Deputy Senate Majority Leader Tom Libous, R-Binghamton, performed some verbal acrobatics this morning on Susan Arbetter’s Capitol Pressroom when asked if he would endorse Gov. Andrew Cuomo when the popular Democrat runs for re-election 2014.

“You never know what options are open,” Libous said. “I like the job he is doing.”

So far the only potential Republican candidate to announce his possible intentions of running against Cuomo in 2014 is Richard Stratton, a former editor of High Times Magazine. It does not seem likely that Libous or other Senate Republicans would back a Stratton candidacy.

“I like the relationship that we have with him,” Libous said. “And I think he’s doing a good job. Unless he does something really wrong — I like the job he’s doing for now.”

Cuomo and Senate Republicans have had a good working relationship, and the governor has gone as far as endorsing Sen. Stephen Saland, R-Poughkeepsie, one of the four Republicans to back his same-sex marriage last year.

GOP Senate candidates, including Libous, have used the governor’s image in their literature and TV ads. Cuomo has said he has no problem with appearing in their political ads as long as their claims are accurate.

Libous told Arbetter that stance speaks volumes.

“In many cases his silence about about some of things we’re doing says a lot,” Libous said.

Two years from now is several political lifetimes.

Cuomo continues to push a host of decidedly liberal causes for a potential December special session — including new gun control laws, stop and frisk reform and a public financing system of political campaigns — that could challenge the era of good feelings here in Albany.

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