Democrats hoped Nebraska's Senate race would be the story of Bob Kerrey's political revival. 

Instead, the emergence of Republican Deb Fischer, a previously little-known state senator, has given the GOP its clearest shot at taking a U.S. Senate seat away from Democrats. 

Less than two weeks until the election, Fischer enjoys a clear lead. 

Kerrey, a former governor and U.S. senator who later served as president of a university in New York was encouraged by national Democrats to make the race. He admits he has struggled with being labeled a carpetbagger in ads by outside spending groups, but he insists he may yet spring a surprise. 

Republicans need to net four seats to take control of the Senate if President Obama is re-elected, three if Mitt Romney wins.