Who Will Carry Florida's Newbies?

Today the Los Angeles Times reported on a changed dynamic in Florida:

In the last four years, Republicans have added 462,000 new registered voters; Democrats have gained 458,000.Based on new registration figures, Republicans represent 37.8% of voters, and Democrats 41.4%.

But experts say a surge in registered independent voters signals a new wild card in Florida presidential politics.Since 2000, more than 532,000 independents have registered here, raising their percentage statewide from 15.5% to 18.3% of voters. And the campaigns for both Bush and Democrat John F. Kerry predict they'll attract the lion's share of those independent ballots come November.

At first blush, a 4,000 registration edge in a state Bush won by 500 votes last time around doesn't give the Times much room to call this a wild card. But the paper's not flashing it's left wing credentials here, because some analysits say Indepents break about 5-3 against the incumbent. On the other hand, Jeb Bush is very popular ... popular enough to have coattails.

Pundits: Ready, aim (or not), analyze!