2010 NY-Gov: Gov. Paterson vs. Giuliani

[Sir Mohamed]

This was considered a potential matchup before both announced not to run. How do you think it actually would have turned out, had Gov. Paterson stayed in the race and faced Rudy Giuliani in the November election? Was Paterson really doomed given how easily Cuomo won?

[President Johnson]

For some reason Paterson was pretty unpopular in 2010, so that even Obama pushed him out of the race behind closed doors. Probably this would have been a close race given that Giuliani had a higher reputation at the time, although his failed 2008 presidential candidacy hurt him. I think Paterson would have edged out an underwhelming 52-46% victory or so.

[MATTROSE94]

Rudy Guliani very narrowly if I had to guess. Rudy Guliani would be easily re-elected in 2014 and might make another Presidential run in 2016 in this scenario as well. That might impact the 2016 Republican primaries by butterflying away Donald Trumps candidacy.