EVEN IN NEW YORK – AT 8:58 A.M. ET:  It isn't only Barack Obama who's suffering in the polls.  Even in New York we're seeing a drop in Democratic candidates' numbers, although not nearly enough to produce a GOP upset.  But, hey, it's early yet.  From the New York Post:

ALBANY – Attorney General Andrew Cuomo’s huge lead over his Republican rivals for governor slipped in recent weeks as independent support for Democrats tumbled across the board, the latest Siena poll found.

The statewide survey shows Cuomo’s favorability rating fell eight points to 59 percent, its lowest level since December 2008. The Democratic standard bearer remains the most state’s most popular figure, but he lost significant support from independent voters in hypothetical matchups against GOP hopefuls Rick Lazio and Carl Paladino.

However, the poll shows those voters aren’t exactly leaping into the Republican column.

Cuomo leads Lazio 60-24 percent, down from 66-24 percent on the eve of the state party conventions last month. He ahead of Paladino 60-23 percent, compared to 65-22 percent in the earlier survey.

The state’s two Democratic U.S. senators, who each face election this year, suffered similar declines as independents walked away from New York’s ruling party.

Both Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand saw their commanding leads over a field of unknown Republicans shrink. Schumer’s favorability dropped 10 points to an all-time low of 54 percent.

COMMENT:  Opportunities present themselves, but opportunities must be seized.  One can only imagine what would be happening if there were an effective Republican Party in New York State.  But there isn't.  Republicans are content to pick up the leftovers that Democrats leave them.  Cuomo is beatable for governor, but not by a candidate who's polling at 24 percent. 

I don't think Schumer is beatable.  But Gillibrand, a nonentity appointed by outgoing Gov. David Paterson to fill Hillary Clinton's seat, and running to serve out Clinton's term, is clearly beatable.  But the GOP can't come up with a stellar candidate in a place that calls itself "the empire state."

In New York, the Republican Party belongs to the highest-ranking Republican official in the state.  There ain't no Republican too high right now.  And Rudy Giuliani looks like a man who has retired from electoral politics. 

June 15, 2010