Al Sharpton, Harlem political boss, has endorsed Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), an upstate corporate lawyer, in her bid to be elected in 2010 to a full term in Hillary Clinton's Senate seat.

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Why is this important? Because Democrats are feverishly trying to keep the primary field clear for Gillibrand, and an early endorsement from Sharpton says he is on board with the strategy.

Who isn't on board? Manhattan Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, for one. She's a longtime friend of Hillary Clinton and an ambitious former city councilwoman who has indicated she might challenge Gillibrand for her friend's old seat. Maloney recently hired Josh Isay, a top-flight New York political guru, who was Caroline Kennedy's informal political adviser until her brief foray into politics went up in flames. As his client list suggests, Isay is the type of help who is hired only by real contenders. He has been a close advisor to Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Sen. Chuck Schumer, who, ironically, has made no secret that he believes the best primary field for Gillibrand in 2010 is an empty one.

Showing she's also no slouch, Gillibrand went to Harlem to meet with Sharpton the day after Gov. David Paterson named her as Clinton's replacement in the Senate.

Stay tuned to this one, Caps.


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