While published reports are hinting that Andrew Cuomo will announce his plans to run for governor in March, The Governor is not taking the new laying down. Fred Dicker of the New York Post writes today –“After months of saying nothing about Andrew Cuomo’s plan to run for governor, Gov. Paterson’s campaign committee yesterday challenged the attorney general to come forward with ideas to solve some of the state’s major problems.

“Since it’s clear Mr. Cuomo is running for governor, it’s time for him to stop ducking the hard questions of how he would close a $7.4 billion deficit, balance the budget and pass ethical and fiscal reforms,” said Paterson campaign manager Richard Fife.
At the same time that Rick Lazio blustered by Scott Brown’s win in Massachusetts continues to raise money, Liz Benjamin of the Daily New Reports that Suffolk County Democrat Steve Levy is telling GOP leaders that he would consider run for Governor on the Republican line – “Democratic Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy has told GOP leaders he’s willing to switch parties and run for governor as a Republican - but only if they clear the field of all foes.

The deep-pocketed Dem doesn’t want to have to compete for the Republican nomination, according to a highly placed GOP source.”

But his delay in making a decision has made the deal hard to seal.”

To read the rest of Fred Dicker’s story click here.

To read the rest of Liz’s story click here.