By MICHAEL GORMLEY, Associated Press Writer Michael Gormley, Associated Press Writer – 4 mins ago
NEW YORK – Conservative Party candidate Rick Lazio on Monday withdrew from the race for governor, a decision that helps the tea party candidate who beat Lazio in the Republican primary.

Lazio told The Associated Press that he wants to continue to influence the race and bring a workable job-creation program into a contest he says has devolved into name-calling between Republican Carl Paladino and Democrat Andrew Cuomo.

Polls show Paladino rising against the once seemingly unassailable Cuomo, but the latest survey showed Lazio taking 8 percent of voters, most of whom would likely vote for Paladino and cut into Cuomo's lead, said Marist College pollster Lee Miringoff.

Told of Lazio's decision, Paladino told the AP: "We're happy about that. I think Rick Lazio and I ran a primary that was above the garbage and the trash. We addressed issues."

The Cuomo campaign declined to comment.

The Conservative Party line has been crucial for Republicans who hope to attract Democratic and independent voters.

No Republican in New York has won statewide office since 1974 without Conservative Party support and a candidate running only on the Conservative line hasn't won statewide since 1970, when James Buckley won a U.S. Senate seat.

Lazio, a former congressman, picked up the Conservative Party ballot line in May and had until Tuesday to make a decision about whether to stay in the race. The party can select a substitute, and party Chairman Michael Long said the party will conduct a nominating convention Wednesday. He said it's "very likely" that Paladino would be the pick, but that others could be nominated.

The party's candidate for governor must get 50,000 votes to maintain its automatic ballot line for the next four years and the influence that provides to political discourse in New York.

Long has said his goal isn't simply to be on the winning side in elections, but to continue a conservative voice in New York politics.

Lazio said he'll continue to watch the election.

"I believe strongly that Andrew Cuomo cannot bring change, but I remain unconvinced that Carl Paladino will bring the improvement that New York needs," he told the AP.

Lazio said that the race has "defaulted to a mania over anger" and that Cuomo is not directly engaging his opponent.

"I understand the anger, the primal scream, the frustration," Lazio said. "I want to see (Paladino and Cuomo) pull together to hold candidates accountable and have a real meaningful set of ideas."

Asked if Paladino is going to listen to him, Lazio said, "I think Carl Paladino has to listen to the people. ... He needs to be realistic and credible and specific about how he's going to solve these grave problems."

Lazio said he had no regrets about running and "would do it all over again," but laughed and added: "If I had the choice, I would have done it better."

Lazio is out .. but there is no guarantee that  the NYS Conservative Party will back Paladino  -- Mike Long
is saying that they will make a decision on Wednesday .. which I believe is the absolute last day to change
candidates -- and Long said they may choose to endorse SOMEONE OTHER THAN PALADINO.

Quoted from DemocraticVoiceOfReason

Lazio is out .. but there is no guarantee that  the NYS Conservative Party will back Paladino  -- Mike Long
is saying that they will make a decision on Wednesday .. which I believe is the absolute last day to change
candidates -- and Long said they may choose to endorse SOMEONE OTHER THAN PALADINO.

That would discredit the con party even further than it already is if they choose yet ANOTHER contender. The con party will clearly NEVER get enough votes to keep their party viable! Cuomo and Paladino are clearly the heavy hitters in this race. Whether the con party endorses paladino or not....which of course they should.......they too, should just walk away with the dignity they still have.

Quoted from DemocraticVoiceOfReason

Lazio is out .. but there is no guarantee that  the NYS Conservative Party will back Paladino  -- Mike Long
is saying that they will make a decision on Wednesday .. which I believe is the absolute last day to change
candidates -- and Long said they may choose to endorse SOMEONE OTHER THAN PALADINO.

Nobody else, this close to the election, could garner the support Paladino has. IF they supported someone else, or nobody at all, it would be very clear they're handing the election to Coumo - and showing their true, non-conservative partisanship.

I don't dispute your analysis --- it is just that as late as 12:10 PM -- Mike Long was saying publicly that
he and the county chairs are looking at other candidates.    

I still haven't heard if Paladino solved the problem of having 2 Lt. Gubernatorial candidates --he has until
Wednesday to fix that -- actually   one of the 2 Lt Gubernatorial candidates would have to drop out TODAY
and then either the GOP or the  new party that Paladino formed would have until Wednesday to select the
remaining   Lt Governor candidate as their candidate.    Otherwise - the votes on the 2 ballot lines could
not be added together for Paladino.

Quoted from 147

Nobody else, this close to the election, could garner the support Paladino has. IF they supported someone else, or nobody at all, it would be very clear they're handing the election to Coumo - and showing their true, non-conservative partisanship.

ALL of the news media outlets are already buzzing about 'cuomo vs paladino'. Bringing in a new contender would be just nonsense!

The con party has already started to redeem itself by pulling lazio out. GOOD POLITICAL MOVE! Now, if the con party and Lazio just hold on until paladino's 4 years are up, (hoping he does a good job), the cons/lazio would be remembered as the ones that helped make it happen which would propel their candidate in 4 years!

It's all about political positioning now!

Quoted from bumblethru

ALL of the news media outlets are already buzzing about 'cuomo vs paladino'. Bringing in a new contender would be just nonsense!
The con party has already started to redeem itself by pulling lazio out. GOOD POLITICAL MOVE! Now, if the con party and Lazio just hold on until paladino's 4 years are up, (hoping he does a good job), the cons/lazio would be remembered as the ones that helped make it happen which would propel their candidate in 4 years!
It's all about political positioning now!

Seems to me -- Mike Long needs Paladino more than Paladino needs Mike Long  -- since right now Long
has NO ONE in the Governor's slot on his state-wide ticket.    
What is Long trying to prove by playing "hard to get" with Paladino now?
Unless  Long would be thinking --- what if we back Cuomo instead of Paladino ?????

If the con party locks hands with the liberals, the people will become outraged even more than they are now. Is Long and the con party that egotistical?

If they back paladino, it would be a win-win for both the taxpayers and the con party. Only in NYS do these political parties not see the political climate of the electorate beyond it's boarders.

Quoted from bumblethru

If the con party locks hands with the liberals, the people will become outraged even more than they are now. Is Long and the con party that egotistical?

If they back paladino, it would be a win-win for both the taxpayers and the con party. Only in NYS do these political parties not see the political climate of the electorate beyond it's boarders.

I don't disagree with your analysis.   But if Long is saying someone other than Paladino may get the
nomination on Wednesday ... who does that leave ... Howie Hawkins (Green Party candidate for Governor)
an Warren Redlich  (Libertarian Party candidate for Governor)   .... of  Mr. Cuomo   (Democratic, Independence, and Working Families parties candidate for Governor)   ???

working together works......

Tea Party Militia.......

Has Paladino resolved the problem of having 2  Lt. Gubernatorial candidates yet?