Sen. Bob Menendez, who was appointed to his current job when John Corzine decided that he preferred running the state government, apparently believes that New Jersey voters are complete morons -- especially the Jews.

Connecticut U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman's tough re-election fight has caused his Democratic colleagues in the Senate to walk a fine line, and U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez sought to straddle that line at a forum for Jewish voters.

Ned Lamont, who is seeking to unseat Lieberman, pulled off an upset earlier this year in nabbing the Democratic nomination. But Lieberman chose to fight on, running as an independent. That put Senate Democrats in the awkward position of choosing between their party nominee or their colleague.

The issue became particularly prickly for Menendez at the Temple Beth Shalom in Livingston at a candidate's forum sponsored by United Jewish Communities of MetroWest NJ last night. Lieberman was the first Jewish politician to be on a national ticket when he was the Democratic vice presidential candidate in 2004.

A audience member asked Menendez why he was putting party loyalty ahead of a good candidate by backing Lamont. Menendez became indignant and he told the crowd of hundreds the premise of the question was dead wrong. He called Lieberman a "tremendous Senator," and said, "We wish him well. We hope he returns."

If you hear that out of a candidate's mouth, who do you think he's supporting. Remember, be as cynical as you can be.

But after the event, safely away from the hundreds of audience members, Menendez had a different response when a reporter asked if he was endorsing Lieberman. No, he said, he is "officially" supporting Lamont, the party nominee.

If I was one of the people at that candidate's forum, I think I'd want Bob Mendendez's head on a stick.