Best guess for the moment is that the Times story here  has the effect of helping Harold Ford Jr. by placing him in the scrum for the big donors -- an arena widely supposed to be Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand's strong suit. In the piece, Michael Barbaro writes that nowhere is the intensity of the brewing primary fight seen more than in "Manhattan's sprawling penthouses and board rooms," where wealthy donors are being "stroked, wooed and pressured to choose sides." Photos include Marc Lasry and Andrew Tisch for Gillibrand and ex-chief-Obama-auto-man (and Michael Bloomberg ally) Steve Rattner and Orin Kramer for Ford.

Chump change you can believe in?

Wallet Watch: Steps LI families can take to cut college costs ... The Ugly Dumpling" opens 1st LI location ... Near record warmth on the way Credit: Newsday

Preview of tonight's gubernatorial debate ... Village eases path for housing near casino ... Working Moms: Postpartum support ... Wallet Watch: Steps families can take to cut college costs

Subscribe

Unlimited Digital AccessOnly 25¢for 6 months

SUBSCRIBESALE ENDS SOON | CANCEL ANYTIME