August 25, 2008 Newly completed Re publican polls show John McCain running "neck and neck" with Barack Obama in several Democrat-leaning legislative districts on Long Island, in Westchester and upstate, according to surprised GOP operatives. Republicans aren't at a point of predicting that McCain will win heavily Democratic New York, but they say his better-than-expected showing means a higher GOP vote in November, and thus extra help in the crucial battle for control of the state Senate. "McCain is doing much better in several areas than a lot of people expected, and that's obviously good for us," said one of the operatives. "There seems to be a reluctance on the part of a lot of voters to back Obama, and that's benefiting McCain and our legislative candidates as well."
September 15, 2008 BOOSTED by the selection of Sarah Palin as his running mate, Republican John McCain has experienced a surge of support among women in heavily Democratic New York state – where he has closed the gap with Barack Obama, new private polls show. The internal Republican and Democratic polls, details of which were provided to The Post, have stunned members of both parties – and produced deep worries among Democrats.
September 29, 2008 The ferocious battle for control of the state Senate has taken some unexpected turns, with one supposedly vulnerable incumbent Republican appearing surprisingly strong – and at least one "safe" Democrats unexpectedly weak, insider polls suggest. Political operatives say longtime Queens GOP Sen. Serphin Maltese, who was almost defeated two years ago, has gained surprising ground on Democratic City Councilman Joseph Addabbo Jr., while veteran Democratic Sen. William Stachowski of Buffalo has lost ground to Dennis Delano, a hero Buffalo police officer celebrated for efforts to exonerate two wrongly imprisoned individuals.
November 5, 2008 Senate Republicans, whose private polling anticipated last night's loss, have worked for months laying the groundwork for bringing some Democrats to their side.