Gillibrand has comfortable lead, Paterson trails Cuomo

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D) holds a comfortable lead over her potential Democratic rivals in a new Siena Research Institute poll. The survey shows her leading former Rep. Harold Ford Jr. (D) 42-16 among registered Democrats, with activist Jonathan Tasini (D) getting only 4 percent. In a hypothetical match-up with Republican Bruce Blakeman, Gillibrand leads 51-24 among the 805 registered voters surveyed, 25 percent were undecided. Against businessman Mort Zuckerman (R), Gillibrand's lead was narrowed to 20-points.
 
Meanwhile, Gov. David Paterson (D) is still in trouble, according to the poll. He trails his expected primary challenger, Attorney General Andrew Cuomo (D), by more than 40-points. Paterson launched his reelection effort with an official kickoff this weekend.