Maybe marching in that Pulaski Day Parade wasn’t such a dumb idea after all for congressional hopeful Chris Cox.

Cox took a lot of ribbing from one of his GOP primary opponents, George Demos, for traveling far from the 1st CD he’s seeking to represent to take part in the July 18 event (which, incidentally, is a big deal out in Cheektowaga, which is a bellweather area for statewide contenders).

But the trip turned out to be worth it, because it gave Cox the opportunity to meet – and win the approval of – gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino. The two chatted in front of a parade float, and discussed Cox running on Paladino’s independent “Taxpayers” line.

Paladino told me yesterday on “Capital Tonight” that he was impressed by Cox and decided not to “hold the son responsible for the actions of the father.” (That, of course, would be state GOP Chairman Ed Cox, who is no fan of Paladino’s).

“He seems to have his arms around the issues,” Paladino said. He seems to be reform minded…I had an extensive discussion with him, and we are comfortable that the apple didn’t, uh, did fall a little bit further from that tree.”

Paladino said Chris Cox hasn’t yet formally sought his endorsement, but he sounded open to offering it – if asked. That would be something: The son of the state chairman who tried to keep the gubernatorial designee, Rick Lazio, from becoming the party’s standard-bearer getting the nod from the standard-bearer’s primary opponent.

Also during the interview, Paladino told me that he’s likely to run joint newspaper ads that would benefit himself and any candidate who runs on his Taxpayer line. He also said AG Andrew Cuomo is most concerned about him, not Lazio, because he’s the one with momentum.

According to today’s Q poll, he’s right (at least about the momentum part).

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