Pollster.com

There isn't much validity to this poll. They know Pataki better than Gillibrand, but with Schumer on the Ballot, I doubt that people will split their votes by voting for Schumer and a Republican.

Why is Gillibrand so in the tank? It's not a as if Obama or Schumer are in such bad shape.

"Why is Gillibrand so in the tank?"

Because she is an upstate moderate instead of a downstate far-left liberal.

Jr. Senator that was appointed. Noone knows who she is.

I doubt the numbers on this poll are particularly credible. If you look at the body of polling more generally, the picture you get is that New Yorkers are ambivalent or even indifferent about Gillibrand - most don't have an opinion, and the rest are more or less evenly split. And in these sorts of polls, many of those who do express an opinion don't actually have an opinion but approve/disapprove purely based on party ID.

I would be surprised if three-quarters of the state really had an opinion on her, and there is no reason to believe based on either prior polling or the general political climate in her state that she would have a -26 rating.

Actually once again perceptions are more important than reality. You will find almost no difference between Gilbrand voting record since becoming Senator and Schumers.
But NYC people believe the seat should go to one of them and resent the seat being in the hands of an upstater. nonetheless they will vote for Gildbrand over any Republican when comes right down to it with Guilliani being the only possible exception.

Schumber vs. Giuliani would be an MVP race no doubt.

If Giuliani contests Gillibrand and wins, does he want to run again in 2012?

Gillibrand's numbers wont improve until David Paterson loses to Cuomo in the primary for Gov.

Big state races are expensive, I expect 2010 to be no different.