A new insiderAdvantage poll in Florida finds that Gov. Charlie Crist's (R) statewide popularity has dipped below the halfway mark for the first time. His job approval is now 48% after months of having ratings in the 60- to 70-percent range.
Pollster Matt Towery said he "was somewhat taken aback" by the numbers.
Said Towery: "It has been conventional wisdom based on prior polling that Gov. Crist was somehow immune to the more tepid approval ratings we have seen for other incumbents in large states facing significant challenges."
Meanwhile, the St. Petersburg Times is hearing interesting "buzz" about an unreleased poll that may show Crist's lead shrinking in the Republican Florida U.S. Senate race.