Sen. Chuck Schumer (D) "is making the rounds of street fairs, parades and local events around the state -- usually dropping in without letting the media know in advance."

Want More On This Race?
Check out the Hotline Dashboard for a comprehensive rundown of this race, including stories, polls, ads, FEC numbers, and more!

He "clearly has name recognition on his side." None of the "dozen people questioned" at an oyster festival in Oyster Bay "knew the name" of ex-GOP consultant Jay Townsend (R).

Schumer: "I love to press the flesh. I love to meet people. And you know what? People say hello. They are very nice. But, one out of 15 comes up to you with a thought or an idea. That's how you learn, unfiltered by anything else."

Townsend "is touring the state in a Toyota Sienna minivan loaned to him by a friend and driven by one of his two press secretaries." Schumer, on debating Townsend: "I'm doing one debate and that's what we'll do thus far and we'll see what else happens" (Tumulty, Elmira Star-Gazette, 10/20).

Here He Goes Again

Schumer launched his latest TV ad 10/18, produced by Shorr Johnson Magnus, featuring an upstate businessman (Hotline reporting, 10/21).

Full script, "Other People's Trash":

TAYLOR: "We take other people's waste and we turn it into energy. And almost 500 new jobs for the Hudson Valley. But it wouldn't be possible without Chuck Schumer. He believed in us when others didn't and cut through government red tape to fight for the loan guarantees that make Taylor Biomass possible. Chuck Schumer knows green jobs are the future and there's no better place for those jobs than right here in New York." VARIOUS SPEAKERS: "Chuck Schumer. The one New Yorkers count on. To fight for the middle class." SCHUMER: "I'm Chuck Schumer and I approve this message" (Youtube, 10/18).