GOP GOES NEGATIVE AGAINST NELSON...AND THE ELECTION IS STILL 16 MONTHS AWAY!

U.S. Senator Bill Nelson knew he was on the hot list for the Republicans to go after as he is seeking reelection next year. But did he know that the opposition would go negative nearly a year and a half before the election?

Nelson appeared recently with senatorial collegue Barack Obama (D - IL) in the historically African-American community of Eatonville. Shortly afterward the National Republican Senatorial Committee began posting items on it's Web site suggesting that Nelson might be easy on sexual predators:

"Nelson Campaigns With Obama -- Does He Agree With Obama's Record Of Lenience On Sexual Predators?"

"Does Nelson Agree With Obama's Refusal To Support Commonsense Measures To Keep Children Safe?"

The NRSC's intent was to "convict by association", as the pieces listed votes that Obama made as an Illinois state senator on issues like sexual offenders, pornography, and adult businesses near schools.

Nelson responded by saying that Florida voters "are looking for somebody that they perceive in the mainstream. That's where Florida is politically. And so naturally your political enemies paint you as someone that is not in the political mainstream."

Republicans have been trying to raise doubts early on about Senator Nelson's record as a moderate, attempting to lump him with some of the more liberal members of the Senate and questioning wheather he can attract support in North Florida, which has become a strong GOP area in recent elections.

Needless to say, the negative tone from the Republican side will only increase, especially if Katherine Harris officially announces her candidacy as she is expected to do next month. They know that they cannot attack Nelson on many issues head-to-head, so character assassination is the way they apparantly know best.