Alan Grayson rode into Congress in 2008 with searing, vitriolic attacks on the Bush administration and Capitol Hill Republicans.

Grayson's anger is still there, but the votes appear to be going against him as he seeks re-election in Central Florida's closely fought 8th Congressional District.

A new Sunshine State News Poll shows Grayson trailing Republican challenger Daniel Webster by 7 points, 43-36. That's a 16-point drop from Grayson's 2008 total, when he garnered 52 percent of the vote to knock off Rep. Ric Keller.

The one constant between 2008 and 2010 is "change." Barack Obama and Grayson ran successfully on that theme in 2008. But "change" is on the Republicans' side this year, and Grayson's rhetorical fusillades are sputtering.

"I think Grayson lost the election this week. His 'draft dodger' and 'Taliban Dan' ads just opened the pursestrings for Webster," said Tom Tillison, an Orlando area tea party activist.

Grayson's aggressive campaign style enthralled Democrats and swayed independents in 2008, when he ran against a Republican incumbent who was viewed as reneging on a term-limits pledge.

Hammering away at an increasingly unpopular Iraq war and "profiteering" defense contractors, Grayson portrayed himself as a fiscal watchdog looking out for taxpayers' interests.

Upon election, Grayson co-authored an amendment with Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, calling for an investigation of the Federal Reserve Bank. The populist measure won the support of such rock-ribbed Florida Republicans as Reps. Bill Posey and Adam Putnam.

But Grayson also signed on to the Democratic leadership's big-spending agenda -- and veered far leftward, a la the quixotic Dennis Kucinich.

Grayson accused fellow moderate Democrats of suffering from "Stockholm Syndrome," held hostage under a GOP spell.

He questioned the administration's military policy in Afghanistan, asking, "Why is it that we have to occupy another country? This is an 18th century strategy being employed against a 14th century enemy."

He called on President Obama to fire White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, saying Gibbs "belongs on Fox (News)."

He even criticized the House health-care bill, which was authored by Democrats. When he complained about a health-care "holocaust," Grayson upset Jewish leaders -- and he is a Jew.

Amid a growing perception that Grayson doesn't play well with others -- including those from his own party -- the freshman congressman appears to be losing on style points, as well.

Increasingly, Grayson, a native New Yorker and a lawyer, has marginalized himself with smarmy, out-of-context TV ads that have been rated "false" by media outlets.

"The way he's spending his money has negated his (financial) advantage," said Andy Sere, spokesman for the Republican National Congressional Committee. "Ads are produced on a whim -- more to generate controversy and attention on Alan Grayson, rather than delivering a coherent message."

Some strategists suggest that Grayson is simply shoring up his base of support and bolstering his name recognition. But with a 51 percent negative rating in the Sunshine State News Poll, Grayson's name doesn't count for much among a majority of voters.

Democrats in Washington know how crucial Grayson's seat is in this election season, when control of the House hangs in the balance. If the congressman has occasionally wandered off the reservation, party bosses are forgiving because they can ill afford to let the district return to Republican hands.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has committed to buy about $300,000 in TV advertising in the Orlando market, amid speculation that President Obama will swing through CD 8 before or after an Oct. 12 campaign stop in Miami.