I agree about Reagan creating landslides, but you must understand that it is a clear Platform that creates landslides. Not a Triangulation, in fact, I can't think of any Republican that ever ran left that has ever won a landslide. Usually the opposite happens. Its not like people magically change year to year when the candidates are issues-lite. Bush only won barely because it was Bush's fault for not making enough of a distinction from Gore, its just that simple. Thanks to 9/11, the distinction between the parties is CLEAR.
I'm not saying its Pataki's "fault" he lost NY, but I am saying that Pataki's failure as a leader hurt the GOP in that state. That will reflect at the ballot box to be sure. OK, I guess I am saying its Pataki's fault Bush lost NY in 00, but its not like he could have tried harder campaigning. Its fundamentals which he doesn't have and never will. Like (R)nold.
There is a reason California isn't embracing the most famous actor to ever run for political office, and has him at 43% negative in the last Field Poll. Its not that they didn't like his movies...