Lazio was a local politician unknown in upstate area's until he threw his hat in the ring after Giuliani stepped down. He's definitley a contender mainly because he's "not Hillary" If Giluiani had stayed in the race i don't even think it would have been a contest. I grew up in NY City in the early 70's. The city is cleaner and safer now than when I grew up and that says a lot. It's definitley a shame he had to drop out as he at least had a list of accomplishment. I still fail to see how being married to the president qualifies you to be a Senator. She would have had more respect from me had she started in lower level politics and worked her way up after she had a track record. Right now I see nothing she's accomplished except name recognition.