The NYC real estate mogul and newspaper owner is reportedly considering entering the New York senate race and challenging Democrat, Kristen Gillibrand. And Ben Smith at Politico today seems quite anxious to position Zuckerman as a strong contender, should he decide to enter the race as a Republican-Independent:

The New York billionaire who owns one of the Democratic Party's loudest megaphones, the New York Daily News, backed Barack Obama in the 2008 campaign but has emerged as a bitter White House critic, and his entry into the race would put Republicans clearly within striking distance of retaking the Senate.

Smith never really details why he thinks the cantankerous billionaire, who's never run for public office, would instantaneously put the GOP within striking distance.

And in fact, just a few hours after Smith's piece went live, Politico posted this polling headline:

Marist: Gillibrand would trounce Zuckerman

The lede:

New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand would lead billionaire Mort Zuckerman by 30 points in a potential general election match-up, according to a Marist poll released Tuesday.

UPDATED: Not great timing for Politico today. Zuckerman announced he's not running.