Al's Future

Al D'Amato is now asking what next? It's the day after he lost his bid for a fourth term as U-S Senator from New York. He's going from one of the most influential men in Washington to a private citizen. But he says even a private citizen can make a difference. D'Amato says he plans to take a few days off to spend time with his family and then look at the various opportunities that have been presented. He says "Many people have been calling." Despite the bitter election campaign, the 61-year-old Republican didn't harbor any no hard feelings toward Democrat Charles Schumer. He says Schumer worked very hard and earned the victory. He offered no clues about his plans. But as the former chairman of the Senate Banking Committee and a well-connected player who's skilled in the ways of Washington, D'Amato will find himself in a position to earn many times the standard 136-thousand-700 dollar annual Senate salary. Many former Congressmen become lobbyists.