In what might be considered the political understatement of the year, veteran GOP pollster Frank Luntz says Hillary is going to "win the Senate race overwhelmingly."
Luntz, who used to advise Rudy Giuliani in 2000 before the NYC Mayor dropped out of his race against Hillary, admits that "It'll be a landslide."
Putative GOP candidate John Spencer's camp isn't having any of that defeatist talk, though, with spokesman John McLaughlin, dismissing Luntz's remarks because "He doesn't know what he's talking about in New York," and that although the Senate race will be "a real tough fight," Spencer is confident that "We're going to beat her."
Hillary spokesman Howard Wolfson says that "We appreciate his kind remarks, but Sen. Clinton is going to keep her nose to the grindstone and not take anything for granted."
Luntz also says that Sen. Clinton's recent political moves, including her labeling the Bush administration as "one of the worst that has ever governed our country," are all aimed at boosting her chances for 2008. "She knows New York will be a cakewalk," so she is simply preparing for 2008.
Hillary is likely following the example of Texas Governor George W. Bush in 1998, who was already receiving incredible buzz as the likely GOP nominee. He crushed his sacrificial gubernatorial opponent by a 69%-31% margin and pretty much coasted his way to the nomination, although of course, the presidential election wasn't quite as easy.
The latest poll shows Hillary ahead of Spencer 63%-24%, so it appears she will win comfortably. However, re-election in New York will be easier than winning the White House, as Lutz notes, because "She's trying to be everything to everyone, and it never, never works."
