According to a new Tampa Bay Times/Bay News 9 poll conducted by Mason-Dixon Polling & Research, it seems that Cornelius Harvey McGillicuddy The Fourth is gaining on Sen. Bill Nelson.
What once seemed like an insurmountable lead has shrunk with Connie Mack now down by only three points, 47 percent to 44 percent, to Nelson.
The poll, which surveyed 625 registered Florida voters in the bellwether I-4 corridor over the phone, was conducted Oct. 22-24 for the Tampa Bay Times.
And while it seems Mack's resurgence is connected to Mitt Romney's popularity in Florida, , Brad Coker' a spokesman for the polling company, says it still might not be enough for a victory.
"At the end of the day," Coker said. "If Nelson hangs on, I think it's going to be more about Mack losing it than Nelson winning,"
The poll shows that Nelson is leading among independent voters 48 to 40, with 9 percent undecided.
Mack's strategy has been to latch on to Romney, and let that lead him where it may. During their debate a couple of weeks ago, Mack brought up Mitt many times, and continuously alluded to getting Obama out of office.
The ploy seems to be working, what with Florida leaning Romney in the polls.
But Nelson remains the favorite to win this race, mainly because he continues to keep his focus on Florida, with 47 percent surveyed saying they trust The Astronaut to look out for Florida's interests versus the 40 percent who say Mack would look out for Florida's interest as soon as he stopped gazing lovingly at Romney and got up and voted a few times.
It also doesn't help Mack that he's a bit of a douche.
Mack's reputation as a jerk has dogged him throughout the campaign, thanks to some road rage incidents, an arrest at a Jacksonville bar, and a fist fight he started with a professional baseball player. And by "fist fight with a professional baseball player," we mean, Mack once punched former Atlanta Braves outfielder Ron Gant in the balls in a fit of anger.
These incidents happened back in Mack's younger days, but it's not helping his image as a smug entitled dick.
Even with some gains in the polls, it might be too little to late for Mack.
Someone on his campaign team better mind their balls.
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