Because most of the GOP didn't want to run in an Obama reelect. Thought 2016 would be an easier shot to take on Hilary, but GOP is finding out, due to another economic growth, its still tough to win WH.
You guys are a little too overconfident. Obama was re-elected (by far less than his original election) before Obamacare fully kicked in, before the Ferguson and Black Lives Matter stuff began alienating even more white voters, before ISIS existed. The world has changed. Who knows what type of electorate we are looking at.
Regardless of your views on whether the 2016 election is more winnable for Republicans, Pataki's chances remain the same, zero.