Menendez leads with 9 points in Monmouth poll

Seems it's a consensus that Kean did nothing impressive in the debates. I don't know how reliable this poll is, but it certainly looks good.

The latest Monmouth University/Gannett New Jersey poll shows Menendez's lead at nine percentage points. Nearly half of the likely voters, 48 percent, said they would vote for Menendez, while 39 percent said they would vote for Kean.

Menendez's voters are more committed to him, as 37 percent of likely voters said they were sure they would vote for Menendez, up nine points since September. Fewer than 3 in 10 said they were sure they would vote for Kean, unchanged since September.

The Monmouth/Gannett poll also showed that two-thirds of the voters believe the campaign has been too negative. Although most blamed both Kean and Menendez for the tone, nearly 30 percent blamed Kean more, while 16 percent blamed Menendez.

About the debates

Michael P. Riccards, executive director of the Hall Institute, a public policy think tank in Trenton, said Kean has not done a good job of explaining his positions in television and radio appearances.

"Kean is not terribly articulate," Riccards said.

"I think he had a terrible time in that radio debate a few days ago. He's expressed his one view, which is on the ethics question."