Vanderhoef Official As Faso's Running Mate, May Take Rockland County With Him To Faso's Side

Rockland County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef officially announced his intentions to run for Lieutenant Governor this afternoon. Capitol Confidential reports the choice may be an attempt to balance the ticket, pairing the socially moderate Vanderhoef with the conservative Faso.

Capitol Confidential also reports Vanderhoef's presence in the race may make the Rockland County GOP, which has already backed WIlliam Weld, re-think its position.

They'd better re-think quickly, the county GOP's convention is tonight and the state GOP convention is only days away.

Meanwhile, the Times Herald-Record is reporting today that Weld's nod from the Orange County GOP may also be a bit tenuous.

If Rockland and Orange counties were to flip to Faso, the delegate count - which is being carefully watched by UrbanElephants.com - could get very tight.

On another front, the Conservative Party of New York is holding its convention today. Faso is expected to get the nod for governor, while John Spencer is expected to be endorsed for the Senate and Jeanine Pirro for attorney general.

Other coming events of note:

• May 23, 7:30 p.m. Putnam County Democratic Convention
• May 24, 7:30 p.m. Northern Westchester Democratic Coalition Convention
• May 24, 8:00 p.m. Orange County Democratic Convention
• May 25, 7:30 p.m. Westchester County Democratic Convention

KARBEN COMMENTS - OR RATHER NO-COMMENTS

LoHud.com, the online presence of the Journal News spoke to former New York Assemblyman Ryan Karben, the Monsey Democrat who stepped down over allegations of improper advances toward a male intern. According to the story, Karben was smiling throughout the interview, said he's "very relaxed," and looking forward to opportunities ahead of him. The paper reports Karben would not answer any questions related to his resignation or the rumors that followed.

In an editorial in today's editions The Journal News called on Karben to publicly discuss his reasons for resigning and to address the allegations made against him.

Karben's district, which covers Orangetown and parts of Ramapo, will go unrepresented until January, when the winner of the November election takes office.

The Journal News reported today that Democrat Kenneth Zebrowski of New City will take over sponsorship of bills Karben had been working on and that Zebrowski and Republican state Senator Thomas Morahan of New City have met to review Karben-sponsored bills that are likely to be passed by both houses.

CLINTON PROPOSES PLAN TO CUT OIL IMPORTS BY HALF

Sen. Hillary Clinton proposed a plan to cut U.S. imports of oil by about half by 2025. The Associated Press reports the key elements of the plan are increased use of ethanol and a $50 billion energy research fund.

CLINTON ON LOSING END IN FOX PRESIDENTIAL POLL

Hillary Clinton comes out on the short end against both Rudy Giuliani and John McCain in a presidential preference poll released today by FOX News.

Giuliani is favored over Clinton 49% to 40%, while McCain comes out ahead of the New York senator 46% to 42%.

Both Giuliani and McCain are favored over Al Gore as well, Giuliani by 13 points and McCain by 12.

Women prefer Giuliani over Clinton by 4 points, but they prefer Clinton over McCain by four points.

Americans apparently have had enough of the Bush family for a while. When asked if Jeb Bush would make a good presidential candidate in '08, 22% said yes while 57% said no.

FEELING THE HEAT? LIEBERMAN HITS LAMONT ON FUNDING HIS OWN CAMPAIGN

Could it be that Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman is hearing footsteps?

Shortly after forcing a primary with a strong showing at the state's Democratic Party convention this weekend, multi-millionaire Ned Lamont said he would double to $1 million the amount of his own money he would spend on his campaign.

In today's Hartford Courant, Lieberman is quoted saying Lamont is rich enough to "try to buy" Connecticut's Senate seat.