Clinton, Lazio Enter Fierce, Final Weeks

N E W   Y O R K, Sept. 5 -- As summer fades away for most New Yorkers, Hillary Rodham Clinton and Rick Lazio are returning to the trail for two months of pedal-to-the-metal campaigning, as both still search for the winning edge in a very tight race to represent this state in the Senate.

Mrs. Clinton, the Democratic candidate, says she is “gearing up” for the “final stretch” of a campaign that began more than a year ago when she kicked off her “listening tour” of New York in July 1999.

Lazio, the Republican nominee who only entered the race in May, will make a coast-to-coast fund-raising trip this week before returning to the trail at top speed.

“When he comes back, it will be full tilt,” says Lazio’s campaign manager, Bill Dal Col.

Despite the late start, Lazio quickly caught up to Mrs. Clinton in early-summer polls, fueled largely by her high negative ratings. He has remained even or just behind her ever since. A Quinnipiac University poll released Aug. 9 shows Mrs. Clinton leading, 46 percent to 43 percent, while earlier surveys have shown a dead heat.

But Lazio has been unable to budge ahead of Mrs. Clinton. After three months of fund-raising, attack ads, and photo ops on the part of both candidates, the polls have barely moved in either direction.

Debate Debut

One new element that could get those numbers moving will be the first televised debates. The candidates have agreed to three, with the first taking place September 13 in Buffalo. The next two, which will be aired on local New York City stations, have not been scheduled yet.

Some of Mrs. Clinton’s top aides strongly hope the debates will help the first lady break the race open — even though she has never formally debated anyone since her college days.

“I’ve never had to do it before,” she told reporters. “I’ve never run for office, as you know. My maiden voyage is on Sept. 13th.”

Lazio has been honing his own debate skills for several weeks, although campaign aides are reluctant to describe his preparations. The Lazio camp has tried to play down expectations for his performance and would be pleased with a standoff.