Feld vs Gillibrand??

Just two weeks ago I blogged on a Westchester hyperlocal that Liz Feld was one of the winners coming out of the Rob Astorino defeat of Andy Spano in Westchester:

http://bit.ly/3kHyaJ

But I thought that Feld would run a rematch against 25 year incumbant Suzi Oppenheimer -- and in the absence of an Obama election coat-tail -- and the abhorence of the NYS Senate by most New Yorkers -- that Feld stood an excellent chance of taking down Oppenheimer in 2010. But with her statement that she's considering a run for the US Senate against Kirstin Gillibrand, Feld is clearly feeling her oats -- and perhaps believes that the Astorino win in Westchester can carry her to DC.

Although Gillibrand' spolll numbers are low, no one should ever count her out of anything -- she's smart, savvy and resilient. There's not a huge difference between Feld and Gillibrand ideologically -- and while Republicans are likely to make inroads in House and Senate races in 2010 -- Gillbrand will be tough to beat -- particularly when you paint whatever Republican runs in New York with the broad brush of the national GOP -- which is appaently being lead by wackos like Palin, Bachmann, Limbaugh, Hannity, and Beck.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2009/11/taking-on-gillibrand.html#ixzz0XufliORW

As for the rumor that former Tennessee Congressman Harold Ford may mount a primary bid for Gillibrand's seat -- I find that absurd. Any primary opposition to Gillibrand will likely come from her left flank -- and Ford -- who just barely lost a US Senate race in Tennessee in 2006 -- is more in sync with her than not ideologically (right now Ford heads the centrist Democratic Leadership Council). Obama and Schumer will ensure that Ford doesn't make the run. But I think the speculation about it is not serious anyway.

Reports that Bill Thompson may consider a primary challenge to Gillibrand may actually have more legs -- and is a much more substantial threat to Gillibrand. Thompson came surprisingly close to defeating Mayor Bloomberg -- but that vote, frankly was less of a vote for Thompson than a vote against Bloomberg's abrogation of term limits. But if Thompson were to challenge Gillibrand in a primary -- he'd have strength where Gillibrand is weak -- especially in NYC. Yet Thompson may opt instead to primary Tom DiNapoli for State Comptroller - and Thompson would likely easily defeat DiNapoli, who was appointed to his job by the State Legislature and has a very weak political base.