AG Andrew Cuomo went to great lengths this morning to avoid revealing when he might make his hotly-anticipated and much-speculated upon campaign announcement, but did suggest that he will adhere to the traditional political calendar – a hint he might not say anything official prior to the convention in late May.

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“I’m getting paid today by the people of this state; they give me a check and they expect me to work for them for that check they expect value for their money,” Cuomo told the Post’s Fred Dicker during an interview on Talk 1300 WGDJ-AM.

“This office is actually handling a number of sensitive issues…which I’m focusing on, and, as I said to you before, the politics and this office do not mix well. I’m focusing on my job. I’m doing my job. I understand the calendar. I get it. I read your column – not all the time, but occasionally. I get your point about the calendar.”

“And remember, the general election is in November. I know there’s a very active Republican primary. I read about that from time to time also, but there’s going to be a lot of time to discuss the salient issues of the state.”

Cuomo also said the work his office is current doing – including the probe into Senate Majority Leader Pedro Espada Jr. – is “very intense…probably the most intense period I have had in my three years.”

This seems to indicate that there will be no formal announcement by Cuomo prior to the Democratic Rural Conference straw poll in Niagara Falls next weekend. The AG is scheduled to attend the event, and even plans to host his traditional dessert reception there.

But, as per the DRC rules, if Cuomo doesn’t announce and interview prior to the straw poll, there will be no formal vote by participants on the governor’s race. (Not that there’s any secret as to who the favorite is, considering Cuomo is the only Democratic candidate expected to contend for the top slot).

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