Republican Matt Doheny praised Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo's regional economic development councils and predicted — without mentioning her name — that Democratic U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand will win re-election in an editorial board meeting today with the Watertown Daily Times.

Mr. Doheny, who previously chided Republican Dede Scozzafava for joining the administration of "Andy Cuomo," said that bringing together the Garry Douglases of the world to work together was the right approach. The councils — which give out hundreds of millions in state aid to a variety of public and private projects — have won wide acclaim, especially here in the north country, which took in $100 million in awards.

When asked whether he'd work with Democrats, Mr. Doheny noted that as a Republican in New York, he wouldn't really have a choice.

"We're going to have to U.S. senators who are Democrats," Mr. Doheny said, "so you'd better be on good terms. ... equally with the governor. We'll see what happens nationally for (Mr. Cuomo)."

Most people agree with Mr. Doheny's prediction that next year, New York's two senators will be Democrats. Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer isn't up for re-election this year. And Mrs. Gillibrand, D-N.Y., is facing Republican Wendy Long, an underfunded opponent who is down big in the polls with less than three weeks to go.

Mrs. Gillibrand and Mrs. Long will debate tonight in Saratoga County. Mrs. Long will need a Romneyan performance tonight, and a Quayleian performance from Mrs. Gillibrand, to make the race even somewhat competitive or interesting.

As Mr. Doheny said later in his editorial board meeting, few people even know that there's a Senate race going on right now.

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