Lazio Closes The Gap

The newcomer in the closely watched New York Senate race is already making big gains on Hillary Rodham Clinton.

A new poll by Zogby International shows the Senate contest between Clinton and Republican Congressman Rick Lazio in a statistical dead heat.

The poll finds Clinton favored by 46 percent to Lazio's 44 percent. Just last week, Zogby had Clinton ahead by 14 points.

While Clinton still leads in New York City, Lazio is pulling ahead with critical upstate voters, reports CBS News Correspondent Diana Olick.

Still, the upstart candidate is taking the news cautiously. "I think that there's a lot of work to be done yet," Lazio said. "I don't really trust this poll yet. I think we're going to have to go out to every corner of New York State and make sure that we earn it."

Lazio spent much of last week campaigning all over the state, hitting the Sunday talk shows and attacking Clinton. That's a switch from her former opponent, Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who rarely campaigned outside of New York City.

Apparently the strategy is working: Last week, according to the Zogby poll, 64 percent of New Yorkers didn't know who Lazio was. He has now cut that down to 41 percent.

Lazio's campaign staff was also careful not to get too excited about the numbers. One spokesman emphasized over and over that Lazio is the underdog and that he will be outspent by the first lady. Strategists say putting the candidate in that light may be the best way to attract supporters and donors.

Clinton's campaign had no comment.

Meanwhile, Mayor Giuliani has announced he is returning almost $3 million in campaign contributions, with one request - he wants donors to send their money to Lazio.

Federal election law requires the Giuliani campaign to return money earmarked for the general election within 60 days of leaving the race.

Guiliani says he'll campaign with Lazio next week, but will not attend the state GOP nominating convention in Buffalo.