A source close to Cockfield said he will begin working on intergovernmental affairs under Marty Mack, focusing downstate. The eventual idea, the source said, is for Cockfield to transition to Paterson's campaign.

It's unclear who will replace Cockfield as press secretary. City Hall reported that interviews are currently being conducted for the position, both internally and externally. His departure comes several months after Paterson hired Peter Kauffmann as communications director amid a period of staff turnover earlier this year. The source said Cockfield stayed on since then to ensure a smooth transition.

Another aide in the press shop, Maggie McKeon, recently took a new job as director of communications for Representative Scott Murphy.

Cockfield is a former Newsday reporter who was first hired by Eliot Spitzer. He became press secretary after Christine Anderson was elevated to communications director.

Things we learned:

There may be "one reception or two" on Monday in honor of Paterson's swearing in, Anderson said.

Regarding the executive orders Spitzer signed, including some that regulate conduct by state employees and executive staff, Anderson said Paterson will decide in the coming days and weeks whether or not to continue them.

Overall, "he has expressed an utter desire to make sure that there is continuity," she said.

As for out-of-state travel, which would leave Joe Bruno the acting governor…don't hold your breath.

"I assure you that the lieutenant governor has so much work to do right now, he's not leaving the state."

This morning, Spitzer had breakfast with the Assembly Democrats - and Republicans - from Western New York; last night, Assembly Democrats from Brooklyn dined at the mansion; Wednesday morning, it was Assembly members from Queens having breakfast at the mansion.

"He kind of asked us what was on our minds," said Assemblywoman Joan Millman of Brooklyn. "Many of our colleagues spoke about housing, the lack of affordable housing. I spoke about transportation."

"We all sat at a very large dining table," she said, "I thought it was a very free wheeling conversation," she said.

Asked for comment, Spitzer spokeswoman Christine Anderson said, "Today's breakfast was bipartisan, to discuss issues of importance to Western New Yorkers."

She added, "The governor looks forward to the opportunity to sit with other lawmakers and discuss issues of importance for this session and for their districts."

The other two meetings at the mansion were just with Democrats, she said. (In all fairness, how many Republican Assembly members are there in the city anyway?)

The ad was shot yesterday by ubiquitous adman Jimmy Siegel and could air as soon as tonight, according to one person on Johnson's campaign.

A campaign spokesman had no additional information and a call to Siegel's office was not immediately returned.

-- Azi Paybarah

One state Democratic official told me that despite a report that he had already reject an overture, Serph Maltese was still "target number one" of the Spitzer administration's recruitment efforts, partly because of his close re-election this year -- meaning that his seat is eminently winnable for Democrats -- and because of his record of working with local Democrats around his district.

It's an intriguing notion, although Maltese has so far done nothing to indicate that he intends to make an early exit.

At a swearing ceremony last night at Christ the King High School, according to one attendee, Maltese thanked the roughly 250 guests for their help and jokingly noted that he really had needed each and every one of them to win this year. Maltese also said, meaningfully, that he loves being a state senator and wants to keep his seat for at least few more years.

Spitzer spokesperson Christine Anderson declined to comment.

-- Azi Paybarah

And when Spitzer finally did weigh in, it was nearly indistinguishable from what the mayor said.

From spokesperson Christine Anderson: "At first glance, 50 shots seems excessive, but he'll wait for the results of the investigation before passing judgment."

-- Azi Paybarah

Spitzer also said he'll propose "significant additional funding on a statewide basis," when presents his first budget in February.

But does this ruling give him an out?

When I asked if the governor-elect will voluntarily bring state school funding for city schools up to $4.7 to $5.6 billion range originally mandated by a lower court -- as he promised he would during the campaign -- spokesperson Christine Anderson declined to put a number on what Spitzer now plans to spend.

Certainly, the groups that brought the lawsuit won't let Spitzer get away with any back-sliding without putting up a fight: CFE lawsuit advocates just released a statement reminding anyone who will listen that he "has said that figure should be between $4 and $6 billion for New York City and up to $8.5 billion statewide to provide quality teachers, universal pre-kindergarten, smaller classes and strategies that will prepare our school children for the 21st century."

-- Azi Paybarah

Eliot Spitzer and David Paterson:

"The Court of Appeals has now determined the constitutionally-required amount of funding that must be provided to the New York City school district, and this decision will help us resolve the litigation that was commenced.

As I have repeatedly stated, however, we must provide more statewide funding than this constitutional minimum, so that all of New York's schoolchildren have the opportunity to thrive in the 21st century workplace.

The Executive Budget that I submit in February will propose significant additional funding on a statewide basis as part of a multi-year plan. This funding will be tied to necessary reforms and accountability provisions to ensure that this money is spent wisely.

I look forward to working with the Legislature and other interested parties to ensure that these funds are provided, so that we can finally address an issue that is so critical to our children and their future."

-- Azi Paybarah

Here's an interesting piece of speculation from one informed Democratic source:

Newsday quoted one lobbyist saying Schaffer is the likely replacement. A lobbyist I spoke with said that Schaffer's not interested in it. (I haven't heard yet either way from Schaffer himself.)

As for Darrison, she wasn't mentioned as a member of Spitzer's transition team today. Spitzer's spokeswoman Christine Anderson said they had no further announcements about personnel.

Any other logical candidates?

-- Azi Paybarah