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ANKENY, Iowa - Republicans can avert a disastrous midterm election this fall by returning to basic conservative themes that set them apart from Democrats, New York Gov. George Pataki said Saturday. "There will be a lot of change between now and November," Pataki said in an interview with The Associated Press. "I understand that it will be a tough year, but we have to get back to focusing on what Republicans stand for." Pataki was visiting Iowa, where he campaigned and raised money for legislative candidates, and tested the waters for a possible bid for the Republican presidential nomination in...

ALBANY, N.Y. - As Republican George Pataki set off on his latest national political foray Friday, a top adviser to a potential White House rival blasted the New York governor for becoming "a full-time presidential candidate." Pataki announced a year ago that he would not seek a fourth term as governor in 2006. He is instead eyeing a 2008 run for the White House and has been spending much of his time outside New York in recent months, visiting states with early presidential nominating contests. On Friday, Pataki was making stops in New Hampshire, the site of the first presidential...

Politicians from the northeast have largely opposed the government requirements for the use of ethanol, seeing it as uneconomical and little more than a subsidy to corn growers in states like Iowa. Q. So why would George Pataki have turned up on Fox News this morning proposing a variety of New York State tax subsidies to promote the use of ethanol? A. Please re-read the last nine words in the first paragraph: "a subsidy to corn growers in states like Iowa." If there was any doubt that Pataki is giving serious consideration to a presidential run, his proposal this morning...

Fund-raising for the political-action committee used by Gov. Pataki to raise his national profile has nose-dived since he announced in July that he would not seek a fourth term in New York. ............in the last three months of 2005, Pataki's 21st Century Freedom State PAC raised just $107,147. It raised $636,901 in the first three months of the year. In the first six months of last year, the PAC collected almost $1.1 million. In the final six months, $384,397 was raised. Pataki........traveled to Iowa and New Hampshire, the traditional early battleground states for the presidential nomination.

Gov. George Pataki, eyeing a possible White House run in 2008, continued to shake the money tree Thursday with a little help from House Speaker Dennis Hastert. Pataki was in Chicago for a $1,000-a-person fundraising luncheon to benefit his Virginia-based 21st Century Freedom PAC, the political action committee he uses to finance his national activities. Later Thursday, the New York Republican was headed to Iowa for a two-day visit to the state that hosts the caucuses that traditionally begin the presidential nominating process. It is Pataki's third trip to Iowa in four months. Pataki was coming off three days in...

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - Gov. George Pataki will veto legislation that would allow women to buy the "morning-after" pill without a prescription, a decision described by abortion rights advocates as "sheer political expediency" to build conservative support for a 2008 presidential run. Pataki disclosed his plans Sunday night through spokesman Kevin Quinn. "Consistent with his record on women's reproductive issues, the governor plans to veto the legislation primarily because it provides no protection whatsoever for minors," Quinn said. "If this and other flaws in the bill are addressed, and a responsible version of the bill is advanced, the governor would...

Note to Republican presidential primary candidates: Don't underestimate George Pataki. There was a time when the pundits said he couldn't win a freshman's run for mayor of Peekskill. They also said that about him when he ran for the Assembly and then the State Senate. In each instance this quiet, thoughtful man proved himself an astute politician who could read his constituents far better than the pollsters and the political analysts. Not only did he run and win but he was able to position himself in such a way that an expanding circle of voters genuinely welcomed him as a...

Albany, NY (LifeNews.com) -- New York Gov. George Pataki announced Wednesday he will not seek a fourth term and hinted that he may be considering a run for the Republican nomination for president in 2008. However, pro-life groups say voters who oppose abortion should look elsewhere for a candidate to support. In a new conference Pataki said he would not run for re-election but didn't comment directly on his future plans. Pataki did say he would follow a "new path" when his term ends, hinting a possible presidential candidacy. Pataki said he accomplished "amazing things" during his tenure, but pro-life...

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...

ALBANY, N.Y. - Gov. George Pataki, eyeing a possible bid for the 2008 GOP presidential nomination, was expected to announce Wednesday that he will not seek re-election to a fourth term next year, a close Republican associate said Tuesday night. The associate, who spoke only on condition of anonymity because the governor had not authorized release of the information, said Pataki would announce his decision Wednesday at a news conference in Albany.

Gov. George E. Pataki of New York is headed to Iowa this weekend for what associates described on Thursday as an exploration of whether he should run for president in 2008, reflecting what they called an increased likelihood that he would forgo a bid for a fourth term next year and turn to the national stage. Gov. George E. Pataki could grab the votes of G.O.P. moderates. Mr. Pataki's associates said he viewed the trip - as part of a visit by him to a National Governors' Association meeting, taking place in a state that begins the presidential selection process...

WASHINGTON, July 14 - Gov. George E. Pataki of New York is headed to Iowa this weekend for what associates described on Thursday as an exploration of whether he should run for president in 2008, reflecting what they called an increased likelihood that he would forgo a bid for a fourth term next year and turn to the national stage. Mr. Pataki's associates said he viewed the trip - as part of a visit by him to a National Governors' Association meeting, taking place in a state that begins the presidential selection process with its winter caucuses - as a...

(1010 WINS) (ALBANY) Republican Gov. George Pataki said Tuesday that while he already has ``the greatest job there is in America,'' he would not rule out a run for the GOP presidential nomination in 2008. ``I'm not ruling it out,'' Pataki told reporters over lunch at an Albany restaurant, adding after a pause, ``Not at all.'' Pataki said while he was not thinking about becoming a presidential candidate, ``at this point, ... certainly there's going to be a new candidate for president in my party in 2008 and I want to be part of the policy debate involved around that.''...

March 29, 2005 -- ALBANY — Gov. Pataki has decided not to seek another term next year and will concentrate instead on a bid for the vice-presidential nomination in 2008, a report last night said. The New York 1 report — which cited unnamed "sources" saying the governor had told friends of his decision — was quickly denied by Pataki's chief spokesman, David Catalfamo.