Last Saturday night, the television networks were able to declare Barack Obama the winner in South Carolina the moment the polls closed. That’s unlikely to happen in Florida’s Republican Presidential Primary. The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey in Florida shows John McCain and Mitt Romney tied at 31% in the final competition before Super Tuesday. Rasmussen Markets data also showed the race to be a toss-up just before the voting began.

While much attention will be focused on who wins today’s primary election, the biggest long-term impact in the race for the nomination may be what happens to Rudy Giuliani and what he does about it. If, as expected, Giuliani finishes a distant third, there are some indications he might drop out of the race. The former Mayor of New York City is still the top choice for just over 10% of Republican Likely Voters nationwide. Whether those voters break for McCain or Romney could determine the eventual nominee.

Data from the Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll shows that 63% of Giuliani voters nationwide are politically conservative and 37% are not. Fifty-three percent (53%) of McCain supporters are conservative, 47% are not. Romney’s support is more solidly conservative—84% of his voters describe themselves in this way.

The election in Florida may ultimately be decided by the number of Giuliani and Huckabee supporters who decide to abandon their first choice in hopes of influencing the outcome.

Among Huckabee supporters, 87% have a favorable opinion of McCain. Only 52% have a favorable opinion of Romney.

Among Giuliani supporters, 82% have a favorable opinion of Romney. Just 61% have a favorable opinion of McCain.

Forty percent (40%) of Giuliani supporters say the economy is the top voting issue but 45% name either the War in Iraq or National Security.

Thirty-two percent (32%) of Huckabee supporters name the economy as the top issue while 31% say Government Ethics and Corruption is their highest priority.

In Florida, Giuliani currently attracts 16% of the vote and Huckabee is in fourth place at 11%.

Nationally, in the Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll, McCain and Romney have pulled away from the rest of the field. The economy is seen as the top voting issue for all voters nationwide.

Rasmussen Markets data suggests that McCain has a 55.0 % chance of winning in Florida while Romney is given a 47.4 % chance.. According to the markets, Giuliani is a distant third with a 3.7 % chance of victory. Numbers in this paragraph are from a prediction market, not a poll. Using a trading format where traders "buy and sell" candidates, issues, and news features, the Rasmussen Markets harness competitive passions to provide a reliable leading indicator of upcoming events. We invite you to participate in the Rasmussen Markets. It costs nothing to join and add your voice to the collective wisdom of the market. Prospects for California and other races are featured on the Rasmussen Markets Summary page.

Among Florida Democrats, Hillary Clinton has a substantial lead.