Watch Rick Lose?

IN his first few days as a Senate candidate last May, Rep. Rick Lazio was both ubiquitous and refreshing. One day after formally announcing his candidacy, he appeared on all five Sunday talk shows, looking sharp and confident. New York Republicans were elated with the Long Island congressman’s initial burst of energy and drive. While the “battle of the titans” envisioned when Mayor Rudy Giuliani was the expected candidate would not occur, there seemed, nonetheless, to be a better than even chance that the phrase “Senator Rodham Clinton” would never have to be uttered.

Even before Lazio entered the race, there were glimmers of hope. For several weeks—as Giuliani wrestled with illness and a disintegrating marriage, and decided what he wished to do—various Republican politicians were poll-tested against Hillary. Not one poll had Hillary over 50 percent against any potential opponent.

RA

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Robert A. George

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IN his first few days as a Senate candidate last May, Rep. Rick Lazio was both ubiquitous and refreshing. One day after formally announcing his candidacy, he appeared on all five Sunday talk shows, looking sharp and confident. New York Republicans were elated with the Long Island congressman’s initial burst of energy and drive. While the “battle of the titans” envisioned when Mayor Rudy Giuliani was the expected candidate would not occur, there seemed, nonetheless, to be a better than even chance that the phrase “Senator Rodham Clinton” would never have to be uttered.

Even before Lazio entered the race, there were glimmers of hope. For several weeks—as Giuliani wrestled with illness and a disintegrating marriage, and decided what he wished to do—various Republican politicians were poll-tested against Hillary. Not one poll had Hillary over 50 percent against any potential opponent.