NRSC: Independent ‘just like’ Dem in SD

South Dakota Senate candidates Larry Pressler (I) and Rick Weiland (D) hold essentially the same positions on key issues, according to a new ad from the Senate Republicans’ campaign arm.

{mosads}The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) uses a 30-second spot released Monday to say that the two are “just like” each other by supporting ObamaCare, strict new gun laws and policies that would lead to higher energy costs.

The ad, which portrays the candidates as balloons who fall “flat” in terms of representing South Dakota, comes a week after a poll found the independent hopeful within striking distance of Republican Senate candidate Mike Rounds.

That poll of likely voters, conducted Oct. 1-5 by Survey USA, found Rounds drawing 35 percent support compared to 32 percent for Pressler and 28 percent for Weiland.

Another survey released Monday from Republican firm Harper Polling and conducted Oct. 9-11 shows Round leading Weiland 37 to 33 percent, with Pressler drawing 23 percent.

Both of those surveys had a 4-percent margin of error.

Pressler, a former Republican senator, endorsed President Obama during both of his presidential campaigns and recently said he would be a “friend” of Obama in the Senate, but considers himself moderate.