Sadly, that sort of arrogance has become standard operating procedure in the comptroller’s office. Mr. Liu is a discredited public official who can no longer carry out the vital duties of his office. He needs to leave.

Mr. Liu’s campaign fund-raising practices are the subject of a widening federal investigation. The feds moved in after The New York Times revealed that Mr. Liu’s campaign books read like a novel—not because they are easy to read, but because they contain elements of fiction. Individuals listed as contributors came forward to say that they never gave money to the campaign. The names of bundlers, that is, people who solicited bulk contributions, were not disclosed as required by law (after months of stalling, Mr. Liu revealed their names several weeks ago).

Ms. Hou, a 25-year-old with limited experience in the high-powered world of New York campaign fund-raising, was arrested on fraud and conspiracy charges, including an accusation that she illegally funneled money into Mr. Liu’s campaign through the use of phony donors. The question, of course, is whether Mr. Liu was aware of these irregularities. If so, Ms. Hou may be more a victim than a perpetrator in this scandal.

Mr. Liu pretends to be blissfully unaware of the growing outrage. Asked recently on WNYC radio about a chorus of calls for his resignation, he responded with a question of his own: “What calls for resignation?”

They are loud and they are clear, but Mr. Liu continues to pretend that he is a credible figure in New York politics and government. He has yet to renounce his prospective campaign for mayor in 2013.

How many more arrests will it take for Mr. Liu to realize that the game is up, and he has lost?

Kuo previously did press for Councilman Vincent Gentile, a Democrat in the conservative-leaning Bay Ridge section of Brooklyn (the same area that produced Democratic operatives George Fontas, Scott Gastel and Sam Cooper). He also worked for Councilman Oliver Koppell in the Riverdale section of the Bronx. (There are probably some notable operatives from there too, but I'll need some help on that one.)

Felder’s most recent hire before Kuo was an operative with experience in Queens, which happens to be home to three likely opponents: Council members Melinda Katz, David Weprin and John Liu. Kuo's hire, if we feel like parsing the significance, not only gives Felder access to someone with experience in yet another part of the city but may help him, around campaign season, to appeal to any Chinese-American media and voters that aren't locked down by possible candidate Liu. (Kuo told me in a laudibly precise email that he can speak enough Chinese to hold basic conversations but not enough to put out statements.)

Also, Kuo should help with the ultimate Frisbee vote.

Other Democratic officials eyeing a run for comptroller are Assemblyman James Brennan of Brooklyn, and possibly Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion (if he doesn't run for mayor), David Yassky, who is term-limited, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer (who could join a crowded field and run for an open citywide seat in 2009, or run against a first-term incumbent in 2013 when he's term-limited from his office).

Let me know if I'm missing anyone.