Today we’re back to the Obama v. Bush storyline. With one twist. In this election cycle, the Democrat tarring his opponent as a “Bush Republican” is running behind in the polls—while the Republican bashing his opponent as an “Obama Democrat” enjoys a lead…

And here’s how a recent New York Times piece described Team Obama’s work in New Jersey: “Every TV ad that Mr. Corzine puts on the air is being screened by the president’s team. The governor’s aides are giving daily briefings to the White House. Mr. Obama’s pollsters have taken over for Mr. Corzine’s polling team, and White House operatives are on the ground for everything from internal strategy sessions to obscure pep rallies with Latino supporters.”

Each race is still too close to call. In the end, the experts may well be correct that the presidential factor will have little to do with the outcome of either contest. But with Mr. Obama’s health-care bill stalled, and his popularity declining, you can bet the last thing the administration wants is to wake up the day after the election to stories suggesting that the Obama magic is gone.