Nassau DA Rice impresses Dem leaders on state tour

Just miles from the Canadian border - over a table laden with Moroccan shish kebabs and hummus - Nassau District Attorney Kathleen Rice spent part of her 45th birthday in a Potsdam restaurant telling local Democratic leaders why she should be New York's next attorney general.

Rice says she will run for attorney general if Andrew Cuomo, who holds that post, makes an expected gubernatorial bid.

The Feb. 15 sit-down in Potsdam in St. Lawrence County was one of many as Rice crisscrossed upstate areas for six days. While many who met Rice said they would not commit to her candidacy just yet, everyone interviewed by Newsday agreed she brings an impressive set of credentials to the race.

"She seems to be a go-getter," said St. Lawrence County Democratic Committee Chairman Mark Bellardini.

Bellardini said Rice heard complaints about the loss of hundreds of jobs when a Massena GM plant closed.

During her many stops, which included Syracuse and Watertown, Rice discussed her budding campaign with organized labor, minority groups and women's groups.

'Unique kind of energy'

In Buffalo, Rep. Brian Higgins (D-Buffalo), a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, said, "I think I like the possibility of her candidacy because it brings a unique kind of energy."

At the Albany Gateway Diner, Rice made her case to Albany County Democratic Committee Chairman Daniel McCoy and county legislator Timothy Nichols, who said he's leaning toward supporting her.

Ron McDougall, president of the Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence Counties Central Trades and Labor Council, said Rice's toughness would be helpful in protecting "workers' rights or their savings accounts."

And Denise King, former chairwoman of the Democratic Rural Conference, said Rice brings "excellent fundraising ability" and campaign experience. King, of Elmira, is campaign committee chairwoman for the Eleanor Roosevelt Legacy Committee, which backs Democratic women candidates who support abortion rights. She endorsed Rice's re-election last fall.

Possible competition

Rice could face competition from Assemb. Richard Brodsky of Westchester, former federal prosecutor Sean Coffey, state Sen. Eric Schneiderman of Manhattan and former insurance commissioner Eric DiNallo.

Steuben County Democratic Committee chairman Shawn Hogan said his schedule kept him from meeting Rice but that they spoke by phone. Hogan, also mayor of Hornell, said Rice has "great credentials" but he also noted DiNallo's experience.

"[For] Kathleen, I think it's going to be more of an uphill pull," Hogan said.

After a Rochester meeting, where Rice discussed Medicaid fraud, Assemb. Joe Morelle from Irondequoit said he understands "why people in Nassau County think highly of her."

But Morelle, also the Monroe County Democratic Committee chairman, said he's friendly with DiNallo and Brodsky, and had hosted a "meet and greet" event for Schneiderman.

Asked about her upstate trip, Rice said, "It's about job loss, the need for sweeping ethics reform in government, and the overarching feeling that government is failing, from financial reform on Wall Street to skyrocketing local property taxes."