Rough Go For A Clinton Foe

Bill Nelson isn't the only Democrat that GOP Congressman Bill McCollum is battling in the Florida Senate race. The erstwhile impeachment prosecutor appears to think there's a third man in the contest: the president of the United States.

"With the exception of Hillary's New York race, my defeat is Bill Clinton's highest political priority," the Orlando-area congressman said in an e-mail message to supporters. "As (Bill Nelson) jets around Air Force One with the president, he's adopting the 'Bill Clinton Strategy' of engaging in dirty tricks..."

McCollum - who was one of 13 Republican members of the House who acted as prosecutors during the Senate impeachment trial of Mr. Clinton - has yet to elaborate on what those dirty tricks might be.

Dan McLaughlin, Nelson's campaign spokesman, has called the McCollum e-mail "beyond ridiculous."

Moreover, according to some observers, McCollum, 56, is the candidate who has engaged in negative campaigning.

"I have never seen a more negative, nasty campaign than the one McCollum is engaging in right now," said Richard Scher, professor of political science at the University of Florida.

Some Floridians were turned off by one McCollum television ad, which began with the words "Bill Nelson is a failure." By most accounts, Nelson has performed well as state insurance commissioner, efficiently handling relief disbursements in the aftermath of some of the state's recent hurricanes.

"Even the editorial writers were asking ‘What is this?'" said Scher. "It's just sort of wacko. I'm not partisan, but I don’t know of another word to use."

In another ad, McCollum was forced to soften his language after he accused Nelson of raising insurance rates. Nelson had opposed the hike, which was instituted in the aftermath of hurricane Andrew, but rates were raised anyway. The ad raised a furor, and McCollum responded with the following: "It's not all your fault, but Bill, take responsibility."

Before McCollum's Senate primary was even decided, McCollum was using similarly harsh language on his GOP opponent.

"Tom Gallagher. He's slick. He's sly. And he tried to raise your taxes." McCollum said of his primary opponent, a well-regarded state politician who ultimately bowed out of the race under pressure from the state GOP.

"McCollum hasn't been able to give people a reason to vote for him. He's not running on his own record," said Dario Moreno, professor of political science at Florida International University.

Nelson, 58, has maintained a modest lead in opinion polls since the summer. A Mason-Dixon poll released last week showed him with a 44-37 percent edge over McCollum among registered voters.

Even so, according to Moreno, "I think this race is a lot closer that a lot of people think."

Though he said "I wouldn't bet" on McCollum, Moreno pointed out that a lot of GOP-leaning, Miami-aea Cubans' preferences do not show up in Florida polls, because the polls are conducted only in English. That favors McCollum.

Moreover, says Moreno: "Florida is becoming extremely difficult for Gore to carry. I don't think you can put Florida in the tossup category anymore. A big vote for Bush in the presidential race could pull McCollum through."

The two are vying for the seat being vacated by retiring GOP Sen. Connie Mack, himself the beneficiary of Bush coattails - the Elder Bush, that is - in 1988.

McCollum spokeswoman Shannon Gravitte told CBSNews.com that Florida voters got a look at the real Bill McCollum during the candidates' debate last week.

"The basic thrust of the race is a difference of philosophies between the candidates. Bill McCollum believes in better government. Bill Nelson believes in bigger government," Gravitte said.

For its part, the Nelson campaign says its focus on health care, education, Social Security and gun control – traditional Democratic issues – has been where the rubber hits the road.

McCollum, chairman of the House crime subcommittee, supported hot-button conservative issues during the 105th Congress. He backed a school prayer amendment and opposed so-called partial birth abortions and background checks at gun shows. He sponsored bankruptcy reform legislation – supported by the banking industry, which has donated heavily to his campaign – that would have made it tougher for borrowers to get debts discharged.

"I'm conservative. I'm right of center, but I'm not some way-over-the-top far-right guy," McCollum said in a recent interview.

Despite his conservative credentials, McCollum has moved toward the center this election season. He met with gay activists to show his support for a hate-crimes bill, and advocates background checks for gun purchasers.

Nelson, who by many accounts has been successful in sticking to the issues despite negative attacks, said during the debate it's McCollum's past – and not any dirty tricks – that have him in danger of losing come Election Day.

"I'm not going to let my opponent run and hide from his record," Nelson said.