The race was hardly ever close, the only reason for that 7 pt poll was that people didn't know Carter and they were giving him the benefit of the doubt. But once they knew his issues then they turned back to Ensign.
People don't exactly have the love for Jimmy Carter that people in NJ do for Tom Kean. Jack Ensign is also a great senator, a vet, and nice guy. Bob Menendez is a scumbug who has accomplished nothing but getting his donors exactly what they want.
There's the difference in these races.
What does NJ has to do with anything?
DWTL seems to believe that an argument for any case can be made by kissing Tom Kean's ass.