Let's cut to the chase. The Daily News endorses Democrat Andrew Cuomo for governor of New York.

There is no point in taking further stock of the candidates vying for the Republican nomination in next month's primary. Rick Lazio and Carl Paladino have been that awful.

This is a pivotal year for a state groaning under economic duress and crying out for leadership that will overhaul a government that's a dead weight on 18 million people - and corrupt to boot.

But hopes have been dashed that New Yorkers would have a choice between a Democrat and a Republican with robust competing visions and credible potential for delivering on them.

Repeat: Rick Lazio and Carl Paladino have been that awful.