Throughout most of 2006, Bob Menendez and Tom Kean, Jr. have moved within a narrow range showing a small lead for either man or a statistical tie.  A substantial number of Kean voters (20% or more) confuse the boy (Jr.) with the man (the ex-Governor and 9/11 Commission Co-Chairman).

Kean, Sr., had remained, at least on paper, the most formidable politician in New jersey long after he left office in 1989 IIRC.  Local magazines like New Jersey Monthly annually rate Kean, Sr. as the most powerful person in the state.  Kean, Jr., OTOH, had already lost a congressional primary and showed little merit of his own despite almost continual build-up.  Strangely, the strategy for Menendez seems to be to point out that the Republican candidate is somebody else, not the famous and well-liked Kean, Sr.  Secondly, if at all possible, he needs to tear down the memory of the most popular Jersey politician since at least Bob Meyner back in the early 60's.

The Disney Project suddenly gives life to efforts to make Kean, Sr., somebody other than the genial man who did tourism commercials during his terms as NJ Governor ("New Jersey and You, Perfect Together").  Suddenly he's an uber-partisan who wants to tear down Clinton because the Big Dog campaigned for Menendez.  Hardly Senatorial.  His work on the 9/11 Commission is getting torn to shreds.  His vaunted "moderate" stance has become a joke.  And yes, he's not running for Senator.  All in all, this is a good thing for Menendez and it can be turned into a great thing.