In the Capital, an interview hinting at the horsetrading Governor Cuomo is conducting for gay marriage votes behind closed doors.

Wouldn't it just be easier to let the people decide, instead of Albany and Governor Cuomo?

Gov. Quid Pro Cuomo, you might say:

Josh: So do you see [Gov. Cuomo] making a ... compromise on gay marriage? Do you think Andrew Cuomo has had to make any assurances on this or any other issue to the Republicans in exchange for passing it?

Liz: I don't think you can compromise on gay marriage. It's either passed or it isn't, and there are some people who simply can't be moved on it one way or the other, no matter what you say or offer them. That said, it is in the horse-trading mix with a whole lost of unrelated issues like SUNY tuition, the property tax cap and the rent laws, which, as you're aware, expired at midnight last night because the Senate Democrats refused to vote for a 48-hour extension. Cuomo might have a small problem there, because I've been told by several Senate Dems that they don't want to vote on marriage until they get rent. Without those 29 "yes" votes, marriage is nowhere. So the timing of the bill is a bit of a problem, because the Senate G.O.P. needs a tax cap and the tax cap is connected to rent and rent is now connected to marriage. See how that all makes complete sense? (Not).

On the "what is he promising" question ... The governor can only promise so much. If he, say crossed the aisle and endorsed someone like G.O.P. senator Jim Alesi in a year when his own party is fighting to try to regain control of the chamber, well, I think that would simply be beyond what is acceptable for the Democrats. However, he could do a nudge, nudge, wink, wink sort of a thing...