I just got off the phone with state Senator Ruben Diaz, Sr., who is reportedly the subject of a federal investigation into voter fraud, along with his son, Assemblyman Ruben Diaz, Jr.

"I don't know anything about it. They haven't contacted me yet. Nobody has called me. Nobody has contacted. So, I know as much as you do," he said when reached by cell phone just now.

He continued.

I asked him whether he thought the investigation was initially targeted at him or his son.

He went to say, "So, what's going on, I don't know. The FBI hasn't contacted me yet."

But Liz sees more personal influences at play:

Kruger, as you may recall, released a statement in support of Bruno after the majority leader revealed late last year that his outside business interests are the subject of an FBI probe. Kruger said questions about Bruno's integrity were "appalling and ironic," given his commitment to "openness and fairness." Kruger also has local ties to Bruno: Tom Connolly, vice chairman of the state Independence Party and chair of the Indy Party in Rensselaer County - Bruno's home base - is on Kruger's payroll. Connolly is a Bruno ally from way, way back.

Bonacic then avoided most of the reporters waiting for him at one of the Senate chambers by taking the long route from the Senate to the Assembly. Later, after Spitzer's State of the State, Bonacic tried slipping by the throng of reporters in the Assembly chamber's foyer who were waiting to chat with Mayor Bloomberg.

"I don't think its appropriate today," he said. "The conference supported Joe Bruno, and this is not a day uh, to be belittling the leaders that the conference had picked. That's for another day."

The lone dissenting vote is expected to come from John Bonacic of New Paltz, who told his colleagues the conference needs a new leader.

The inevitable retribution for his impertinence seems like a high price to pay for a gesture. But he said he had his reasons.

"I never knew that he had a consulting company," Bonacic told me "This was disturbing to me. It's not right what I saw happening. For me, with my own standards, its time for new leadership, I'm hoping."

When I asked how his letter got publicized, Bonancic said, "My office did not leak it. If other people did, than we have personal agendas going on. But its not my agenda. I came to Albany to serve the people, not a leader."

Pataki drew a contrast between Hevesi's admitted wrongdoing and the allegations currently swirling around the man standing behind him, Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno. "I've said time and again: I have confidence in Senator Bruno," the governor said. "I have confidence in the system... I expect come January 3, Senator Bruno will be the majority leader."

After the press conference was done, reporters descended on Bruno. He said of the hoopla about the FBI investigation into his business practices:

UPDATE: To be a bit more specific, the press conference had to do with Timothy's Law, which would require that insurance companies cover various serious mental illnesses, particularly in children. It's a shame that got overshadowed.

The Post's Fred Dicker says he was digging around Bruno's consulting firm, Capital Business Consultants.

Flashback: The Times had an investigative piece on Bruno's relationship to Abbruzzese, who is bidding for a contract to operate the state's horse racing tracks, on Saturday.

Bruno's business dealings "demand a close look by Cuomo," says the News' editorial page, more in anger than in sorrow.

Not coincidentally, John McCain released a list of 57 important New York supporters.

The Washington Post warns that conservatives and "activists in key primary states are skeptical" about a Rudy run.

Republican Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore is considering a run for president.

The Albany DA confirms he is negotiating a plea deal with Alan Hevesi.

Sheldon Silver is poised to approve the Atlantic Yards project, the Post reports.

Ellis Henican says it's time for Peter Kalikow and the MTA to take over the Long Island Railroad.

Last month, the Times was ordered to reveal Mr. Kristof's confidential sources that provided information for several columns written about the 2001 anthrax mailings. The Justice Department named Mr. Hatfill a "person of interest" in the anthrax investigation, but he was never charged.

The judge denied a request by the plaintiffs that the Times be fined $25,000 a day for non-compliance with the order to reveal sources.

"We're confident, based on the discovery we've taken, that we will present a strong case for Dr. Hatfill," said Mr. Kimmett.