On the eve of a Republican Presidential Debate in Boca Raton, the latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 36% of Florida’s Republican Primary Voters could still change their mind before voting. That figure includes 4% who haven’t yet settled on a candidate and 9% who say there’s a good chance they could change their mind.

That’s more than enough uncommitted voters to determine what has become a very close race and it certainly raises the stakes in tonight’s debate.

The Rasmussen Reports telephone survey finds Mitt Romney with 27% of the vote, John McCain with 23%, and Rudy Giuliani picking up support from 20%. Nineteen percent (19%) of those surveyed have already cast their ballots.

Romney has picked up two points since the previous Rasmussen Reports poll conducted on Sunday night. McCain has gained three points and Giuliani just one. In between the two polls, former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson dropped out of the race leaving the major candidates scrambling for his support.

Mike Huckabee rose to 15%, Ron Paul earns 4% of the vote, and 6% have either voted for some other candidate or will do so. Nationally, in the Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll, McCain, Romney, and Huckabee are on top.

In Florida, 67% of Giuliani’s supporters are certain they will vote for him. Sixty-five percent (65%) of Romney’s voters are that “certain” along with 62% of McCain’s fans. In earlier primaries, the race has eventually settled down to a two-person race with support dropping off for other candidates. Giuliani could lose support if that happens in Florida.

Rasmussen Markets data suggests that McCain has a % chance of winning in Florida while Romney is given a % chance. Immediately following his victory in South Carolina, McCain was given a 70% chance of winning Florida. But, expectations for the Arizona Senator have declined in recent days. According to the markets, Giuliani is a distant third with a % 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, Rasmussen Markets harnesses 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 Florida and other candidates are featured on the Rasmussen Markets Summary page.

The economy is the top issue, named by 46% of Florida’s Republican Primary Voters as most important. National security was named by 15%, immigration by 14%, and the War in Iraq by 11%.

However, 53% said it’s more important to select a President who can handle national security issues. Forty percent (40%) put a priority on selecting someone who could handle economic issues.

Fifty-seven percent (57%) say the Chairman of the Federal Reserve has more control over the economy than the President of the United States. Thirty-three percent (33%) believe the President has more control.

Forty-seven percent (47%) say the best thing the government can do to help the economy is cut taxes. Thirty-eight percent (38%) say cut spending while 12% say cutting interest rates is the best cure. Only 1% thought an increase in government spending was the best way to stimulate the economy.

Seventy-one percent (71%) of Republican Primary Voters say that the best thing the government can do to help the economy is to get out of the way by cutting taxes and regulation.

In Florida, Romney leads among conservative voters, attracting 35% of them. Giuliani is second with 21% while McCain gets 15% of the conservative vote.

Among moderates, McCain dominates with 35% support. Giuliani is second with 22% and Romney is at 17%.

Sixty-nine percent (69%) of Primary Voters believe McCain would be at least somewhat likely to win the White House if nominated. Sixty-eight percent (68%) say the same about Romney and 66% hold that view of Giuliani.

Among Florida Democrats, Hillary Clinton has a substantial lead.

Before the caucuses and primaries began, Huckabee led the Florida Primary in December. Giuliani held the lead in November.

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