As promised yesterday, here are some excerpts from the Roll Call article (subscription required) on Massa and Maffei:

Eric Massa, a retired Navy commander who finished 6,000 votes behind Rep. Randy Kuhl (R) in the 29th district, said he expects to make a decision on a rematch within the next week. Dan Maffei, a former Capitol Hill staffer who gave veteran Rep. Jim Walsh (R) the closest race of his career in the 25th district, does not have a timetable for announcing his future plans but has been to Washington, D.C., several times since the election and is staying in close touch with donors and supporters.

Both Massa and Maffei have been commiserating with each other since the election — and both sounded very much like candidates in separate interviews. Equally significant, Democratic leaders appear willing to give both another chance.

“They’ve come within 2 points of sitting Republicans,” said one Democratic insider in the Empire State. “If they come out of the box organized and keep pressing for the next year, with our junior Senator possibly at the top of the ticket as our presidential nominee, it’ll be a real opportunity for them.”

Here’s hoping they both run whether or not the junior Senator from NY is at the stop of the ticket

Related posts:

1. Times piece features Massa, Maffei
2. Maffei, Massa probable for 2008
3. Maffei congratulates Walsh on “apparent victory”
4. Watch Maffei w/out missing Massa
5. Massa and Maffei Town Hall meetings