Poll Watch: Rasmussen Florida 2012 Republican Primary Survey

Rasmussen Florida 2012 GOP Primary Poll

• Mitt Romney 44% (39%) {32%} [41%] (24%)
• Newt Gingrich 28% (31%) {41%} [19%] (19%)
• Rick Santorum 12% (12%) {11%} [15%] (1%)
• Ron Paul 10% (9%) {8%} [9%] (3%)
• Undecided 5% (7%) {9%} [8%]

Are you certain you will vote for that candidate or is it possible that something come up that causes you to change your mind?

• Certain 74% (69%) {59%} [51%]
• Could change mind 21% (24%) {32%} [41%]
• No preference yet 5% (7%) {9%} [8%]

Which Republican presidential candidate would be the strongest opponent against Barack Obama in the general election?

• Mitt Romney 53% (49%) {39%}
• Newt Gingrich 29% (34%) {42%}

Survey of 750 likely Republican primary voters was conducted January 28, 2012. The margin of error is +/- 4 percentage points.  Results from the poll conducted January 25, 2012 are in parentheses.  Results from the poll conducted January 22, 2012 are in curly brackets.  Results from the poll conducted January 11, 2012 are in square brackets.  Results from the poll conducted November 8, 2011 are in parentheses.

Inside the numbers:

 Among Very Conservative voters, Gingrich leads by six. However, among those who are Somewhat Conservative, it's Romney by a 52% to 24% margin. The former governor also leads by 20 among those who are not conservative.

Sixty-eight percent (68%) in Florida now expect Romney to eventually win the GOP presidential nomination, up from 55% on Wednesday. Just 21% think Gingrich will be the nominee, down from 31% earlier in the week.

Seventy percent (70%) of Likely Florida Primary Voters have a favorable opinion of Romney. Gingrich is viewed favorably by 58%, Santorum by 64% and Paul by 37%.

Just 24% say the debates are a Very Important factor in their voting decision. Another 57% say they are Somewhat Important.

Twenty-four percent (24%) of Florida primary voters believe it would be good for another candidate to get in the race for the Republican presidential nomination. Nationally, that figure is 33%.

Three percent (3%) rate the economy as good or excellent, while 67% say it's in poor shape. Fourteen percent (14%) say the economy is getting better, but 59% believe it is getting worse.