One thing you can say about GOP gubernatorial hopeful Carl Paladino’s campaign: It does not lack for creativity.

The latest: A Web video in which the late President Nixon “talks” to his son-in-law, state GOP Chairman Ed Cox, asking is he has “lost his mind” for backing Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy – “the man’s a goddamned Democrat” – for governor.

UPDATE1: In response to a number of reader inquiries, the answer is: Yes, that is Randy Credico’s Nixon impersonation. Here’s what Paladino spokesman Michael Caputo told me just now:

“I met him for the first time when Carl did the Fred Dicker show…Credico was next in line to go on the air. He came outside when Fred was on the air and we were chatting, and he did his Nixon voice. I had heard it before, but never in person.”

Credico did not get paid for this stint, according to Caputo, who added: “I think he just likes to do it.”

Caputo noted his longtime friend and mentor Roger Stone and Credico are “old buddies,” but Caputo said he had never before met the drug law reform advocate/comedian, who is currently running in a longshot primary challenge against Sen. Chuck Schumer.

UPDATE2: State GOP spokesman Alex Carey sent over a response, which appears after the jump, that references Paladino’s e-mail scandal.

“I haven’t even opened the video they forwarded, in case it contains any more racist or pornographic material, given the source,” Carey said.

“From what I read, however, Michael Caputo and Carl Paladino are obviously very angry people. They need to find some other outlet, and, if they think the behavior they’re exhibiting is at all impressive or will convince voters Carl possesses the sort of level-headed decision making capabilities New Yorkers are looking for, they’re dead wrong.”

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