"With respect to [Mayor] Giuliani sitting in the front row, I'm sorry I don't support a domed arena for the West Side," Clinton explains. She says she does not support using public money to build it. Giuliani smiled and nodded his apparent appreciation of her acknowledgement of his role in bringing this proposal to the fore.

Lazio, conversely, says that he supports the plan, noting he feels bringing the Jets and/or Giants back to New York is important. He says it is not "just a plan for a stadium," suggesting that a stadium could serve as a focal point. He does say organizers would need to "get private money in there too."

Neither candidate addressed the debate concerning the Yankees. Giuliani has not denied his continued hopes to see the Yankees move from the Bronx to Manhattan. Many Yankees fans oppose a move, with the espousal of some vocal City Council members and Governor Pataki, although he supports the stadium for Olympic and football purposes.

While she opposes using tax dollars, she does not say she wouldn't support a privately funded venture at the site. Neither candidate directly addressed the opposition of the residents of the West Side to any stadium development.

Clinton also says she supports the gas tax, from which she says New York gets back more than it invests. She emphasizes her support for the programs to support New York's infrastructure by Senator Moynihan, citing Penn Station's planned renovations as an example. Lazio says he will continue to vote against the gas tax, but would not address infrastructure issues.

Instant Insights /

Senate Candidates' War of Words Touches on the West Side Domed Stadium Proposal

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