Rep. Charlie Rangel is determined to be re-elected one last time and go out on his own terms, admitting it would be “awkward” to depart office with an ethics cloud over his head.

Rangel referred to Wall Street “terrorists” at his campaign kick-off event.

Gov. David Paterson nearly stole Rangel’s show by leaping onto the stage and declaring: “After I became governor, I gave up the blind act.”

“We’re not afraid; we have a big pair of balls,” said a Paterson administration source, vowing to keep upping the ante on the Legislature by putting spending cuts into budget extenders.

The DN praises Paterson for getting tough with the Legislature.

Sen. Martin Golden accused charter school foes who are pushing legislation to help a tony Bronx private school of “hypocrisy.”

Micah Lasher is parlaying his skills in magic and politicking into success as Mayor Bloomberg’s in-house lobbyist in Albany.

The state Independence Party snubbed Bloomberg and his preferred AG candidate, Staten Island DA Dan Donovan, and has made “no promises” about an endorsement down the road.

Across the country, Democratic House members are eschewing Town Halls to avoid being accosted by angry constituents.

Ex-Mayor Ed Koch referred to three Senate Democrats as “rats” and “slobs.”

Former NYC Councilman Anthony Como won’t run against Sen. Joe Addabbo, but is renewing his push for the city Board of Elections executive director job.

The Times calls on the Legislature to swiftly reconcile differences in the domestic workers rights bill and wants Paterson to sign it ASAP.

Nannies uniting!

The Post highlights a Gotham Gazette story on NYC Council members using unions to pay off their legal bills.

The Buffalo News is looking forward to policy debates between the gubernatorial candidates.

The TLC is behind on fine collection.

State GOP Chairman Ed Cox will look “prescient” if the conventional wisdom holds true and Rick Lazio loses to AG Andrew Cuomo, writes Dan Janison.

Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy estimates he spent about $500,000 trying to land the GOP line to run for governor.

Rep. Carolyn Maloney’s campaign spent the weekend training petition-carrying volunteers.

Whistles have replaced the infamous inflatable rat for one union.

Investors tied to one of the latest Aqueduct racino bidders are being investigated.

Rep. Scott Murphy’s GOP challenger, Chris Gibson, believes his Democratic target is vulnerable on the economy.

New York has joined 22 other states by passing an e-waste law.

The TU wants Kendra’s Law to be permanent.

SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher just bought an electric guitar.

Altamont businessman Ted Danz will challenge Democratic Rep. Paul Tonko.

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