U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton's visit to upstate New York last week seemed much more like a presidential campaign stop than any kind of official business being conducted by the state's junior representative in the Senate.

From the crowds chanting her name (something that never happened on past non-campaign visits to this region) to the major focus she continued to give to national issues, it was clear that Clinton is still angling for a high-profile role in a potential Obama administration.

That's a shame.

Aside from the typical support that any major Democrat or Republican would be expected to give to the party's presidential nominee, Clinton needs to completely refocus on her government job.

For one thing, despite what she may insist, Clinton has been vastly out of touch with her constituents during the past year. Prior to last week, her only visit upstate this year had been for Gov. David Paterson's surprise inauguration in Albany. Being away from the state you represent for so long creates a disconnect that can't be fixed with a one-day sweep of upstate rallies.

Clinton needs to be getting up here weekly and talking to the people who are trying to make a living in these current economic conditions.

She needs to see the areas where progress has been made and those where improvements have been slow to come.

And that leads us to our main reason Clinton needs to start being a full-time senator again. Her state needs all the help it can get.

Jobless rates are higher and so are costs. Albany continues to operate in a state of dysfunction.

And in many places, local residents have hit the breaking point.

New Yorkers were extremely patient while Clinton took her shot at the presidency. But that game is over and now they deserve to have both senators fighting for them.