Rick Lazio declined (again) to say whether he will remain in the general election on the Conservative Party line, but did make a point of noting: “People have run on third party lines in New York and have won.”

He also said he intends to “have a voice” in the general election, regardless of what his final decision is.

“I think New York is a very volatile political environment,” Lazio told reporters following his remarks at an Associated Press conference at the Desmond Hotel outside Albany.

“I think people are justifiably angry. I believe that that anger is best channeled to force the candidates to lay out how they’re going to solve the problems facing New York, which is substandard growth and high unemployment.”

Despite the fact GOP leaders have called for him to quit and Conservative Chairman Mike Long has asked that he make a decision sooner rather than later, Lazio said “there will be a time” for him to announce his decision.

He did not say when that might be.

As for his erstwhile GOP primary opponent, Carl Paladino, Lazio rather wryly said: “I have no idea what that campaign is capable of – obviously.”

He then went on to take both parties to task for the negative tone the campaign has taken.

“My intent was to be part of a constructive, responsible debate, to be somebody who could try keep this tone more positive, more civil than what we’ve seen,” Lazio said.

“I would say both candidates – and again, I include the trash that has come out from the state Democratic committee, I know Andrew has been trying to keep arm’s length from that, but I think both sides should feel as though it’s their responsibility to have a more civil dialogue, tohave a more respectful diaglogue, a more issue-oriented discussion than what they’ve had right now.”

“As I’ve said like 10 times no person in New York is going to have a better life because of one candidate trading insults with another candidate.”

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