Acting Senator Robert Menendez is lagging badly in the polls.  The most recent Rasmussen poll has him lagging Tom Kean Jr. 44% to 39%.  Menendez is being plagued by various ethical questions.  In fact, he is now the subject of a federal investigation into a scheme Menendez was running to allegedly obtain federal funding as a US Congressman that ultimately landed in his own pocket. Normally, New Jersians, particularly New Jersey Democrats have an extraordinarily high tolerance for corrupt politicians.  But they might have finally had their fill.

The New York Observer today is drawing an apt parallel to the current Senate race and the one in 2002 when Torricelli fell on his sword and withdrew for an electable (if not still breathing) Frank Lautenberg. It's already 55 days before the election but they don't need to be in any hurry to make the switcheroo.  After all, the NJ Supreme Court already essentially nullified the election law that prevents a candidate from being substituted within 51 days of an election. 

In this case, the more palatable and obvious choice would obviously be former acting Governor Dick "women should travel in herds to fend off predators" Codey.  Codey did the state party a great service by not running against John Corzine for the governorship he desired so badly and then in return got screwed by Corzine who nominated his boy and Hudson County party boss Menendez to fill his Senate seat.  Codey has good name recognition and is seen as ethical for a NJ pol (as much as that is worth).  He is also extremely anti-gun, anti self-defense as evidenced by his comments to the Second Amendment Sisters.