To the surprise of few, New York Republican Gov. George Pataki announced week that he would not seek a fourth term next year. Moderate Pataki, who was first elected in 1994 by defeating three-term Democrat Mario Cuomo, also hinted that he would seek the Republican nomination for President in ??¢â???¬â???¢08. Although most pundits agree his pro-abortion and pro-gun control stands would fatally hurt him among conservative GOP activists, Pataki recently toured Iowa, home of the first-in-the-nation presidential caucuses, and also hosted a private dinner for his biggest financial backers at the Water Club in Albany.
The certain Democratic nominee for governor is anti-business New York Atty. Gen. Eliot Spitzer, who has already banked $12 million in campaign contributions. Meanwhile, within 24 hours of Pataki??¢â???¬â???¢s announcement, a group of Republican gubernatorial hopefuls met with state party leaders at a closed-door conference at the Sonoma Grill outside Buffalo. Drawing the most praise at the conclave were former state Assemblyman John Faso and Secretary of State Randy Daniels, both of whom are considered close to Pataki but more conservative than the retiring governor.
