Senate hopeful J.D. Hayworth may want to get out the forks because if you believe the latest poll numbers, the dude's done.
Poll numbers released today by Phoenix-based Behavior Research Center show that McCain now has a 45-point lead over the former conservative radio host turned "free government money" pitchman.
The poll shows that among likely Republican voters, McCain has 64 percent of the vote to Hayworth's 19 percent.
Tea-bagger Jim Deakins comes in a distant third with 5 percent.
The latest numbers seem a direct result of news that Hayworth, the self-proclaimed "consistent conservative," appeared in an infomercial for a company promising to get people "free government money."
In a poll taken just three weeks ago, McCain's lead was only 11 points, which prompted people like Scott Rasmussen to label "The Maverick" vulnerable.
Hayworth initially responded to criticism that he'd been pimping free government money while trying to appear as a fiscal conservative by saying, "I'm a broadcaster, and yeah, I appeared in this, and yes, it was a job. And that's that."
It seems that once J.D. realized "that's that" wasn't gonna get him off the hook with the uber-right-wingers, he apologized to supporters for the move saying, "As a former broadcaster, I would often make ads for clients, but I regret my association with this firm. In fact, I demanded that they immediately cease and desist all use of my name and image when it was brought to my attention that they were violating the conditions of our original agreement."
Hayworth went on to say, "I hope voters will look past a video presentation made three years ago and instead look at the issues confronting us in 2010."
Fat chance, pal.
