As Bill Nelson fights for political life against Rick Scott, concerns grow among Democrats

Outspent on the air and out-muscled on the ground, Sen. Bill Nelson takes comfort in the bottom line: Polls show he and Gov. Rick Scott remain effectively tied."By the way," Nelson said while riding the Senate subway on a recent afternoon, "my name ID is coming up because he keeps repeating it so much." The 75-year-old, three-term Democrat laughed and said what matters is the long run.

Democrats in Washington and Florida aren't laughing. They are increasingly nervous as Scott and Republican allies have unleashed a flood of money into TV and online ads — roughly $20 million so far, more than Nelson's 2012 opponent spent on the entire campaign — and maintain a superior organization that spares no opportunity.

As the World Cup began Thursday, Scott released his latest ad targeted at Hispanics. "In Florida, we celebrate because we come from different parts," he says in Spanish. "And this great state is now our home. Here we are united in our love for this great sport."

Scott is employing the same scorched earth strategy he used to win office twice before: Blanket TV, define the opponent in starkly negative terms, campaign nonstop and never go off script. If things get tight, spend millions more.