Subject: D'Amato a factor in Gillibrand race?
From: "Eric Schwerin" <[email-masked]>
To: "Hunter Biden" <[email-masked]>, "Beau Biden" <[email-masked]>, "Devon Archer" <[email-masked]>
Date: Thu, 1 Apr 2010 17:04:07 -0400

D'Amato a factor in Gillibrand race? UPDATE

It's no secret that New York Republicans have been trying to woo  
former Gov. George Pataki into a showdown against the very vulnerable,  
but as-yet unchallenged Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand.

Unlike other potential candidates, Pataki would be virtually tied with  
Gilli if he entered the race today.

Over the past couple of weeks, several New York operatives have told  
me Pataki has told them he's happy in the private sector and in no  
mood to tackle the rigors of a statewide campaign.

But a top Democrat in the state adds an additional factor dissuading  
the Peekskill Republican from testing the waters:

Pataki's longtime ally, Al D'Amato, the former senator who still  
wields major power in the state's fractured GOP, has been actively  
working behind the scenes to make sure that no one, not even Pataki,  
challenges Gillibrand, whom he's known since was a baby.

Some Gotham Kremlinology: Gillibrand's dad Douglas Rutnik is a  
longtime Albany lobbyist, pal of D'Amato's (remember Al at  
Gillibrand's appointment announcement?), and onetime boyfriend of  
Pataki/D'Amato aide Zenia Mucha.

UPDATE: A reader correctly points out that D'Amato has endorsed  
Republican Bruce Blakeman against Gillibrand [Video of Al at  
Blakeman's endorsement].

Which, one could argue, only further proves the point he's quietly  
working for Kirsten.

Posted by Glenn Thrush 08:59 AM

Eric D. Schwerin
Rosemont Seneca Partners, LLC
1010 Wisconsin Ave., NW
Suite 705
Washington, DC 20007
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