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The political turmoil in Albany has highlighted the troubles facing Gov. David Paterson. His 17 percent approval rating is dramatically low, and some have linked the coup in the Senate to Paterson’s inability to maintain order among the leaders in both parties.

Paterson’s numbers have dropped steadily, and one of the most caustic and costly blunders has been the appointment of U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand. Paterson has been torn apart in the press over his treatment of contender Caroline Kennedy, and with Gillibrand, Paterson, Sen. Chuck Schumer and appointed Comptroller Tom DiNapoli all up for election in 2010, polls indicate that only Schumer may survive.

Democrats, reportedly as high up as President Barack Obama, have put pressure on potential Democratic challengers to Gillibrand, trying to save her the struggle of a primary given the likelihood that she will face an intense Republican challenge.

That has not slowed down one potential Democratic challenger – U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney, who represents Astoria and Manhattan’s East Side.

Maloney has hired political consultant Hank Sheinkopf to discuss a recent poll showing 27 percent of respondents saying Gillibrand has done her job well enough to warrant re-election, while 29 percent say that it is already time she be replaced.

“She is certainly considering it,” Sheinkopf said of Maloney’s potential challenge to Gillibrand. “She’s within striking distance. For a congresswoman from downstate she certainly does well. Sen. Gillibrand is not known by a significant portion of the population.”

Sheinkopf said the distance between Maloney and Gillibrand “is not significant,” though he did note that Schumer’s support for the incumbent definitely “has value.”

The poll of 600 likely Democratic primary voters showed Maloney leading Gillibrand 34 to 32 percent.