New Yorkers Pataki

[jcrew2001]

From Washington Post:
Pataki Drifts Toward The Sidelines

By Chris Cillizza and Zachary A. Goldfarb
Friday, March 16, 2007; A04

Former New York governor George E. Pataki, a moderate Republican long thought to be considering a White House bid, is sending clear signals that he is backing away from a campaign.

Former Iowa Senate majority leader Stewart Iverson, a senior adviser to Pataki's political action committee in Iowa, announced yesterday that he is leaving to join former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney's presidential campaign.

Pataki isn't completely writing off a bid just yet, but he is making clear to supporters in Iowa and New Hampshire that they can join other campaigns.

"The governor has said he's focusing on policy, not politics, and understands if some of his good friends want to make decisions . He's completely supportive of it," said Alicia Preston, a Pataki spokeswoman.

The three-term governor also recently joined a prominent New York City law firm to work on environmental issues.

Perhaps Pataki's biggest problem in trying to mount a campaign has been the presence of a more famous New Yorker in the GOP race -- former mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani.
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My Take:
For many of us New Yorkers, 2008 will very likely have one or more NYers on the ticket.
Pataki was an okay governor, he did serve 3 terms, which makes him viable for the national stage. I see him as a highly likely VP candidate, second choice if JEB passes.
If Rudy wins - Pataki won't be VP because the VP cannot be from the same state.
Romney - wouldn't choose Pataki as a fellow Northerner.
McCain - might choose Pataki as VP if JEB passes, but Pataki likely would not turn NY/NJ/PA red.

Pataki isn't a great speaker, I think he'll ultimately run for Senate if Hillary is elected president.