Hayworth touts poll showing him trailing McCain

J.D. Hayworth (R) is touting the results of a new Arizona Senate primary poll that shows him within 11 points of Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.).

"Sen. McCain finds his popularity in decline," Hayworth said in a statement. "He actually dropped in the poll from last month to today."

In a Rasmussen Reports survey out Tuesday, McCain had the support of 47 percent of respondents, while the former congressman got backing from 36 percent. A Rasmussen poll last month had McCain ahead by 12 points.

"Rasmussen compared Sen. McCain's standing today to that of Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania who lost this year after he led in just about all early polling. The Specter factor seems to be at play in this race," Hayworth said.

The Hayworth camp also noted that the McCain has spent "more than $3 million on misleading, negative attack ads."

"Despite a massive, negative, misleading campaign by Sen. McCain, voters still recognize that he has been there too long and does not represent our values," Hayworth said.

A spokesman for the Arizona senator declined to comment on campaign spending.

The telephone survey of 707 probable GOP primary voters in Arizona was conducted June 16. The results don't reflect the revelations about Hayworth that emerged this week.

A video surfaced showing him shilling for National Grants Conferences, a firm that helps customers tap into "hundreds of billions of dollars" in "free" government money.

It's not something that Arizona's fiscal conservatives will appreciate.

--Updated at 4:29 p.m.