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A day after Andrew Cuomo tapped him as his running mate, Rochester Mayor Robert Duffy formally introduced himself to state Democrats at the state Democratic Convention.

"I relish the opportunity to take on the challenges facing our state," said Duffy.

The popular upstate politician took the stage shortly before Cuomo accepted the party's designation.

"Our economy is hurting everywhere in this state," said Duffy. "We desperately need to address the long-standing issues facing upstate New York.

After the speech, Duffy would not elaborate on what his role would be, only to say that it would not be ceremonial. It is likely he would work on reviving upstate.

To Rochester delegates, that was welcome news, though after years of being promised a better day, any optimism was tempered with caution.

"People will hold him accountable. If they don't do anything, we'll be tougher the next time," said Monroe County delegate Sue Gerling.

One criticism coming from delegates was not focused on Duffy himself, but on race, and the belief that Democrats missed an opportunity to create a racially-balanced ticket.

"I'm disappointed that the party didn't have a real diversity on the top of the ticket," said Brooklyn Assemblyman Felix Ortiz.

That said, Ortiz believes Duffy is qualified for the job.

The political reality of the last two years almost certainly means that the lieutenant governor candidates will be more heavily scrutinized than they were in the past.

"Based on what we've experienced these last several years, no doubt that's going to happen," said Bronx Assemblyman Michael Benjamin.

Governor David Paterson has been more than criticized for his leadership abilities, after he took over for Eliot Spitzer, who resigned only 14 months into his first term.