NYT: Pataki Will Test '08 Winds in Iowa

[DeepModem Mom]

Pataki Will Test '08 Winds in Iowa
By ADAM NAGOURNEY
Published: July 15, 2005


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 test of whether a moderate Republican from New York has a real chance of winning his party's presidential nomination.

If he ran, Mr. Pataki, who supports abortion rights and gun control, would most likely be the most moderate candidate in the Republican field, and would face significant hurdles with a Republican primary electorate that has become increasingly conservative, particularly in states like Iowa.

His associates, who said they would discuss Mr. Pataki's plans only anonymously in deference to his wishes, said that should he seek the presidency, he would not run for re-election as governor, in the belief it would be impossible to run for president while still running New York State....

***

Mr. Pataki is hardly alone among governors with national ambitions who have spotted political opportunity in the meeting of the National Governors' Association in Des Moines. Amid the usual dry diet of news conferences and forums on education, energy and Medicaid, Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico, a Democrat, is speaking to a fund-raising lunch of Iowa trial lawyers; Gov. Mitt Romney, a Republican of Massachusetts, is meeting with Iowa Republican legislative leaders and appearing with Mr. Pataki at the Republican lunch; and Gov. Mark Warner, the Virginia Democrat and departing chairman of the National Governors' Association, is a keynote speaker at a private Democratic Party luncheon....


http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/15/politics/15pataki.html?hp&ex=1121400000&en=fdc71bd0bed730ea&ei=5094&partner=homepage

[Wickerman]

1. seriously?

:rofl:

Pataki in Iowa, man, this is when I love Iowa being so early. He won't wash.

[kurtyboy]

12. Actually, in a PolySci class on elections I took in the Spring

My group's analysis of possible candidates had Pataki as the GOP VP choice in 2008. Strong personality, a chance to split the Northeast, and no genuine baggage vis a vis voting record.

We also had him getting his ass kicked by a bipartisan Bayh-McCain ticket, which will "never" happen..............

[BattyDem]

2. Pataki? For PRESIDENT?!?!?

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

Don't bet on it, George. :eyes:

[Cha]

3. Gross! It's sure as hell

that slimeball won't be governor of New York after 2006!

[Nite Owl]

4. My first thought

when I got the NOW email this am. He is planning on vetoing the Emergency Contraception bill that finally got passed in the Republican Senate. Not a way to win votes in NY if he was going to run for Governor but a way to position himself with the right wing for a run for the Presidency.

[HockeyMom]

16. My thoughts too

It's been a few weeks since that bill passed and no word on him signing it. The ONLY reason he wouldn't sign it would be if he was trying to court the NATIONAL Right to Life people. What a hypocrite.

I wonder how he is planning on explaining his pro gun control stance since HE wrote our gun control legislation which is supposedly the toughest in the nation.

[Gloria]

5. OH, PUHLEEEEEZ!!!

LOL :rofl:

[Gyre]

6. If they know how to steal elections now

it's not quite so laugh-worthy.:)

Gyre

[Historic NY]

7. Yeah okay.........he can't run on his dismal record......

whats left 911.....perhaps he is auditioning for a VP slot.

[ISUGRADIA]

8. Oh, how rich he'll probably not run in 06 in NY because he'd

get creamed. So a presidential run is a better bet for him to run and lose.

[UpInArms]

9. Pataki? In 3 years no one will even know

what office he ever held.

:rofl:

[Itchinjim]

10. This Iowan sez:

"Stay the fuck outa my state you GOP shitbag!"

[davidinalameda]

11. I'd vote for Frist over Pataki

but what about Rudy?

what does this say about his running in 2008

[KitchenWitch]

13. I think Tim Pawlenty (Governor of MN) is also considering a run in 08

Word to the wise....not that you all need it here....he hosed the state, has no business trying to govern the country.

[jobycom]

14. He ought to test the winds down here in Texas

Say, around lunch time at Lucky's All You Can Eat Burrito Buffet. He'd receive a warm welcome, and feel the vibes of love all around him. Better than a 21 gun salute.

[tishaLA]

15. BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

The only wind george will get is flatulence.

[Cooley Hurd]

17. You have to have a discernible personality to run for President...

...don't you?:shrug:

Pataki is as exciting as a Swiffer wipe. :boring:

[0007]

18. How dumb can this moron be....or is this just another way to stuff

his pockets?

[shadowknows69]

19. Go for it George. We here in upstate NY need a laugh.

after what you've done to our state :rofl: