TWO WEEKS FROM THE SPECIAL SENATE ELECTION IN NEW JERSEY, Republican candidate Steve Lonegan is outperforming expectations. The polls are closing up and Cory Booker is acting worried, switching from ignoring Lonegan to attacking him.

I saw Lonegan speak in New York last summer and was impressed.

UPDATE: Chuck Todd on why Booker’s lead has slipped: Insiders say Booker is “sloppy” and “unfocused.” If some money starts coming in to Lonegan — previously seen as a no-hoper given New Jersey’s blueness — it could be a real race.