All candidates on their own

Forget those party-solidarity speeches at conventions held weeks ago. Now, the statewide candidates fend for themselves.

Rick Lazio's presumed Republican-Conservative ticket-mate for comptroller, Harry Wilson, has said he thinks Andrew Cuomo, the Democratic candidate for governor, "has got the right agenda on fiscal issues."

This remark on NY1 News last week reminded some observers that Democrat Cuomo and Republican Wilson will appear on the same Independence Party ticket in November.

Aides to Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, who's had strained relations with Cuomo, cast aspersions last month on the Indies' selection process. The Nassau Democrat's allies suggest Wilson's endorsement was linked to his hiring of Anthony Manetta - a Bay Shore consultant and political ally of Suffolk Indie chairman Frank MacKay. McKay insisted Wilson prevailed on the merits.

This season's unique blend of endorsements, suspicions, spins, and announced investigations can get dizzying. In one instance, Cuomo put off a Working Families Party endorsement pending a federal probe involving the party. DiNapoli, however, accepted that line.

And last week, Staten Island District Attorney Dan Donovan, the Republican-Conservative candidate for attorney general, said he won't pursue an Independence endorsement. Donovan said his office received "several allegations of possible misconduct" against MacKay. This followed published reports that a company owned by McKay's wife got a $10,000 loan from City Council candidate John Tabacco, who soon got the Indies' endorsement. No charges have been filed.

OPTS FOR COX: Assemb. Michael Fitzpatrick (R-Smithtown) is endorsing Christopher Cox in the GOP contest to challenge Rep. Tim Bishop (D-Southampton).

GU-LOTTA CASH: Ex-Republican Nassau Executive Tom Gulotta's still-active political committee contributed $10,000 each this year to County Executive Edward Mangano, Cuomo and would-be attorney general, Nassau District Attorney Kathleen Rice.

PENSION EXTENSION: State lawmakers have sent Gov. David A. Paterson a bill that would extend to next June 30 the juicy annual 8.25 percent taxpayer-guaranteed return on savings funds known as 403(b) plans, held by some educational employees and retirees.