Spitzer Keeps Double-Digit Lead Over 2006 Candidates

AP: Challengers to U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Eliot Spitzer are still trailing by large margins in their fledgling campaigns for 2006, according to a poll released Thursday. In the governor's race, Democratic candidate Spitzer, the two-term state attorney general, maintains double-digit leads over his announced and likely challengers. Spitzer led former Massachusetts Gov. William Weld, a Republican, 56 percent to 19 percent. Spitzer led former Independence Party gubernatorial candidate Thomas Golisano 52 percent to 28 percent and led Republican Secretary of State Randy Daniels, an appointee of Gov. George Pataki, 58 percent to 15 percent. The figures are consistent with poll results in May and July. [Newsday]