Now that AG Andrew Cuomo is dipping his toe into the roiling waters (via Fred Dicker) on select issues such as the still-late state budget, the Ravitch plan and lifting the charter school cap, his opponents are taking the opportunity to call on the yet-unannounced gubernatorial hopeful to make clear his positions on a host of other topics as well.

You can see why the AG has waited until the last possible moment to weigh in on various policy matters. Just by hinting at his opinions, he has opened himself up for a torrent of criticism.

Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy issued a statement shortly afternoon that called for Cuomo to “stop making announcements via leaks to the press,” adding that his potential opponent should “stop hiding in the shadows and state his positions clearly and publicly.”

“This has been going on for months,” said Levy. “Why all the subterfuge? If he has a position on an issue he should just let us know what it is rather than have anonymous sources leak cryptic statements to journalist.”

Less than two hours later, Levy’s GOP primary opponent Carl Paladino released a statement that accused Cuomo of being “missing in action” and “hiding” during the fight over furloughs.

“The public employees unions say the furlough is illegal and have gone to court to stop it,” Paladino said.

“Governor Paterson says it legal- where is the state’s highest law enforcement official? Why hasn’t the Attorney General issued a legal opinion?”

“If he can’t take the unions on as Attorney General over a one day furlough that would save tax-payers millions, how will he, if elected governor, cut the public employees union pension deals that are bankrupting the state.”

(Actually, there’s a good reason for this: The AG’s office is representing the governor in his legal battle with the unions over the furlough plan; a hearing has been set for May 26).

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