New numbers out of embattled Rep. Tim Mahoney's Florida district shows having multiple mistresses is not the way to win re-election. Mahoney, who is apparently even flirting with withdrawing at this late date, may simply not have a prayer.

The Tarrance Group poll for the National Republican Congressional Committee surveyed 300 likely voters 10/15-16 for a margin of error of +/- 5.8%. Mahoney, a first-term Democrat, and attorney Tom Rooney were tested.

General Election Matchup
Rooney.........55 (+24 from last, 10/9)
Mahoney........29 (-27)

Mahoney's favorable rating has plummeted to 28%, while 53% see him unfavorably after revelations he paid a former mistress $121,000 to avoid a lawsuit and was involved in another affair with a local county official. In all, nearly nine in ten voters have heard about the scandal.

"The numbers speak for themselves," said the normally loquacious NRCC flak Ken Spain.