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Rasmussen: Mack 46, Nelson 37; Rove group ad buy looms

Posted Jul 11, 2012 by William March

Updated Jul 11, 2012 at 04:23 PM

In an outcome that differs sharply from other recent polls, a new Rasmussen Reports poll shows Rep. Connie Mack IV with a significant lead over Sen. Bill Nelson.

In the poll, Mack led 46-37 percent. The poll, using automated-dial or “robopoll” methodology, included 500 likely voters interviewed July 9, for an error margin of 4.5 percentage points.

At the same time, Karl Rove’s American Crossroads independent political committee announced it will spend $6.5 million in Florida attacking Nelson in a statewide ad buy.

Crossroads spokesman Nate Hodson said there’s no specific plan yet as to what ad the organization will run, and wouldn’t give the dates of the ad buy.

It’s one of several large expenditures by independent political committees against Nelson.

The Rasmussen poll outcome exactly reverses what the same poll showed in April—then it was Nelson 46 percent, Mack 37 percent. At that time, Mack was embroiled in a bitter Republican primary fight.

The new poll also differs from polls done in May and June by Quinnipiac University, Public Policy Polling and NBC News/Marist, which showed Nelson with leads ranging from 1 point to 13 points.