The Orlando Sentinel is reporting a poll by Mason-Dixon that shows a 48%-46% lead by Barack Obama. For Obama supporters in the central Florida area -- or who have lived there (like myself) or are simply familiar with the area -- the juiciest numbers lie here:
Victory in Florida could be decided in the Tampa Bay area, where the Democrat leads 48 to 44 percent, Coker said.
"Tampa Bay has always been the most pivotal area," Coker said. "It almost always mirrors the state vote." Results in other regions show one or the other candidate holding clearer leads.
Want more? Here's O-town:
In the Orlando area, where voters often are as divided as in the Tampa Bay area, Obama leads 51 to 43 percent. Also among poll results, 69 percent of voters said the economy is their top concern.
Couple these solid numbers with, as the Sentinel reports, a "commanding" lead in South Florida, and things are looking more than up in the Sunshine State. For me, this is all particularly heartening. As my former home state, it breaks my heart to see Florida hit so hard by the foreclosure crisis and other economic dark times. The fact that its residents are coming back around shows they are just as hungry for change as everyone. Here's to Florida! {{Cheers!}}