Posted on 07/27/2005 3:04:04 AM PDT by Liz
Gov. Pataki told a group of aides last night that he will not seek re-election next year and alluded to a possible run for president in 2008 .............
.....the dinner was attended by about 30 people, including Pataki's wife, Libby, along with some of the governor's closest aides and supporters.
They included state Conservative Party Chairman Michael Long and Pataki fund-raiser Cathy Blaney.
In recent months, Pataki has indicated an interest in testing the water for a potential 2008 presidential run, although state and national GOP leaders give him little chance of succeeding.
People who attended the dinner said Pataki left the door open for a presidential run........"It's in my mind, and I will let you know, and the people of the state know, when we're ready to do that," said Pataki, a three-term governor who came to office after defeating Gov. Mario Cuomo in 1994 pledging to remake a state government that had been run by Democrats for decades.
Nearly a dozen public-opinion polls this year have shown Pataki facing defeat at the hands of state Attorney General Eliot Spitzer, the all-but-certain Democratic candidate for governor in 2006.
Two weeks ago, Pataki appeared at several events in Ohio the site of the first presidential primary caucus and did nothing to quell speculation that he is eyeing the White House.
State Republicans will face a desperate struggle to find a top-flight candidate.
..........former Mayor Rudy Giuliani, has ruled out entering the race in order to concentrate on his private business interests and a potential 2008 run for president, according to his political advisers.
Former Massachusetts Gov. William Weld, a New York native.........said earlier this year that he may enter the race if Pataki bows out, although state GOP leaders give him little chance of success.
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
"Former Massachusetts Gov. William Weld, a New York native.........said earlier this year that he may enter the race if Pataki bows out, although state GOP leaders give him little chance of success."
It never ceases to amaze me how many Republicans buy into the Lamestream media hype about Giussolini. The man is the media's other favorite Republican and the most OVERRATED politician in America.
Yes, it's a bigger axis of evil!
"The two enemies of the people are criminals and government, so let us tie the second down with the chains of the constitution so the second will not become the
legalized version of the first." -- Thomas Jefferson
He's probably laying groundwork for a vice-presidential nod. If the Democrat candidate is Clinton, Pataki can try and make the case that adding him to the ticket puts New York in play.
Could be........still a losing proposition for this idiot.
And if Slick Willie Weld won the primary, I'd be the first to declare myself President of the "Outstate Republicans for Spitzer" ! =8-0>
I like that Jefferson quote!
I will save that on my profile page with the rest of them..
Rudy stumped extensively for southern GOP House and Senate members in 2002 and 2004, all of whom owe him a favor.
Given his recent electoral track record, apparently Rudy plays well in Old Dixie.
No way, no how!
Allen/Rudy is looking good to me.
Pataki is not popular enough in NY to deliver a state to a republican presidential candidate, where there are 2 million more registered Ds then Rs.
Rudy on the other hand, might be. and he also helps in closer states like NJ and PA. Especially NJ, a large number of NYCers moved there after 9-11.
I standby my original comment. The Bible Belt would not vote for Rudy, and he could not win without us.
I agree he cannot win without you, but he will mop the floor if he goes up against McCain, Frist or Allen in the South.
I like Allen, loved his Dad. Had the privilige of meeting him at the old Touchdown Club in downtown DC.
Nobody in the South gives a damn about that. But they all know who Rudy is from 9/11, and he will mop the floor in Dixie with any of the presumptive field of 08 candidates.
You have the right to be wrong if you want to, but you do not know what you are talking about. I guess that you will just have to see for yourself.
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