He tried to make the call the night of the election, but he could not get through.

He gave it a shot the next day. No luck.

On Day 3, he more or less gave up.

In politics, it is the conversation nobody wants to have: the brief, gracious, stilted acknowledgment of defeat.

And so far, Carl P. Paladino hasn’t had it.

Nearly 36 hours after he lost the election for governor of New York — an eternity in politics — the Republican nominee has not yet formally conceded defeat to his Democrat opponent, Andrew M. Cuomo. It is virtually unheard of for such a call to come after Election Day.

It is not for lack of trying, however, said Mr. Paladino’s campaign manager, Michael R. Caputo.

He said that on Wednesday, he spoke with Mr. Cuomo’s campaign manager, Joseph Percoco, and obtained Mr. Cuomo’s personal telephone number. Mr. Paladino placed a call to Mr. Cuomo.

“Last I heard he had not received a return call,” Mr. Caputo said by e-mail.

A spokesman for Mr. Cuomo did not comment, but an aide indicated that Mr. Cuomo intended to speak with Mr. Paladino.

Even though they have not spoken, both men delivered the traditional speeches declaring victory and accepting defeat.

Such a long delay is highly unusual — especially in an era of BlackBerrys and cellphones, and it remained unclear who was holding up the conversation, Mr. Cuomo or Mr. Paladino.

It does not appear Mr. Cuomo’s cellphone is broken: He has found time in the last 24 hours to speak with President Obama.

(Source: NY Times)