Redstate

The perception from conservatives in NY is that Pataki leaves somewhat of a “mixed bag” legacy. In his early terms, Mr. Pataki was more focused on fiscal restraint and cutting taxes to the population. However, since the beginning of his term the budget has grown every year. Admittedly, his proposed spending increases have been raised significantly after finding way to a NYS legislature which makes pork in the federal budget look like a strip of bacon.

Pataki’s final budget calls for hikes that appear to be twice the current rate of inflation. While there is some offset in tax cuts, they will not take full effect for about two years. As a mitigant, some of the spending relates to state Medicaid takeover and a partial financing of a property tax rebate. The latter is badly needed and widely perceived to be a very big issue here locally.

On social issues such as abortion, Pataki has stated in the past he is pro-choice. However, he has also been accused by abortion advocates of being more pro-life. Pataki supported not having Medicaid or state funds used for abortion, came out strongly against partial birth abortion and supports parental notification. Pataki has also stated his opposition to so called gay marriage.

Overall, this is a tough state in which to be a Republican. Mr. Pataki beat the odds in many respects by walking a very tough political line in order to continue getting elected. He has generally been perceived to have tapered off in his commitment to Republican ideals over the past few years. However, an examination of the record leaves that open to some limited debate.

Pataki really lacks a forceful dynamism and a good team around him to promote the record. Winning on a national level takes much more than having inroads with local political organizations and NY voter blocks. However, he did perform a powerful and contributory role after September 11th something I think Mr. Pataki never gets credit for. He is lower key and more to the right than Giuliani. However, he is very effective in behind the scenes political maneuvering. What does this mean for his chances in 2008? I am not sure, but he certainly compares favorably too many who have declared interest. It is a shame that people who could help him organizationally would abandon him now.

"Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori"

...a "sinking ship" that never floated in the first place? :-)

Who'd have thought Pataki would beat Cuomo? Certainly not one Rudolph Giuliani, who endorsed Cuomo!
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It is much more important to kill bad bills than to pass good ones. -- Calvin Coolidge

...why he wanted to be governor in the first place. I can't imagine why he would want to be President.

In his early days as governor, things did get somewhat better, but NYS is still one of the worst places to do business. The state is basically run by the governor, Joe Bruno (R, State Senate leader) and Shelly Silver (D, Legislature leader). They divide spoils like tribal chieftains while the rest of us get nothing but high tax bills.

NYS is an evil tax and regulatory environment, and Pataki didn't make it better in any lasting way. Although with Elliot Spitzer about to be crowned as governor-for-life, we're about to found out what real governmental evil is. Maybe Pataki has been keeping his fingers in the dike all these years.

(Why don't I just move myself and my companies out? Because you can't leave New York. If you've lived here for any amount of time, the state and city tax authorities will hound you for taxes forevermore without regard to where you earn your income subsequently, even in retirement. Think I'm kidding? I can give you some personal experiences that would make your eyebrows fall out.)

He did some good things, however the "debacle" that is cleanup and restoration and the many plan revisions of ground zero would have haunted his candidacy.

I believe he is angling for a cabinet post to be honest, not actually thinking he has a chance to become President.