Some Republicans are questioning the methodology utilized in this morning's Quinnipiac University poll that shows Charlie Crist leading Rick Scott by 10 points - 48-38 percent, and also shows Floridians taking progressive stances on immigration and same-sex marriage.
Of the 1,413 voters surveyed by Quinnipiac, 34 percent identified themselves as Independent, 31 percent as Democrats and only 25 percent as Republicans.
With more and more voters identifying as independents, the fact that they are the dominant demographic represented in the poll isn't being challenged; no, the questioning comes about the fact that six percent more Democrats than Republicans are used in the survey. Virtually every indicator of voter intensity taken so far this year nationally shows that GOP voters are more likely to turn up at the polls this fall, thus the questioning goes, how truly representative is the poll?
But still, the results aren't good here for Governor Scott. Amongst independents, Crist leads 48-34 percent. His 10-point lead overall is his biggest in any major poll conducted this spring. But the strong Democratic surge is not trickling down to the other Democrat in the gubernatorial race, former Senate Minority Leader Nan Rich. She trails Scott by a 42-36 percent margin.
On other issues - Florida voters support 56 - 39 percent allowing same-sex couples to marry. Quinnipiac reports that every age group supports same-sex marriage except voters over 65 years old, who are divided with 45 percent in favor and 49 percent opposed.
One one of the biggest issues in this year's legislative session - in-state tuition for undocumented immigrants in Florida high schools - voters by a 55 - 41 percent support that idea.
Men, women and all age groups support the idea. Support is 75 - 21 percent among Democrats and 57 - 40 percent among independent voters, with Republicans opposed 66 - 29 percent.
"A number of states already allow high school graduates in the United States illegally to qualify for the in-state tuition at their public colleges and Floridians seem to think it's a good idea," Quinnipiac's Peter Brown says.
