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This week, New York's wild U.S. Senate race between first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton (D) and New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani (R) got even wilder. Two weeks after publicly disclosing his prostate cancer, Giuliani went before cameras to say his marriage was in trouble. His estranged wife, Donna Hanover, held her own press conference just a few hours later, though she alluded more freely of the mayor's marital infidelities.

Already facing questions about his desire and intent to continue a Senate campaign he never formally announced, Giuliani said Thursday his political life is not over yet, and he's still mulling the race against Clinton. But time is running out for him to make a decision, and New York Republicans are quietly and quickly preparing for a late-inning substitute in the country's most-watched Senate race.

"The Republicans are done with Rolaids and deep into the Maalox up in Albany at this point." Republican political consultant Nelson Warfield, on the anxiety of state GOP leaders faced with the possibility of Rudolph Giuliani having to drop his U.S. Senate bid against Hillary Clinton. (New York Newsday May 12)

In N.Y., What Next? Giuliani said this week that right now, he doesn't "even care about politics." Should he stay in the race, or should he go? • What's Your Opinion?

• They're Awaiting Giuliani Decision
(The Times Union, Albany, N.Y., May 12)
• G.O.P. Politely Searches for an Alternative
(The New York Times, May 11; registration required)
• Mayor Tests GOP's Nerves
(New York Daily News, May 11)
• Bracing for an Exit: GOP Prepares
(New York Newsday, May 12)
• Transcript: Giuliani on His Marriage
(The New York Times, May 10)
• Transcript: Giuliani on His Candidacy
(The Washington Post, May 11)
• Full Coverage: N.Y. Senate Race

At the direction of some of her advisors, Clinton has kept very quiet on Giuliani's problems, for several reasons. Chief among them is the knowledge that if the first lady does not make news, the media spotlight will stay firmly fixed on her rival .
• Mrs. Clinton Stays Quiet While Mayor Is in Spotlight
(The New York Times, May 12)
• Clinton Stays Mum on Rival's Woes
(New York Daily News, May 11)
• First Lady Won't Discuss Giuliani Issues
(The Washington Post, May 11)

Echoing the public reaction over President Clinton's marital infidelities, New Yorkers queried about Giuliani's situation expressed disappointment in the mayor but maintained that his personal life should not affect his politics. Reaction from New York's political leaders, however, varied.
• Giuliani's Marital Uproar Brings Winces and Sighs
(The New York Times, May 12)
• An Aftershock of Political Opinions
(New York Post, May 11)

With New York's raucous media environment, city and state politicians must wear a thick skin. And even though Giuliani's "soap opera" is perfect tabloid fodder, how much coverage of his private life is too much? According to some city editors, the mayor did not help the ensuing fallout by his pre-announcement actions.
• Giuliani's Split: Ultimate N.Y. Story? Or Over the Top?
(New York Newsday, May 11)
• Story Simmers Before Tabloids Spill the Beans
(The Washington Post, May 12)