FLORIDA CHAMBER POLL: MCCAIN LEADS OBAMA 45% TO 42%

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (October 3, 2008) - A new poll released today by the Florida Chamber of Commerce shows Republicans John McCain and Sarah Palin leading Democrats Barack Obama and Joe Biden 45 percent to 42 percent. The poll, taken just before the vice presidential debate, also has Libertarian Bob Barr at 1 percent, Ecology Party nominee Ralph Nader at 1 percent and one of the other candidates at 1 percent. 10 percent are undecided.

The Florida Chamber poll asked likely voters the following question: If the election for President were held today, would you vote for (ROTATE) Republicans John McCain and Sarah Palin, Democrats Barack Obama and Joe Biden, Libertarian Bob Barr, Ecology Party Nominee Ralph Nader or one of the other candidates?

The results were:

Republicans John McCain/Sarah Palin 45%
Democrats Barack Obama/Joe Biden 42%
Libertarian Bob Barr 1%
Ecology Party Nominee Ralph Nader 1%
One of the Other Candidates 1%
Undecided/Don't Know/Refused 10%

"This is the Florida Chamber's first poll that includes the presidential candidates' running mates," said Marian Johnson, Vice President of Political Strategy for the Florida Chamber of Commerce. "Florida remains in play and we expect to see the candidates all over our state in the coming weeks. Third party candidates have yet to win over a significant number of Florida voters. But in a close election, as this one appears to be as of today, every vote matters so they remain a
factor."

The Florida Chamber poll also asked likely voters this question: Do you strongly approve, somewhat approve, somewhat disapprove or strongly disapprove of the federal government stepping in to try to address the
problems facing struggling financial institutions?

The results were:

Strongly Approve 21%
Approve 29%
Disapprove 19%
Strongly Disapprove 21%
Unsure/Refused 10%

The statewide poll was conducted September 30 - October 1, 2008 by the Florida Chamber of Commerce. 619 registered voters statewide were surveyed. This poll has a 95% confidence level and an overall margin of error of +/- 4.0% recognizing that smaller sample sizes increase the margin of error.

"We have a high level of confidence in these numbers," said Johnson.
"That's because we use live interviewers calling from a list of frequent voters who are then screened for their likelihood of actually voting."

A previous statewide poll conducted August 18-21, 2008 by the Florida Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with James T. Kitchens of The Kitchens Group yielded the following results: Republican John McCain 42%, Democrat Barack Obama 39%, One of the others 6% and Undecided 13%.

The August 18-21 Florida Chamber poll asked likely voters the following
question: If the election for president were held today, would you vote for Republican John McCain, Democrat Barack Obama (ROTATE) or one of the other candidates?

The results were:

Republican John McCain 42%
Democrat Barack Obama 39%
One of the others 6%
Undecided 13%

605 registered voters statewide were surveyed in the August 2008 poll.
That poll had a 95% confidence level and an overall margin of error of
+/- 4.0% recognizing that smaller sample sizes increase the margin of
error.