After recently delaying the announcement of her candidacy, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney is reportedly now "leaning against" challenging Kirsten Gillibrand for the Senate. Her departure, or failure to enter, or whatever, would leave only a handful of lesser-known candidates — people not threatening enough for state and national Democratic leaders to strong-arm out of the race — who may be willing to take on the unelected incumbent appointed by an unelected governor in a primary. [Glenn Thrush/Politico]