Fla. Democratic Convention Begins In Orlando

This report has an earlier poll with Sen. Joe Lieberman leading state Democrats with 21 percent. Former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean, the current front-runner nationally, drew 17 percent and Clark had 14 percent and Missouri Rep. Dick Gephardt polled 11 percent. Kerry is with the others in single digits.

Some of Dean's Florida backers, predicting a large turnout, contend his rivals wanted to scrap the straw poll because they feared his delegates would swamp the convention and boost his campaign. Past straw polls in Florida helped launch Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton into front-runner status.

"My personal opinion ... is that the forces that were demanding that there not be a straw poll were campaigns that were convinced that they would lose badly to Howard Dean," Miami attorney Joe Geller said.

Instead of a straw poll, the Democrats agreed to appear in forums that will let delegates pose questions to the candidates and quiz them on important issues.