Okay, I'm trying to look for something positive on the political skyline and this is the best I can do today. And, it ain't too shabby.
George Patakis approval numbers are now at their lowest point since he was first elected governor. And, in a matchup with Spitzer for the 2006 governors race, Pataki trails Spitzer by 24 percentage points.
Story here
"Republican George
Pataki's job approval rating has sunk to 34 percent, the lowest of his 10 year-tenure as governor. and the first time it has dipped below 40 percent, an independent statewide poll reported Thursday.
His approval rating was 44 percent in a December poll from the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.
In a possible matchup for the 2006 governor's race, Pataki trails state Attorney General Eliot Spitzer, 54 percent to 30 percent, according to the new Quinnipiac poll of registered voters.
Pataki has not yet said if he will seek a fourth, four-year term. Democrat Spitzer, whose job approval rating in the poll was 61 percent, has said he will run for governor next year."
Pataki is still being coy about his options for next year, but this information should help him to decide on whether or not to seek re-election.
And, as has been mentioned before, New Yorks Republic Party doesn't have a very deep bench, so the longer Pataki farts around, the less likely they will be to field a real challenge to Spitzer should Georgie decline to run.
So, I'm feeling optimistic about our chances of taking back the Eagle Street mansion next year. Not cocky, mind you... but it's looking pretty good right now.