Seniors Give Gore Florida Edge
Veep Leads Bush In Sunshine State, 46% To 42%
Democrat Nelson Leads GOP's McCollum In Senate Race
CBS News/New York Times Poll, Oct. 22-24
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NEW YORK, Oct. 25, 2000
CBS/AP
(CBS) Al Gore has a small lead over George W. Bush in the crucial race for Florida's 25 electoral votes, according to a new CBS News/New York Times poll.
Senior citizens, who make up more than a quarter of the state's likely voters, are helping the vice president to a 46 percent to 42 percent edge over the Texas governor, but Gore's lead is just within the poll's margin of error. Ralph Nader and Pat Buchanan trail far behind.
In the Florida Senate race, Democrat Bill Nelson, the state insurance commissioner, has a 42-33 percent lead over GOP Congressman Bill McCollum.
Voters 65 and older give Gore a ten-point edge – enough to make the difference in the race. And their support seems more driven by issues than by personal characteristics; just as many seniors say Bush cares about their needs and problems as think Gore does. Gore also does well with women voters, who give him a ten-point lead.
Florida voters in general are paying more attention to the campaign and may be more committed to their choices than voters are nationally. More than 90 percent of those who have chosen a candidate say their mind is made up and won't change, and more than half of each candidate's supporters describe themselves as enthusiastic. More than half of all registered voters are paying a lot of attention to the campaign. Seniors in particular are more attentive and those who have made a choice are overwhelmingly enthusiastic and committed. |
