For a few weeks now I’ve been considering writing a piece about how there’s nothing for political hacks like me to do between the months of November and June. That exercise in self-pity is going to have to wait now due to Chris Lee’s Chippenfail Craigslist pics.

Chris Lee: Too cheap for Ashley Madison. Too dumb for Craigslist.

Thanks, ex-Congressman Lee, for dispensing with my February boredom and replacing it with the upcoming whirlwind that the special election will most likely be.

Special elections are a breed apart from the typical races that are run yearly.

The average off-year election season is like starting an old diesel truck in the winter. You spend some time sitting around, letting the glow plugs warm the fuel. Finally, when you’re ready to start ‘er up, you turn the key and gently pump the gas pedal. Then engine turns over, she smokes and sputters for a moment and you’re ready to go.

A special election, particularly if it is held mid-year, is akin to strapping an orbital rocket to your back and lighting it with a flamethrower.

So, sometime this year, the locusts will descend upon the 26th. Many of the unemployed political operatives from last November will be filling out new W-4′s. The money will flow, signs will be printed, campaign offices will be opened. Ground troops will be imported from all over the state and put to work in the neighborhoods and at the phone banks. For a brief time, NY-26 will become the focus of more attention than we’re used to.

There’s nothing quite like a campaign to help warm the February freeze. So, Mr. Governor, what are we waiting for? Let’s get started.

Caption provided by Al l of yesterdays caption contest.