Adding to the clutter of hats thrown into the ring for the Republican Presidential nomination, George Pataki, in his inimitable awkward style, has put forward his name to the seemingly malignant list. So if you can’t find your dream candidate in Ted Cruz, Rand Paul, Mike Huckabee, Marco Rubio, Carly Fiorina, Ben Carson, or Rick Santorum; then maybe George Pataki is just what you’ve been waiting for; and if that’s the case, then your last name is probably Pataki, or George signs your paychecks. Of course there’s still the likely contenders to reckon with; Jeb Bush, Scott Walker, Chris Christie, Rick Perry, Lindsey Graham, Bobby Jindal, and John Kasich… about the only Republican we know isn’t running is Mitt Romney, and he could always change his mind. Me, I’m waiting for the “Rent is too damn high” guy from the NewYork Democratic gubernatorial primary to take a crack at the Presidency, I hear he’s a registered Republican now…when’s the last time we had a president with a beard that cool?
I don’t begrudge anyone the opportunity to chase their dream, but that dream, if you’re running for President, ought to be actually hoping to become the President, not some other agenda that involves using the race to elevate your ego or job prospects. When Pat Paulsen, the comedian, repeatedly ran for President in the sixties, everyone knew it was a gag, and didn’t feel the need to include him in debates or cover his run on the evening news. Then we had a spate of candidates like Jesse Jackson who ran not to win, but to have their views aired, and their support coveted. Now we have so-called candidates looking for talk shows on Fox News, or positions at prestigious law firms, or just raising their visibility for the future, by running for President, knowing they have no chance of winning. Worst of all are the narcissists who run, or tease at running, just so people don’t forget who they are… “Look at me! Look at me!”… how else do you explain Donald Trump… or Lindsay Graham?
Pataki has long wanted to run for President, but the timing just never seemed right, or maybe it was Pataki who never seemed right. It is likely that he looked at the long list of candidates and the fragmented electorate and figured it was now or never, “Why not me?” Someone should have told him why not. With the addition of Pataki we at least have an example of what a true RINO looks like, and it should serve as an admonition against using the term loosely for passable candidates who lean a little establishment. As voters though, and as consumers of the media, we need to learn to be dismissive of these frivolous campaigns, and demonstrate a collective yawn.
IMHO: The fragmentation of the GOP electorate eventually will lead to a “last man standing” candidate, much in the same way Romney wound up with the nomination last time around. In free for alls, the establishment candidate usually winds up being the most durable, as the outsiders devour each other. It will be to the Republican’s advantage if one or two candidates rise to the top quickly so fences can be mended and sideshows silenced. Otherwise Republicans will be viewed as not ready for prime time. If there are multiple debates with multiple pretenders to the throne, Hillary will quietly enjoy the spectacle and begin choosing drapes for her return to the Whitehouse.
