Newsday’s Monday cover pastes unflattering photos of New York’s own dysfunctional duo and highlights their slide in the polls.

Rudy did the best he could do on Russert. But I doubt that will be enough. He was as composed and subdued as he could be. But the Hillary laugh and Russert asking him point blank about a presidential mistress getting Secret Service protection say you’re in trouble, you’re not worthy of deference and aren’t you lucky the writers are on strike.

Meanwhile Hillary is haunted by Oprah. Earth to Hillary, having Yentl, er, Streisand campaign for you ain’t the same thing. Anericans are verklempt over Oprah. Bar. Not so much.

And Andy Young’s comments didn’t help. They made Young look like a Clinton toady, and reminded voters about the dynastic downside of Hillary.

Rudy’s problem is being Rudy and being a New Yorker. In affecting and living Caligula Lite, he reminds the GOP that he is neither a Huckabee or a Romney in so many ways. That is not a good thing.

As for Hillary, she reminds the Dems of what they don’t like about themselves. Not a good thing either.

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