No sooner had Wendy Long been declared the winner of Tuesday’s Republican US Senate primary than Democratic incumbent Kirsten Gillibrand put out an urgent message:
“The GOP has banked millions to defeat Kirsten,” the freshman senator’s spinmeisters breathlessly prevaricated.
Doesn’t Long wish it were so.
For even as Gillibrand’s campaign bank account is stuffed like a Christmas goose, Long’s is cavernously empty.
Still, she’s done pretty well thus far on her limited budget, hardly breaking a sweat while posting a win over a worthy opponent, Rep. Bob Turner.
So there’s a better-than-even chance that Long will give Gillibrand a much tougher race than Sen. Chuck Schumer’s hand-picked junior partner is bargaining for.
New Yorkers should hope so, anyway.
As became clear during the primary race, Wendy Long stands for something other than her own ambitions — making her something of a rarity in New York politics.
Granted, the odds against her remain, well, long. But with growing disenchantment with President Obama and the Democrats nationally, who knows what can happen in November?
Meanwhile, a word about Bob Turner, who came up short in Tuesday’s election.
Unfortunately, his unexpected stint in public office will come to at least a temporary end in December, when his congressional district essentially vanishes.
But his surprise win for the seat vacated by the disgraced Anthony Weiner not only confounded the experts but also opened the door to GOP inroads in New York.
For bringing about a revival, however small, of bipartisan government in the five boroughs — not to mention a breath of fresh air — he deserves thanks.
We hope to hear more from him.
But now the spotlight is on Wendy Long — an intelligent, forceful newcomer to New York politics. If GOP Chairman Ed Cox is up to the logistical challenge, she stands to elevate the debate.
Gillibrand’s handlers willing, of course.