Everyone knows the presidential race in Florida is too close to call.
Ditto the U.S. Senate race.
New polls out last week show Republican Mel Martinez leading. Others show Democrat Betty Castor leading.
The Castor campaign touted a new Strategic Vision poll showing Castor with 48 percent and Martinez with 45 percent. The Martinez campaign touted a Quinnipiac University poll showing Martinez with 48 percent of likely voters and Castor with 47 percent.
Most polls have a margin of error of plus or minus three percentage points. In other words, a tossup. But the undecideds are higher than in the presidential race - 14 percent were undecided in the Quinnipiac poll, for example.
"The Senate race is still neck and neck, especially since a large number of voters still don't know enough about either candidate to form an opinion," said Clay F. Richards, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.
PANHANDLE ROVING: President Bush's top political adviser, Karl Rove, obviously cares deeply about what happens to Florida's 27 electoral votes. The connection to Florida is not just political; He owns a vacation house in Walton County (which escaped hurricane damage). His wife has been using one of the Bush-Cheney campaign's online campaign programs to mobilize Panhandle Bush supporters.
BANDS FOR BETTY? John Kerry wasn't the only Democrat to get an assist by the rock stars who fanned across Florida Friday for the Vote for Change tour benefitting the Democratic voter mobilization group America Coming Together. R.E.M. singer Michael Stipe made a point of urging concert goers in Orlando to support Democrat Betty Castor for Senate.
Bruce Springsteen, the top Orlando headliner, avoided overtly political comments until about 11:30 p.m. when he alluded to Florida as the "scene of the crime" and launched into a light-hearted gospel preacher riff.
"We're here tonight with a purpose. The E Street Band has risen to take you down to the river of change," he preached, calling for people to step forward who want to "release the bonds of Republicanism." One gentleman stepped forward and Springsteen called on him to repeat "Halliburton" three times.
"We tease our Republican friends," the New Jersey rocker finally said, "but we love them."
CHOOSE YOUR POLL: The number of presidential polls is dizzying. Last week was a banner week for Florida. Consider the various recent horse race numbers, most of which show the race with a slight edge for Bush or statistically tied: Mason-Dixon (Oct.4-5): Bush 48, Kerry 44, Nader 3; American Research Group (Oct. 2-5): Bush 47, Kerry 49; Quinnipiac (Oct. 1-5): Bush 51, Kerry 44; Strategic Vision (Oct. 4-6): Bush 49, Kerry 46; Hamilton Beattie (Oct. 1-4) Bush 47, Kerry 49.
FREE ADVICE: John Kerry says he heard plenty of tips from Florida politicians about debating President Bush. Sen. Bob Graham urged him to focus on homeland security. Sen. Bill Nelson told him to talk about science and technology. His Florida campaign chairman, U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek of Miami, "kept saying make sure you talk about math - especially teaching the secretary of state of the state of Florida how to count."
TAKE YOUR PICK: In the U.S. Senate race, police unions support . . . both candidates.
The International Union of Police Associations endorsed Democrat Betty Castor, and the Fraternal Order of Police endorsed Republican Mel Martinez.
IUPA officials said Castor will provide more money and resources to officers.
"Betty Castor will always support men and women on the front lines in the war against terrorism," said Dennis Slocumb, IUPA's international vice president and legislative liaison. "We strongly endorse Betty Castor because she will provide local law enforcement, firefighters, and other first reponders with the resources needed to do their jobs protecting Florida."
FOP officials said the same thing about Martinez.
"Mel Martinez knows that officers need the support and commitment of our leaders," said FOP Florida State Lodge president James Mann, a 23-year veteran of the Miami police. "He has shown that commitment at the local level."
Anita Kumar, Lucy Morgan and Adam C. Smith contributed to this week's column. Send tips to bousquet@sptimes.com or call 850 224-7263.
