However, a Rasmussen Reports survey found that a plurality of voters have favorable opinions of Betty Castor, Bill McCollum, Mel Martinez, Jeb Bush, John Kerry and George Bush.

The survey, conducted immediately prior to the President's Press Conference on Iraq, also found the race for the White House too close to call in Florida (Kerry 47% Bush 46%).

Opinions of the Bush brothers are held much more firmly than for any other political figures tested in this poll. That's to be expected given the wide visibility earned by a Governor and President.

For President George Bush, 74% of voters have a strong opinion one way or the other about him. For Governor Jeb Bush, 63% have such a strong opinion.

When it comes to Presidential contender John Kerry, 48% have strong views and 47% had softer views--either somewhat favorable or somewhat unfavorable.

Forty-five percent (45%) have strong opinions about retiring Senator Bob Graham and 48% have a less firm view. For the three candidates hoping to replace Graham, a much smaller percentage of voters have firm opinions.

When it comes to managing the economy, 47% of Florida voters prefer Bush and 44% Kerry. Additional data on Florida perceptions of the economy will be released later.

Forty-six percent (46%) of Florida voters say their own taxes will go up if Kerry is elected while 33% believe their taxes will stay about the same.

If Bush is elected, 54% expect their taxes to remain about the same and just 23% expect to personally experience a tax hike.

During Election 2000, Rasmussen conducted Florida surveys seven times between Labor Day and Election Day, the candidates were tied or within two points of each other six out of seven times. The seventh survey, conducted immediately after the first Bush-Gore debate, showed Bush with a 4-point lead.

Many of the early Election 2004 state polls suggest that Election 2004 is starting where Election 2000 left off. This includes polls in Washington, Michigan, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania. In Iowa, a state that Bush narrowly lost four years ago, he is trailing by a somewhat larger margin so far this year. In Ohio, a state that Bush won four years ago, the President is currently trailing. Bush is leading in Missouri by seven points. He won that state by four points the last time.

On a national basis this time around, the Rasmussen Reports Presidential Election Tracking Poll has found Bush and Kerry virtually even for weeks.

In January, Rasmussen Reports survey found the President leading a generic Democrat in Florida by two points. Bush also had a substantial lead over then-front-runner Howard Dean.