Poll shows Romney stronger than Gingrich against Obama in Florida

In the key swing state of Florida, Mitt Romney would be a stronger candidate than Newt Gingrich against President Obama in the general election, according to a new Suffolk University/7NEWS(WSVN-Miami) poll of Florida voters.

The former Massachusetts governor leads Mr. Obama among likely Florida voters 47 percent to 42 percent, which is just outside the 4 percent margin of error. Gingrich didn't fare nearly so well. Florida voters would choose Mr. Obama over the former House Speaker by 9 percentage points.

Gingrich's challenges are event greater with independent voters. Only 19 percent of Florida independents had a favorable view of the former House speaker, and independents would favor Mr. Obama over Gingrich 56 percent to 29 percent.

"Newt Gingrich is weak among Florida independents and likely Democratic voters compared to Romney," said David Paleologos, director of the Suffolk University Political Research Center in Boston. "If Florida is one of six key states that swings the national election, independents in Florida hold that key, and this poll suggests that Newt won't be able to secure Florida for his party."

Romney fared much better with independents, with 44 percent of Florida independents having a favorable view of him. One-fifth of voters in Florida are registered as independent.

Meanwhile a CNN/Time/ORC International Poll shows a tight race between Gingrich and Romney for Florida's Republican primary Tuesday. According to the poll, 36 percent of likely Republican primary voters say they would support Romney while 34 percent say they would support Gingrich.

Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum and Rep. Ron Paul are running a distant third and fourth, polling at 11 and 9 percent respectively.