Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney is in a statistical dead heat with President Barack Obama coming out of the Democrat convention, according to a poll conducted for one of the state’s biggest business lobbyists.

The majority responded “no” to the GOP's recently oft-repeated question “Are you better off today than four years ago?”  

And the need for jobs was listed as the most important issue to polled Floridians deemed likely to vote in the November general election, in the Associated Industries of Florida poll.

Besides providing a snapshot on the key swing state, AIF also looked at the results as a continued sign for Florida legislators to remain committed to easing regulations that hinder private business.

“These poll results demonstrate that irrespective of party affiliation, Floridians believe the private sector is leading the way in what is most critical to our state right now -- job creation,”  Tom Feeney, AIF president and CEO, stated in a release.

“As we head into the election and prepare for the 2013 legislative session, lawmakers and candidates should take note that their constituents have faith in the ability of the private sector to help turn our economy and job market around.

“Advancing policies that cultivate a business-friendly environment will accelerate our economic rebound and put people back to work.”

With a 4 percent margin of error, Romney received 49.5 percent support to 47.2 percent for President Obama.

One could surmise that more people who identified themselves as Republicans were questioned as those claiming to be unaffiliated with any party were evenly split, 46.5 percent for both major candidates.

McLaughlin & Associates conducted the telephone poll of 600 randomly-selected likely voters on Sept. 9 and 10.

More than half, 54.7 percent, felt they were not better off than four years ago, while 40 percent said they were.

More than two-thirds considered the private sector as being better at job creation than the government and public sector programs.



Reach Jim Turner at jturner@sunshinestatenews.com or at (772) 215-9889.