Response by Rick Thigpen

Senator Menendez wins if the voters cast their votes with national issues on their minds. Clearly, Tom Kean, Jr. will someday be an attractive candidate in New Jersey, when he's not shilling for an unpopular President who is pursuing policies widely viewed as bad for our state and for our country.  This year his candidacy is haunted by the undeniable reality that a vote for Kean for Senate is really supporting President Bush and more of the same at the national level.  This unpleasant unchangeable fact is Tom, Jr.'s political cross to bear this November.

The challenge for Senator Menendez will be to remind the voters of exactly what is at stake when they cast their votes this November for the United States Senate.  If the voters go to the polls focused on electing a Senator who will reflect their views and concerns on the important national issues that our country is facing, then Menendez wins. 

see also:
Survey Analysis
Republican Analysis
Tabular Results
Survey Details

Comment by Fairleigh Dickinson University's PublicMind Academic Associate, Rick Thigpen (J.D., Columbia University Law School). Rick is a former Executive Director of the New Jersey Democratic Party, now a principal in 1868 Public Affairs. He is also a campaign coordinator for the Essex County Democratic Party. Rick Thigpen, Esq. can be reached at [redacted].