Politics on the Hudson

The message coming from John McCain’s press conference at Grand Central Terminal today was not only that he has the support of New York’s top Republicans, but that he was the only candidate left in the field who can help the New York GOP in November.

Former Gov. George Pataki, who endorsed McCain at the press conference, and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani both stressed the Arizona senator’s ability to attract independent voters as a key reason why they were supporting him for president.

“He has proven his appeal to Republicans, to Conservatives, to independents, to Democrats, and that’s how you win in New York, ” Pataki told reporters afterward. “Senator McCain could win New York.”

Pataki’s endorsement of McCain represented a re-emergence of sorts for the Garrison Republican, who has largely kept out of the public spotlight since leaving office. He said he waited to make an endorsement out of respect for Giulliani.

“We did a lot of good things together for the city and the state,” Pataki said of Giuliani. “I certainly out of respect for him didn’t intend, never intended, to endorse a candidate while he was in the race.”

Pataki, however, sidestepped a question on whether he would have backed Giuliani had he not dropped out of the race.

“I was waiting until the campaigns evolved and its a moot question now,” Pataki said.

Pataki also said McCain’s criticism during the 2000 presidential campaign — he once referred to the governor as “Comrade Pataki” because he opposed McCain’s attempt to get on the state’s primary ballot that year — has been forgotten.

“We’ve worked well together since that time,” Pataki said of McCain.

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