Gillibrand Is Really D'Mato Brand

From Wayne Barrett at the Village Voice
An excerpt:

Gillibrand and Paterson - The D'Amato Connection
The pudgy papa awaiting his hug and kiss when 42-year-old Kirsten Gillibrand walked toward the podium at her senatorial debut last week was Alphonse D'Amato, still the most powerful Republican in New York, a full decade after he lost his senate seat to the bookend on the other side of the podium, Senator Chuck "Brady Bill" Schumer.
Gillibrand barely acknowledged Democratic Assembly Speaker Shelly Silver, who she passed before greeting D'Amato for several minutes. Even Schumer, who has taken to calling D'Amato on his wedding anniversary in recent years, planted himself in front of the high-priced lobbyist for an extended chat before moving on.