The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey in Florida shows John McCain holding a four-percentage point lead over Barack Obama and a seven- percentage point lead over Hillary Clinton. It’s McCain 47% Obama 43% and McCain 47% Clinton 40%. For Obama, this reflects a significant improvement compared to polling in February. For Clinton, little has changed.

The top three issues in the state are the economy, the War in Iraq, and National Security. Forty-seven percent (47%) say the economy is most important, 17% name Iraq, and 11% National Security. Nine percent (9%) say Immigration is the top issue while 5% say Health Care.

Among voters who consider the economy as the highest priority, Clinton enjoys a three-point advantage over McCain while Obama holds a six-point edge. Just 13% of Florida voters rate the U.S. economy as good or excellent. Thirty-four percent (34%) say fair, 49% poor. Ten percent (10%) say the economy is getting better while 74% say it is getting worse. Nationally, the Rasmussen Consumer Index shows consumer confidence near its lowest level of the past seven years.

Among voters who view the War in Iraq as the biggest voting issue of Election 2008, Clinton has a thirteen percentage point advantage over McCain and Obama leads the Republican hopeful by twenty-four points. However, among those who say National Security is most important, McCain leads Clinton 94% to 6% and Obama 89% to 5%.

Fifty percent (50%) of Florida voters believe the U.S. and its allies are winning the War on Terror while 26% believe the terrorists are winning. Those figures are close to the national average. Thirty-six percent (36%) believe the situation in Iraq will get better over the next six months while 27% say it will get worse.

Sixty-seven percent (67%) say that American society is generally fair and decent while 20% say it is unfair and discriminatory.

Among those who say society is fair and decent, McCain leads both Democrats by twenty-six percentage points. Among those who say it is unfair and discriminatory, Obama leads McCain by a four-to-one margin and Clinton leads by a three-to-one margin.

Florida is currently ranked as Leans Republican in the Rasmussen Reports Balance of Power Calculator. The Calculator is based upon latest poll results, data from Rasmussen Markets voting history, and other information. Other recent polling show McCain gaining ground on both Democrats in key states such as Ohio, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. See a summary of recent state-by-state general election polling.

The controversy over Florida’s convention delegates is of growing concern to Democrats. A recent survey showed that most Florida Democrats want to have a “do-over” Primary and that Hillary Clinton would be favored to win it. Florida was stripped of its seats at the Democratic National Convention as a penalty for holding its Primary before February 5. The candidates did not campaign in the state and Hillary Clinton handily won the popular vote.

Rasmussen Markets data just prior to the release of this poll showed that Republicans were favored carry Florida in the general election (current prices: Republican % Democrat %). Among Democrats, the Markets give Obama a % chance to win the nomination while expectations for a Clinton victory are at %. 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.

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