It's been almost a full month since the Spitzer for Governor campaign ripped down its interactive message board (upon fielding unflattering remarks about Eliot Spitzer's running mate, David Paterson). At the time, Spitzer supporters blew off the trashing of the message board as simply a step toward redesigning the entire campaign web site.

Well, it's a month later, and no redesign has taken place

In any event, that's not an issue any more...Announcing:

The New York Governor's Race Message Board.

There are a few reasons for this message board. First of all, comments on Late Final have been either hampered by issues with Movable Type's Blacklist, or blog spammers. And comments are important.

Second, this is the first campaign for governor in New York since 1982 without an incumbent running for re-election. There are real, competitive races for the Democratic, Republican and Conservative nominations.

In most cases, the New York governor (such as Teddy Roosevelt, FDR, Thomas Dewey, Nelson Rockefeller or Mario Cuomo) becomes a de-facto contender for president. (Notable exceptions include Hugh Carey and George Pataki.) There should be a place for people interested in this race to exchange thoughts and ideas, and debate. It's likely that the candidates will spend more than $100 million, combined, campaigning for the right to govern a $110 billion state budget. There's a lot to talk about.

And now you can, right here.

The second announcement: Late Final introduces Badablog, a new blog devoted to discussion of the hit HBO Series The Sopranos (and other mob stuff.) It's updated, as of this morning, with a look at tonight's third episode of the season.