Eye on 2010

"We need sweeping change in New York and neither party can provide it," Lazio said in the statement. The release did not say anything about Lazio's gubernatorial candidacy but at bottom, it indicated the communication was paid for by Lazio 2010. Spokesman Barney Keller confirmed that Lazio filed the paperwork to form the committee earlier this month and that he "fully intends to run for governor."

Lazio is also now up with a Web site, http://lazio.com, which includes a message from the candidate, saying "It's time for a new approach and new ideas in Albany." It then lists a seven point plan for getting "New York moving forward again." The only entry in the "Latest News" section is the release issued Thursday.

Lazio lost to Hillary Rodham Clinton in New York's 2000 Senate race by 12 percentage points, but raised $39 million in the process, proving he can muster the resources to run a massive statewide campaign. He has been making rumblings about running for governor since last winter, but his prospective candidacy has been overshadowed in GOP circles by speculation over Giuliani's interest in the race, which was further stoked by yesterday's op-ed.

Giuliani told reporters Wednesday that he has not yet decided whether he will run and is not leaning one way or the other at the moment.

A Quinnipiac poll released Wednesday shows Giuliani leading Democratic Gov. David A. Paterson in a hypothetical match-up, but trailing Attorney General Andrew Cuomo should Cuomo replace Paterson as the Democratic nominee. Lazio was not polled.