A CRITICAL STATE – AT 10:50 P.M. ET:  A new poll shows President Obama lagging in the key state of Florida.  From CNN:

Washington (CNN) - Dogged by a 34 percent approval rating among independents in Florida, a new poll out Monday indicates President Barack Obama would have a tough time beating either Republicans Mitt Romney or Mike Huckabee in that crucial campaign state.

According to the new survey from Sachs/Mason Dixon, Obama trails both past and potential presidential 2012 candidates in head-to-head matchups in the Sunshine State, losing to Romney, the former Massachusetts governor, by a 48-43 percent margin and lagging behind Huckabee, the former Arkansas governor, by a 49-44 percent spread.

Among all voters, Obama's approval rating in the Sunshine State stands at 43 percent, with 56 percent saying they are unhappy with his performance as commander-in-chief. That's consistent with a Quinnipiac University survey released last week that placed Obama's approval rating at 44 percent in the Sunshine state. The Quinnipiac survey also indicates that just over half of Florida voters don't think the president deserves re-election.

The new Florida poll may save its worst findings for former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, who loses to the president by a sizable 51-39 margin. That's a worse showing than business mogul Donald Trump, who lags 8 points behind Obama with a 48-40 percent spread.

COMMENT:  What this poll tells us simply is that Obama is beatable.  And I like the fact that the survey names actual Republican opponents.  It is going to be a tough, even brutal campaign, with racial overtones.  The Republicans will need a candidate who can take Obama on, yet keep cool in the process. 

The Palin numbers represent a downward trend for the former Alaska governor.  I get the sense from her movements and statements that she doesn't intend to run, which would be a good thing.  I've always believed she made a terrible decision in resigning as governor.  As a sitting governor she has a certain status.  As a resigned governor who served only a few years she looks like an opportunist going out for the big cash kill.  She's a great fundraiser and motivator, but I think the public has passed her by.  The attention is shifting to Michele Bachmann.

April 12, 2011