Mitt Romney now has a one-point lead in Florida, according to a new survey from Public Policy Polling (PPP). The poll released Monday found Romney leading President Barack Obama by a 49- to-48 percent margin among likely voters.

The poll’s findings are a shift from late September. when the same survey found Obama ahead of Romney– 50 percent to 46 percent.

The movement in Romney’s direction can be attributed to independents, who favored Obama 51 percent to 40 percent before the debate and now prefer Romney 51 percent to 43 percent.

Voters now rate Romney positively at 50 percent favorable and 47 unfavorable, a shift from the last PPP poll where the GOP nominee had a 44 favorable and 51 unfavorable rating.

Meanwhile, 48 percent of Florida voters have a favorable rating of Obama and 50 percent have an unfavorable rating.  PPP’s last poll had the president on positive ground with 51 percent of voters approving of him and 47 percent disapproving.

“Mitt Romney has the momentum after his strong debate performance last week, but Barack Obama’s still very much in it,” said PPP President Dean Debnam.

Florida voters thought Vice President Joe Biden won last week’s debate against Rep.  Paul Ryan (R-WI) by a 44 percent to 40 percent margin. But voters still have a more favorable opinion of Ryan (50/44 favorability) than they do of the Vice President (45/50).

The poll also has Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) leading Republican Connie Mack by a 45-to-37 percent margin.

The PPP survey was conducted from Oct. 12 to 14 and has a margin of error of +/- 3 points.

Tags | Barack Obama, Bill Nelson, Connie Mack, Dean Debnam, Joe Biden, Mitt Romney, Paul Ryan, PPP