Only two potential running mates help Mitt Romney move ahead of President Barack Obama in Florida, according to a new poll: Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida and Condoleezza Rice.
Public Policy Polling tested five potential running-mate pairings for Romney in the Sunshine State, and two of them moved him from a small disadvantage to a lead.
Rubio helps Romney come from behind to lead 49-47 percent. Rice, the former secretary of state, brings him to a 46-45 percent lead, fueled by a 7 to 13 point jump from independents. Rice has a 59 to 28 favorability rating, which is almost unheard of among politicians today, according to Public Policy Polling.
Other potential Romney running mates — former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, and Ohio Sen. Rob Portman — fail to move the needle significantly, the group said.
The poll also found that “Florida voters aren't terribly enamored with either Obama or Romney,” the group said. Voters disapprove of the job Obama is doing, 50-47 percent, but Romney is viewed favorably by 46 percent and unfavorably by 49 percent of Floridians.