Now that the field is set for the New York Senatorial Campaign, it is possible there will be less attention given to the candidates personalities, and more focus placed on the issues.

However, it is impossible to totally dismiss the personalities and traits of Hillary Clinton and Rick Lazio. I know both of them very well and believe that either would make a great New York Senator.

Rick Lazio, in spite of starting the campaign late and trailing in campaign funds, cannot be taken lightly. He has a very effervescent personality, a smile that is contagious and a determination that is not easily shaken. He is very smart and friendly.

Although Rick will be attached to Newt Gingrich and the contract with America during the campaign, he is not the ideologue that many Republicans in the class of 1994 were. He is much more open to the ideas and opinions of others, and works with both Democrats and Republicans to accomplish his agenda and goals.

Hillary Clinton, whom I have endorsed, is much more than just the wife of the President. She should be evaluated for her own gifts and certainly not be put down because she is a woman. America has come too far and New York is too progressive a state to continue to reject qualified women by enforcing a double standard in statewide elections. Hillary is not running merely because she is a woman, but because she is a very capable, competent and qualified woman.

Hillary Clinton       Rick Lazio

Senator John McCain recently stated that Hillary would bring a "star" quality to Congress that New York sorely needs with the defeat of Al D’Amato and pending retirement of Pat Moynihan. With the loss of their seniority, the ability of the junior senator to get respect will be essential.

Senator Charles Schumer has already made his mark and would make a strong team along with Hillary. What the two of them lack in seniority, they make up in sheer will, boundless energy and superlative people interactive skills.

Hillary Clinton is not in the tradition of many of the first ladies the nation has had in my lifetime. However, she does have a combination of many of the traits they possessed. She possess the sensitivity of Eleanor Roosevelt — which is obvious in her participation in the Children’s Defense Fund, the primary voice for children issues in America today.

When people have an opportunity to meet her personally, they are amazed at her gentleness. In this way, she is much more like Mamie Eisenhower and Roslyn Carter.

She is as determined and focused as Lady Bird Johnson, as charming as Jacquelyn Kennedy and as opinionated as Barbara Bush.

What makes Hillary different is that she has a low degree, a record as a legal scholar supported by her work on the Watergate investigation and a desire to carve out her own professional niche.

Some find it difficult to digest the fact that a former first lady would even consider running for public office. The question is, why not?

She is younger than any first lady since Mrs. Kennedy, and has participated more in government than any of her predecessors. Her election in some ways would break the glass ceiling for first ladies. She can become more than an adjunct to a retired president, serving as hostess at his library. What a terrible waste of talent for someone so capable and competent.

Since Hillary has spent so much time in New York during her listening tour, and now officially as the candidate, it has become clear that many of the issues that she espouses are good for New York:

• More health care coverage for all persons through a patients bill of rights and a guarantee of insurance for all children;

• Locks, license and registration of guns to help prevent much of the senseless killing taking place in America.

• Changes in education policy including increasing the number of charter schools available to parents in low performing districts.

• Targeted tax cuts modified to assume fiscal stability for social security and other valuable government progress.

Can Lazio win the Senatorial Campaign starting at such a late date?

Absolutely, if Hillary and her campaign handlers take him lightly.

Although I personally like him, I am of a mind to believe the New York Senate race is Hillary’s to lose, but if she focuses on the issues, she will win.