By a narrow 51 - 42 percent margin, with 7 percent undecided, Florida voters support lifting the
ban on oil drilling in the Gulf Coast 100 miles from the Florida shore, according to a Quinnipiac
University poll released today. Rising gas prices leave 39 percent of Florida voters more likely to
support this step, with 16 percent less likely and 43 percent who say rising prices don't affect
their decision.

62 percent give President George W. Bush "a great deal" or "some" of the blame;

54 percent blame Americans who drive vehicles that use a lot of gas.

Florida voters are almost evenly divided, 48 - 45 percent, on whether they support or
oppose construction of a new nuclear power plant in the state. But voters oppose 60 - 36 percent
building a nuclear plant in the city or town where they live.

"The rising price of energy has changed the attitudes of many Florida voters. Higher
pump prices have made 39 percent of them more likely to support offshore drilling in some
form, and construction of nuclear power plants in their state, but not their neighborhoods,"
said Peter Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

By a 49 - 23 percent margin, voters say the Democratic Party would do a better job
handling gasoline prices. Only 57 percent of Republicans think their party would do a better job.

U.S. Senate Race

In the U.S. Senate race, Democratic incumbent Bill Nelson leads U.S. Rep. Katherine
Harris, his likely Republican challenger, 58 - 25 percent. This compares to a 56 - 27 percent
Nelson lead in an April 20 Quinnipiac University poll.

Harris is the choice of 37 percent of Florida Republicans, followed by 13 percent for
William McBride, with no other candidate above 4 percent and 40 percent undecided.

"Barring a reversal of historic proportions, Sen. Nelson seems to have little worries
about keeping his job," Brown said.

"Although it is far too early to suggest that Congresswoman Harris faces problems
in the Republican primary, the fact that six in 10 Republicans aren't supporting her in a
primary against three unknowns is worth watching as the campaign develops."

From May 15 - 22, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,086 Florida registered voters
with a margin of error of +/- 3 percentage points. The survey includes 424 Republican
voters with a margin of error of +/- 4.8 percentage points.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public
opinion surveys in Florida, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and the nation
as a public service and for research. For additional data-www.quinnipiac.edu and quicklinks

3. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Bill Nelson is handling his job as
United States Senator?

TREND: Regardless of how you intend to vote, who do you think would win the
Senate election - Bill Nelson or Katherine Harris?

May 25 Apr 20 Aug 31
2006 2006 2005

Nelson 68 70 56
Harris 18 16 24
DK/NA 15 15 20

26. The federal government is considering a proposal to allow oil and natural
gas drilling in large sections of the Eastern Gulf of Mexico 100 miles from
the Florida coast that are currently off limits. - Do you support or oppose
this proposal?

27. How has the rising price of gasoline and other forms of energy affected your
views on offshore drilling? Has it made you more likely to support drilling
100 miles off the Florida coast, less likely, or hasn't it made a difference?

29. How has the rising price of gasoline and other forms of energy affected your
views on natural gas offshore drilling? Has it made you more likely to support
drilling for natural gas as close as 9 miles off the Florida coast, less likely,
or hasn't it made a difference?

32. How has the rising price of gasoline and other forms of energy affected your
views on nuclear power? Has it made you more likely to support construction of
a new nuclear power plant in Florida, less likely, or hasn't it made a difference?

33. (INTRO TO Q33-Q37 ROTATED)How much do you blame each of the following for
the recent increase in gasoline prices: a great deal, some, not much or not at
all. How much do you blame - oil producing countries for the recent increase
in gasoline prices: A great deal, some, not much, or not at all?

43. (If registered republican) If the 2006 Republican primary for United States
Senator were being held today and the candidates were Katherine Harris,
LeRoy Collins Jr., Peter Monroe and William McBride for whom would you vote?