Why isn't Pataki Doing Better?

[Free Bird]

He's been out of office just as long as Jeb, was a popular governor in a major blue state which can proves he can attract bipartisan support, and did a pretty good job there. On paper, he should be a serious contender, but he's doing barely better than the likes of Gilmore. Why not?

[HagridOfTheDeep]

Because he's not a racist, anti-intellectual, over-zealously religious scumbag. And that's the GOP electorate.

[Abraham Reagan]

Well just think of Pataki as a living example of what Jeb's campaign would be like if his last name weren't Bush.

[Blue3]

He's pro-choice.

And yes, Jeb would be doing the same as Pataki and Gilmore if it wasn't for his family.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

He was never going to go anywhere. I called this in 2006. Note the comment is sarcastic.

https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=50538.msg1075061#msg1075061

[/]

He's pro-choice.

As are 22% or Republicans...

[Amenhotep Bakari-Sellers]

Because the days of Guiliani and Pataki days following 911 heroism is over.

The TEA Party apparatus want a conservative nominated; since 2010; not someone squishy on abortions and public funding.

[TheElectoralBoobyPrize]

I'm not a Jeb supporter (yet), but I think people are being unfair saying he'd be where Pataki is if not for his last name. A couple of differences...

1. Jeb comes from a state that's winnable for the GOP....Pataki doesn't.

2. While Jeb may have his issues with the base, Pataki's pretty much the most liberal (looking at his overall record, not his current views) candidate in the race of either tier.

3. Jeb didn't run in '08 or '12 because his brother's presidency was still too recent. Pataki's doesn't have that excuse.

4. Jeb has stayed in the public eye...Pataki really hasn't.

5. Have you seen Pataki speak? More than anyone else in the second-tier debate, I just wanted him to go away.

[Amenhotep Bakari-Sellers]

FL have anout the same percent of Blks as OH does, and dems have done very well in the state outside of the Cuban vote.

But, Jeb or Kasich are electable; Trump & Pataki arent

[dudeabides]

I'm not a Jeb supporter (yet), but I think people are being unfair saying he'd be where Pataki is if not for his last name. A couple of differences...

1. Jeb comes from a state that's winnable for the GOP....Pataki doesn't.

2. While Jeb may have his issues with the base, Pataki's pretty much the most liberal (looking at his overall record, not his current views) candidate in the race of either tier.

3. Jeb didn't run in '08 or '12 because his brother's presidency was still too recent. Pataki's doesn't have that excuse.

4. Jeb has stayed in the public eye...Pataki really hasn't.

5. Have you seen Pataki speak? More than anyone else in the second-tier debate, I just wanted him to go away.

Agreed.

I'd add one more thing. Jeb Bush has a Florida record to run on, George Pataki's record in New York was mixed, though he deserves credit for getting some things done in a blue state. However, when people think New York politician, they think Rudy Giuliani before George Pataki. The Mayor of New York City sometimes gets more attention than the Governor, and I think the Giuliani Vs. Pataki rivalry and now the DeBlasio Vs. Cuomo rivalry is a testament to that. When George Pataki tells voters he reduced crime, he deserves some credit, but let's remember it was Rudy Giuliani who cleaned up New York City with his anti-crime policies, that accounted for many, probably most, of the crimes occurring in New York City before the 1990s.

[pho]

Honestly, he would probably have small base of support, maybe 5%, if he were running as the centrist Republican he is. Moderate Republicans who pretend to be as conservative as everyone else on the stage usually go down in flames (or in Pataki's case, combust on the runway).

[Torie]

Because he does not stand out from the crowd. And nobody knows who he is, except some old people in NY.

[🦀🎂🦀🎂]

Because he does not stand out from the crowd.

Guys Almost two metres tall, stands out to me.

[Crumpets]

Honestly, he would probably have small base of support, maybe 5%, if he were running as the centrist Republican he is. Moderate Republicans who pretend to be as conservative as everyone else om the stage usually go down in flames (or in Pataki's case, combust on the runway).

This. His only unique strengths were crossover appeal and electability. By pretending to be right-wing, he's only alienating the people most likely to vote for him, while not winning over any base Republicans who know his record.

[100% pro-life no matter what]

He's pro-choice.

[Figueira]

I would at least expect him to be doing well among Atlas moderates.

[Horsemask]

I like Pataki but I think in general he's probably too moderate for much of the base. Having 16 other "major" candidates doesn't help, either.

[Vega]

Well just think of Pataki as a living example of what Jeb's campaign would be like if his last name weren't Bush.

This hits the nail on the head.

[King]

It's 2015.

[ElectionsGuy]

Because he's not a racist, anti-intellectual, over-zealously religious scumbag. And that's the GOP electorate.

Weren't you a Republican at one point?

[Fuzzy Bear Loves Christian Missionaries]

I'm not a Jeb supporter (yet), but I think people are being unfair saying he'd be where Pataki is if not for his last name. A couple of differences...

1. Jeb comes from a state that's winnable for the GOP....Pataki doesn't.

2. While Jeb may have his issues with the base, Pataki's pretty much the most liberal (looking at his overall record, not his current views) candidate in the race of either tier.

3. Jeb didn't run in '08 or '12 because his brother's presidency was still too recent. Pataki's doesn't have that excuse.

4. Jeb has stayed in the public eye...Pataki really hasn't.

5. Have you seen Pataki speak? More than anyone else in the second-tier debate, I just wanted him to go away.

Agreed.

I'd add one more thing. Jeb Bush has a Florida record to run on, George Pataki's record in New York was mixed, though he deserves credit for getting some things done in a blue state. However, when people think New York politician, they think Rudy Giuliani before George Pataki. The Mayor of New York City sometimes gets more attention than the Governor, and I think the Giuliani Vs. Pataki rivalry and now the DeBlasio Vs. Cuomo rivalry is a testament to that. When George Pataki tells voters he reduced crime, he deserves some credit, but let's remember it was Rudy Giuliani who cleaned up New York City with his anti-crime policies, that accounted for many, probably most, of the crimes occurring in New York City before the 1990s.

Jeb Bush's record to run on in FL isn't any more great shakes than the record of Pataki, or George Voinovich, or John Kasich (who is light-years ahead of Jeb in actual qualifications for the Presidency). 

[andrew_c]

He's too liberal to do well in a Republican primary.

[EliteLX]

Because he's not a racist, anti-intellectual, over-zealously religious scumbag. And that's the GOP electorate.

And now for the real answer that isn't complete biased butthurt bullsh**t..

Because Pataki had little name recognition, has the character/charisma of a lawnmower, and is not noted for standing any big fights for a politically right leaning cause.

[dudeabides]

I'm not a Jeb supporter (yet), but I think people are being unfair saying he'd be where Pataki is if not for his last name. A couple of differences...

1. Jeb comes from a state that's winnable for the GOP....Pataki doesn't.

2. While Jeb may have his issues with the base, Pataki's pretty much the most liberal (looking at his overall record, not his current views) candidate in the race of either tier.

3. Jeb didn't run in '08 or '12 because his brother's presidency was still too recent. Pataki's doesn't have that excuse.

4. Jeb has stayed in the public eye...Pataki really hasn't.

5. Have you seen Pataki speak? More than anyone else in the second-tier debate, I just wanted him to go away.

Agreed.

I'd add one more thing. Jeb Bush has a Florida record to run on, George Pataki's record in New York was mixed, though he deserves credit for getting some things done in a blue state. However, when people think New York politician, they think Rudy Giuliani before George Pataki. The Mayor of New York City sometimes gets more attention than the Governor, and I think the Giuliani Vs. Pataki rivalry and now the DeBlasio Vs. Cuomo rivalry is a testament to that. When George Pataki tells voters he reduced crime, he deserves some credit, but let's remember it was Rudy Giuliani who cleaned up New York City with his anti-crime policies, that accounted for many, probably most, of the crimes occurring in New York City before the 1990s.

Jeb Bush's record to run on in FL isn't any more great shakes than the record of Pataki, or George Voinovich, or John Kasich (who is light-years ahead of Jeb in actual qualifications for the Presidency). 

Jeb Bush has a great record in Florida. See Heritage Foundation, Club for Growth, his home state papers etc. The bottom line: If you care about less regulation, lower taxes, school choice, smaller government, defending the second amendment, the pro-life position, and growth in jobs & incomes, Jeb Bush was one of the best Governors this nation has seen in recent times.

Jeb Bush and John Kasich were both Governors, but I'll take the businessman before the 18 year veteran of congress to be President in terms of qualifications.