After various close sources claimed that former NY governor George Pataki would run for president, now close sources say he will not run. Further, YNN reports that Pataki isn't even going to Iowa—even though his advisers called up organizers of a Iowa fundraiser to say he was headed there. more ›

For some reason, it really does seem like former New York governor George Pataki is serious about running for president. After sources told media outlets he's ready to jump into the shark tank a few days, now it turns out Pataki is going to be at a Republican picnic in Iowa this weekend and there's some sort of George Pataki 2012 prototype website. more ›

These days, the media loves covering the presidential aspirations of Michele Bachmann and Rick Perry (and not Ron Paul). So we're not sure why former New York governor George Pataki is thinking about running for president. As the Daily News puts it, "He's pro-choice, pro-union and pro-gay marriage, so... Pataki's plan to possibly join the red-meat pack vying for the GOP presidential nod drew puzzled looks Sunday." more ›

Finally, after leaving us on tenterhooks with months (years!) of speculation, former governor George Pataki has announced that he's not entering the 2012 race. He told Sean Hannity on Fox News last night, "I'm not running for president" (but he also said, "never say never"). Instead, Pataki said he's starting an advocacy group to reduce the deficit, "I think this is an extraordinarily important issue. We are going to focus on this." more ›

When Andrew Cuomo is sworn-in as Governor on January 1, 2011, it probably won't be a million-dollar bash—unlike those of Eliot Spitzer and George Pataki before him. Trying to emphasize the state's budget troubles the Gov-elect instead is reportedly leaning towards a modest affair for family and friends inside the Capitol. Which means, if they really want to go cost-effective, that Cuomo's not-going-to-be-First Lady Sandra Lee should totally cater the whole thing semi-homemade, right? more ›

Possible future Governor of New York State Carl Paladino knows how to close a deal! While his rival Andrew Cuomo entered the election's home stretch by rallying his supporters and campaigning, Paladino knew all he had to do was kick back, crack open a cold one, and remind everyone that the only reason he's running for office is because his son tragically died in a car accident last year. Check and mate, Cuomo—and while you were out there breaking a sweat, Paladino had plenty of free time to celebrate Halloween in a Buffalo bar with a guy in blackface, thus proving that Paladino can't be racist, because he has a (temporarily) black friend. more ›

News flash: Republican gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino may be "mad as hell" about the Albany cesspool, but he really loved the 1996 film The English Patient and "gasped" when he was told by a reporter that one of the film's stars was standing in the lobby of the CBS Studios yesterday. The NY Times reveals, "The gruff, aggressive candidate gasped, saying he liked the film, and rushed over to introduce himself. 'I’m Carl Paladino,' he said. 'I loved, what was that movie?' he asked the reporter. 'The English Patient,’ he said, with a prompt. Shaking the woman’s hand up and down, he asked, 'What’s your name?' 'Kristin Scott Thomas,' she replied." more ›

Carl Paladino has hit the big stage in grand style since his defeat of Rick Lazio in Tuesday's Republican gubernatorial primary, giving interviews to anyone who'll have him, and saying anything he wants to. His loose lips led current Gov. Paterson and former Gov. Eliot Spitzer to call him "unfit" for office. But if a tree falls in the forest, and it's reported in the media, do you really think Paladino isn't going to have a vicious response ready? more ›

Yesterday, the Wall Street Journal hosted a morning breakfast forum between Gov. Paterson and his two predecessors, former Gov.'s Eliot Spitzer and George Pataki. It was a meeting that rivaled the Yalta Conference—not for historical significance, but certainly for posture and barbs. The three once and present leaders of the Empire State were friendly with one another, discussing political decisions, regrets, and Republican gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino, whom they all had comments for. Some highlights of the forum: more ›

Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is losing out in the polls to an opponent who hasn't even announced his candidacy yet. "We'll see down the road," said Republican ex-governor George Pataki, when asked if he would vie for the seat. Marist College research shows Pataki beating the former upstate congresswoman by two percentage points, 47-45. As for job approval, a scant 27 percent of the electorate believe Gillibrand, who critics say fails to connect with voters, is doing good work, reports the Post. Fifty-one percent rated her performance in the Senate as fair or poor, however the study suggests she could best other potential rivals like onetime Nassau County official Bruce Blakemen, American Idol dad Joe DioGuardi and former Wall Street economist David Malpass.
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Today, former governor George Pataki unveiled his official portrait (the one with the smile he doesn't like) in Albany, but PolitickerNY reports that he refused to partake in speculation about his potential entry into next year's elections. Pataki said, "It would be premature to answer hypotheticals. This is not a day for politics. This is a day to recognize Governor Paterson for his graciousness and to thank the people of the state for the great privilege. Politics can wait." more ›

The Post reports, "Top state Republicans will urge former Mayor Rudy Giuliani to abandon his interest in running for governor and run instead against unelected US Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand." Apparently some think there isn't support for a Governor Giuliani, what with polls showing that Attorney General Andrew Cuomo would beat him, but Senator GIuliani has a more appealing ring—"State Republicans describe Giuliani's chances against Gillibrand as excellent and say the statewide organization fielded by Cox to become party leader could become a powerful base for a Giuliani Senate race." Interesting, especially since former governor George Pataki has been mentioned as a possible Senate candidate—but he's got a lot of baggage. more ›

Rudy Giuliani sure didn't sound like someone on the verge of making a run for governor while speaking at a Crain's New York breakfast this morning. Giuiani joked about the state GOP, “There’s no question that if you have to rely on George Pataki and me, you’re in big trouble." He said that he wasn't paying close attention to state issues and added, "I got elected mayor, I believe, on the theory of — it can't get worse. So if it gets to that point, maybe I'll decide [to go for it]." (But he does NY's got big problems!) Meanwhile Governor Paterson was shrugging off speculation about Democrats this week who gathered and talked about how poor his chances were of getting elected. He said, "A lot of people are voicing concerns when they should be focusing on the fact that this state overspends, that this state has unfortunately paid more attention to personal interests than the interests of the entire group of people that live here in this state." The governor also made a personal appearance in town this morning—partying at the nightclub Taj while Funkmaster Flex Dj'd until 1 a.m. A Gawker tipster spotted the governor said, "He need to get his blind ass home." more ›

The Grand Old Party is thinking about trotting out an old horse in 2010: Senator "Big Bad" John Cornyn (R-Texas), who is heading up the Republican's Senate campaign efforts, told reporters that he's lining up a challenger to face Senator Kirsten Gillibrand in 2010: "In New York there's sort of a short list. I've talked to Gov. Pataki about it, but I don't know what he will decide." Well, they did have some sort of talk in February—but do New Yorkers really want to see Pataki again? By the end of Pataki's term, in 2006, only 30% of voters approved of the job he was doing! Cornyn was also honest about needing less super-conservative contenders, "I don't expect candidates in the Northeast to be as conservative as I am because frankly I don't think they can win." But he's hopeful, since Hillary Clinton is no longer the incumbent, "Thank President Obama for giving us an opportunity... I'm just not ready to pop the cork yet." more ›

Last night, the NY Republican State Committee's dinner featured keynote speaker Newt Gingrich. That's right, the former Speaker of the House wasn't just in town for tea bagging! PolitickerNY reports that Gingrich was hyping up a Republican dream team for 2010: "“I think if we had Mayor Giuliani for governor, and we had Governor Pataki as senator, we would be in a large step towards the tidal wave to make 2010 comparable to 1994. And I think that should be our goal." Gingrich also believes the state GOP will be facing Andrew Cuomo in 2010, "So, you got to design a campaign that beats Cuomo, because the fact is, Democrats aren’t insane. When a member of the Democratic Party becomes too weak to reelect, they tend to cannibalize them before we get to them." more ›

The NY Post offers some speculation about former governor George Pataki's meeting with Senator John Cornyn. Because Cornyn is heading the GOP's Senate committee, it was plausible, if not a great idea, that Big Bad John might be courting Pataki to run against Senator Kirsten Gillibrand in 2010. The Post reports, "But many believe Pataki's subsequent drift to the left and failure to control spending weakened the state GOP and quashed any hopes he had of turning his 12-year Statehouse reign into a bid for the presidency. Likewise, national Republicans view the prospect of a Pataki run for Senate as remote. A longtime Pataki associate said the Senate talk was likely designed to draw business for his private law practice." more ›

A source tells the AP that national Republicans "have approached" former governor George Pataki "about running for the U.S. Senate in 2010." Apparently Senator ("Big Bad") John Cornyn, who heads the GOP's national senate committee, met with Pataki on Tuesday, apparently discussing Pataki as a challenger to Senator Kirsten Gillibrand in 2010. Pataki did not accept or reject the offer, but after 12 years of Pataki, does NY State want more? We suppose that would put his PAC money to better use. more ›

Recently the five GOP borough heads in New York have been throwing their weight around with veiled threats that they might shut the lights off and pretend that nobody's home when Mayor Mike shows up at their party and tries to get back inside for his mayoral run after ditching out on them last year. They feel scorned by Bloomberg's years of neglecting them even before leaving last year. So who's stepping in to try and smooth things over? GOP brothers (and foes!) from years past, Rudy Giuliani and George Pataki, may be reminding local Repubs that there isn't much of a party these days without the mayor. Pataki said the GOP needs Bloomberg as "someone who's shown his ability to lead the city... [in] tough economic times." And Giuliani told the Post, "There are two big things in running a city: safety and security, and the other is economic stability. And on those two issues, Mike makes (the borough heads) very comfortable. These are practical people who want to make sure that the city has a really good mayor." more ›

After detailing how former governor Mario Cuomo is reluctant to sit for his governor's portrait, the NY Times takes a look at George Pataki's new governor's portrait. Painted by Andrew Lattimore at a cost of around $50,000 (not paid by the state but the former governor's campaign funds or PAC), Pataki is shown standing in front of the Hudson River, wearing a suit (he was initially going to wear jeans with a jacket and tie) and U.S. and NY State flag pins. Lattimore explained why he had Pataki looking "towards the sun... The light, the future, he’s looking towards the warmth and hope of what tomorrow can bring." The subject likes it, though Pataki hates one thing: "I look at the smile and go eww. I know it’s crooked all the time — not me — the smile.” As for whether Cuomo will ever sit for his painting, Pataki offered "governor-speak," "“I’m sure when he deems it appropriate, he’ll do it." more ›

The NY Sun, which announced its future was uncertain last week, has been racking up support from prominent people. Not only do Mario Cuomo and George Pataki sing the Sun's praises (Pataki says it's "the best paper in New York" while Cuomo said, "I like understanding from the op-eds and editorials the conservative view of things"), Eliot Spitzer gives his first public comments since his scandal: "The Sun has been a spectacular addition to the city's political discourse and is one of the finest papers in terms of editing, writing, and analysis that one can find anywhere." Mayor Bloomberg also weighed in, hoping the paper would receive funding to continue on. more ›

Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani's name is being mentioned again as a possible candidate for governor in 2010. While the earlier speculation and rumors were due to the nuttiness of Eliot Spitzer's resignation and current Governor David Paterson's confessions (dames, drugs), this time it's because Rudy's strategist Anthony Carbonetti may be in line to head the state GOP. more ›

• Today on the Gothamist Newsmap: a pedestrian struck on Broadway and 231st St. in the Bronx, an aircraft alert at JFK at Queens, and a person fatally struck by a train at 57th St. and 8th Ave. in Manhattan.
• Entries for the NYC Half-Marathon will start being accepted at 11:59pm on May 29th. Details.
• And the Design Trust for Public Space is accepting submissions for its Grand Army Plaza redesign competition.
• An Internal Affairs Bureau Lt. has been reassigned to a surveillance booth in a housing project after his friend allegedly raped a young woman in the apartment of the cop's girlfriend as she begged him to stop.
• The body of Rabbi Zev Segal, missing since yesterday morning, was found in his car, which apparently slid into the Hackensack River in NJ.
• The memorial for promoter-gossip Baird Jones is being held at Plumm, a venue he wasn't a huge fan of.
• A Gawker employee was shackled and thrown into the Tombs after drinking a beer-in-a-bag in the subway system.
• The carjacker of Mayor Bloomberg's personal car, which was in the possession of one of his aides, faces 15 years in the slammer for the crime.
• A lovely castle-like house in Flushing, Queens - turrets and Tudor details!
• Former Gov. George Pataki underwent emergency surgery this morning to relieve an intestinal blockage (he's had problems with this before!).
• And former Project Runway contestants Jeffrey Sebelia, Santino Rice and Kit Pistol watched Project Runway finale in LA amidst their young, adoring fans.

John McCain's Straight Talk Express headed into Manhattan today, taking him to Grand Central Terminal where he got the endorsement of former governor George Pataki. McCain, along with wife Cindy, appeared with Pataki, Alphonse D'Amato, Joseph Lieberman and Rudy Giuliani as the Republican candidate appears to be leading in many Super Tuesday polls over rivals Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee and Ron Paul. more ›

On The Square, by Ade in New York at flickr
• Today on the Gothamist Newsmap: shots fired by police at Blake and Vermont in Brooklyn, an escaped prisoner at East 112th St. and Madison Ave. in Manhattan, and a person under a train at Central Park West and 60th St. in Manhattan.
• Hassan Askari was invited to the State of the Union Address as the guest of Queens Congressman Rep. Joseph Crowley. Askari came to the aid of several Jewish people who were being attacked on the subway.
• A new Bronx courthouse is finally set to open, only three years behind schedule and $100 million over budget.

Even though speculation is running high/wistful on a Michael Bloomberg presidential candidacy (maybe because all the other confirmed candidates are boring - or reporters are bored of covering the other candidates), the Post resurrects a rumor from earlier this year: Bloomberg wanting to run for governor against Spitzer in 2010. Back in May, the Post claimed the Mayor had discussed running for governor on two occasions, but the Mayor said the reports were completely made... more ›

NY state officials are expected to release the draft scope for the Moynihan Station's environmental impact statement today, which the NY Sun calls the "Spitzer administration's first public display of forward progress" on the project. more ›

Okay, we give up. The whole Governor Spitzer-Senate Republican animosity thing has become totally and utterly insane. Someone left a crazy message for Spitzer's father, the wealthy (and 83-year-old) real estate developer Bernard Spitzer. And call has been traced to the apartment of a GOP adviser to State Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno!

This is a message for Bernard Spitzer. You will be subpoenaed to testify in front of the Senate committee on investigation on your shady campaign loans. You will be compelled by the Senate sergeant at arms, if you resist, you will be arrested and brought to Albany - and there's not a goddamn thing your phony, psycho piece of s--- son can do about it. Bernie, your phony loans are about to catch up with you. You will be forced to tell the truth. The fact that your son is a pathological liar will be known to all.

We were skimming 1010WINS when we saw this headline Spitzer Energy Adviser Resigns Amid Threat Investigation. What? An energy adviser was involved in the plot to discredit State Senator Joseph Bruno? But actually it's something nuttier:

Energy adviser Steven Mitnick confirms that he has resigned from his position in the Spitzer administration. more ›

A Harlem Assemblyman is so unhappy with Governor Spitzer that he's laying down what the Post calls Spitzer's "DEBUT DEM DISS." Keith Wright, who is a Democrat, told the Post, "He’s acting like a Democrat Giuliani - it’s either his way or no way. I’m not a big fan. I had a better relationship with [Republican former Gov.] George Pataki.” Ouch! That's a double diss - to bring up Giuliani AND to say Pataki was a better colleague. more ›

Governor Eliot Spitzer is cleaning house in Albany every which way. The latest thing to get the Steamroller Spruce Up? The state's I Love NY tourism campaign. Spitzer announced that advertising agency Saatchi & Saatchi would work on the campaign - and that the "I Love NY" logo would not change. more ›