So does the Times have a bomb waiting to go off, or is it just a simple Metro section profile?

Last week, rumors swirled among media outlets, gadflies, and Twitterers (and we count ourselves among all three) that the Times was in the midst of legal review for a sensitive bombshell story that could be the undoing of the already-unpopular Governor David Paterson.

Said the Times-Union:

The last few weeks have brought two major eruptions of rumors concerning Paterson's private life: reports of nuzzling at a New Jersey restaurant and being caught in semi-flagrante in a utility closet in the Governor's Mansion -- stories that Paterson and his press office have vehemently denied.

According to sources who have actually been interviewed for the Times' story, its central narrative is the role played by members of Paterson's inner circle in his personal and political activities.

Over the weekend, that tidbit miraculously morphed into Paterson's possible resignation today, which was vehemently denied by his spokesperson (naturally). But no one had any more information on the mystery Times story, which exists in some form but is clearly not ready for publication.

How do we know? Every political reporter between the city and Albany is trying to figure out what's going on and would love to scoop the Times.

In the meantime, what we do know is that Paterson held calls over the weekend with high-level Democratic leaders to discuss his political future (like there is one at this point).