NBC Poll: Presidential Race A Virtual Tie in Florida

President Obama and Mitt Romney are still statistically tied in Florida, according to a new NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll released Thursday.

Obama leads Romney 48 percent to 47 percent– after holding an identical 1-point lead on Oct. 3 at 47 percent to 46 percent. Among registered voters, Obama leads 49 percent to 45 percent.

Romney’s favorability score rose to 49 percent favorable, 44 percent unfavorable– up from a 46-43 net favorable last week. But Obama’s campaign is still viewed more favorably, with a 52-43 favorable rating in the Sunshine State. Meanwhile, 48 percent of Florida voters approve of Obama to 46 percent who disapprove.

Asked who would better handle the economy, 48 percent said Romney and 45 percent said Obama. The president remains ahead on the issue of foreign policy, 51 percent to 42 percent. On Medicare, 50 percent of likely voters in Florida choose Obama to better handle the program compared with 42 percent for Romney.

Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) still holds a sizable 13-point lead over Rep. Connie Mack (R-FL) at 52 percent to 39 percent. Last week, Nelson was up 11-points.

The party identification breakdown for the poll was 40 percent Democrat, 39 percent Republican and 20 percent independent among likely voters.

The NBC News, Marist College and Wall Street Journal poll was conducted Oct. 7-9 using live phone interviews with 988 likely Florida voters. It has a margin of error of 3.1 percentage points.