Looks like we may have gotten suckered.

Earlier today we blogged that State Senate candidate Rick Dollinger had gotten the long-delayed backing of Mayor Robert Duffy. We wrote this based on a campaign mailer featuring what sure looks like a Duffy endorsement. (The Dollinger mailer and a similar mailer for Robach are attached.) But Duffy told the Democrat & Chronicle after our blog was posted that he's staying neutral in the race. He said he posed for photos with both Dollinger and Republican incumbent Joe Robach and that he "didn't forbid" either candidate from using the images in their campaigns.

The New York State Democratic Senate Campaign Committee sent out the piece, which has photos of Duffy and Dollinger. It also quotes Duffy as saying "I have known Rick Dollinger for years - I have great respect for him and consider him a valued friend and colleague."

So it's the endorsement that's not an endorsement. And it seems like Duffy's playing both sides. So goes politics.

There was some other news in the race this week. A Siena College poll showed that Republican incumbent Joe Robach has increased his lead over Dollinger. The last time Siena surveyed the district, Robach led by 11 points. This time, he's up 13 points. Dollinger leads in Brighton and the city, but Robach has a commanding lead in Greece and Parma. Close to half of the district's Democrats have a favorable opinion of Robach.

But keep in mind, this election has been a testament to the fallibility of polls. Look at the New Hampshire Democratic primary for an example.  A chief reason: pollsters haven't yet adjusted to the simple fact that people are ditching land line phones and relying solely on cells, which aren't listed in phone books. Pollster John Zogby mentioned that on WROC Channel 8 yesterday. Younger voters especially have been left out of polls because of this trend.

And in case you are wondering, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has the support of 62 percent of the people polled in the district.