Bitter rivalry in 20th district

Sweeney and Gillibrand squabble over poll numbers, income disclosure and lobbying

7 Sep 2006 // With Labor Day gone, the 20th Congressional District race is heating up with arguments over new poll numbers, personal income, loaned yachts and the war in Iraq.

While Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand tried to celebrate over new poll numbers that show her edging closer to incumbent U.S. Rep. John Sweeney, Sweeney's camp released his tax returns, demanded hers and accused her of war profiteering and hiding her worth.

Sweeney unleashed a new TV ad calling Gillibrand "a war profiteer backed by Washington groups bashing America." The ad comes days after Gillibrand released an ad attacking Sweeney's support of President Bush's strategy in Iraq.

Democrats, meanwhile, wanted to know what happened to photos of Sweeney aboard a yacht loaned to him by the National Marine Manufacturers Association for floating fundraisers. The photos disappeared from the lobbying group's Web site after news stories appeared.

A new poll by Global Strategy Group shows Sweeney leading Gillibrand by 8 points, while Siena College had him ahead last week by 19.

"We're very excited about the poll results. To be only 8 percent behind is phenomenal," Gillibrand said. "Voters are getting to know me, getting to know my message and what I stand for."

Sweeney spokeswoman Maureen Donovan said the poll was done by a firm that works for Democrats.

"It is a farce," she said. "We believe the Siena poll is the right one. It's independent."

The latest poll of 410 likely voters was conducted Aug. 29-31 with a 4.8 percent margin of error. It showed Sweeney leading 47 percent to 39 percent for Gillibrand. The Siena poll showed Sweeney with an edge of 53-34.

Jefrey Pollock, president of Global Strategy Group, said his survey is based on established polling methods. In May, he said, his poll showed her trailing 49-31.

The Sweeney campaign's TV ad criticizes Gillibrand for owning stock in defense contractor BAE Systems, saying she is profiting from the war while calling for troops to be withdrawn. It ties her to commercials criticizing Sweeney by MoveOn.org; Gillibrand's campaign has said they are independent.

In a variation on Move-On.org's theme of saying Sweeney was caught "red-handed," the ad says Gillibrand was caught "red-faced."

"The ad is another attempt by Congressman Sweeney to not talk about the issues and to not talk about the President's stay-the-course strategy in Iraq," she said.

Sweeney also has received $2,000 from BAE Systems' PAC.

The Sweeney campaign released his tax returns, which showed 2005 income for him and his wife, Gaia M. Ford, of $203,467.

The Sweeney campaign called for Gillibrand to produce her tax returns.

Gillibrand replied she would release her returns when Sweeney disclosed all his meetings with lobbyists.

Michael Lisuzzo, chairman of the Clifton Park Republican Committee, produced records filed with the U.S. House of Representatives that list Gillibrand's stock holdings. In her filing, Gillibrand disclosed that she made $663,000 in 2004-05 as an attorney but listed her husband's income as "not applicable."

Lisuzzo argued her husband's income is relevant since she once said on a radio program she is middle class.

Gillibrand replied she earned her income.

"I did very well as a lawyer, but I grew up middle class," she said.

Gillibrand said the controversy over Sweeney's use of a loaned yacht for fundraisers shows he is taking advantage of his post.

"This is another example of Congressman Sweeney living a luxury lifestyle with lobbyists," Gillibrand said.

Donovan fired back that Gillibrand is the daughter of a lobbyist, Douglas Rutnik.