One Local House Race Seen As "Competative,"- Though Not Too Competative

One Congressional race in the lower Hudson Valley has shown up on the Cook Political Report of competitive races, Republican Sue Kelly's 19'th Disrict seat.

The folks at Cook Political Report, in their February listing, put NY 19 on kind of a watch list, indicating they don't consider it a competitive seat yet but noting there are some signs it may be become in play.

Kelly is a six-term Republican who's district covers all of Putnam County and parts of Westchester, Rockland, Dutchess and Orange counties.

A handfull of candidates have kicked the tires in this race, including John Hall, the singer in a long-ago band called Orleans who had a monster hit in the 70s called "Still the One." But only one candidate besides Kelly has raised any real money. Katonah lawyer Judy Aydelott raised $303,000 as of her end-of-year report with the FEC. To run a decent congressional race these days you need about $500,000 to a $1 million, so Aydelott is certainly in the ballpark.

As of her year-end report Kelly had raised $898,000.

*******

Following up.

Yesterday we told you that Sen. Joe Lieberman seemed to be having little trouble in his bid for re-election, at least according to one recent poll. On Thursday, Connecticut businessman and Iraq-war opponent Ned Lamont posted a letter to his supporters saying he will indeed make a run at Lieberman from the left. Lamont told supporters he'd officially announce his candidacy on March 5.

********

Also yesterday we told you that the latest WNBC/Marist Poll had President Bush's approval rating at 40%. A SurveyUSA poll released this week broke down Bush's approval rating state by state. In New York, according to the poll, 33% of voters approve of Bush's overall performance, while 62% percent disapprove. Among independent voters, an important political grouping, 27% approve while 64% disapprove. Bush's approval rating is highest in Utah, at 58%, and lowest in Massachusetts, at 29%.