Former Republican Sen. Alfonse D’Amato had lunch in Manhattan Thursday with Sen. Hillary Clinton and former New York City Mayor Ed Koch and came away with this warning for the GOP: Don’t underestimate Hillary.
"Nothing she said or did today has changed my opinion” that the Democratic nomination is hers for the taking, D’Amato told the New York Post.
"She made no pronouncements, but I certainly believe that’s the track she’s on.
"Republicans will make a great mistake if they underestimate her abilities and talent to motivate people. I think Republicans will make a great mistake if they think they can beat Hillary Clinton easily and take her for granted.”
D’Amato said he brought up the name of Sen. Barack Obama "as an interesting new phenomenon. She said he’s very bright and interesting. She didn’t seem worried about him, though.”
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D’Amato and Koch told the Post they were particularly impressed by the enthusiasm of other diners at the Four Seasons restaurant, who flocked to Clinton’s table to pay their respects.
Said Koch: "She walks into a place, she is the buzz – they come over like bees to honey.”