-American community and the Hispanic community, as well, as to be expected support in North Florida," said Johnson. "This could become a major issue in 2006, and would based upon what we saw in various states in 2004, help Republicans."

© 2005 Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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