Governor Andrew Cuomo is planning to bring the marriage equality bill to the floor, but doesn't want a repeat of December 2009 when the same-sex marriage bill was defeat because there were not enough yes votes in the Senate. Our Nick Reisman has more now on how Cuomo is working to convince lawmakers on the fence to buck some powerful political allies and let gay couples legally wed in New York.

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ALBANY, N.Y. -- Governor Andrew Cuomo is trying to legalize same-sex marriage using a complex political strategy that relies not on convincing reluctant lawmakers on the merits, but how they can avoid repercussions from both voters and Mike Long, the powerful state Conservative Party chairman. The governor, meanwhile, was on the defensive this week after some advocates accused him of not truly wanting the measure approved.

"A majority of the people in this state now approve of marriage equality. We're making progress. I'm doing everything I can. We'll see. We'll keep our fingers crossed. I'm cautiously optimistic. We had a very good and different session, legislative session, in the last few months," said Cuomo on Wednesday.

Lawmakers who support gay marriage defend the governor's cautious strategy.

"I certainly agree with the governor's strategy that you don't put the bill out unless you have the votes. We never put a bill on the floor without knowing we have the votes," said Assemblyman Daniel O'Donnell.

Cuomo sees some room for persuading a few GOP lawmakers to change their votes. Observers say the goal isn't to necessarily change minds on gay marriage, but give political cover to vulnerable senators.

"The most important thing is legislators hear the will of the people and hear their constituents and hear the broad and wide support for marriage," said Ross Levi, Empire State Pride Agenda Executive Director.

The strategy may be working. On Tuesday, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg met privately with Republican senators who may vote yes.

"I believe that some of the failure in previous years has been the inability of those pushing gay marriage in the state of New York to really pay attention to those on the other side," Senator Greg Ball said.

Cuomo aides say privately that the goal is to choreograph the gay marriage vote in the Senate so that lawmakers from moderate or conservative districts don't cast a crucial yes or no. Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos is opposed to gay marriage, but would support bringing the bill to the floor.