Former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani appeared on CNN's American Morning today and admitted, in a roundabout fashion, that he's considering running for governor of New York in 2010. Giuliani said, "I don’t know if I am or if I’m not" entering the gubernatorial race, but disclosed that he's been thinking about it. Incumbent Gov. David Paterson has been polling poorly for some time and would likely lose to Giuliani in a general election. But if Paterson doesn't run, other Democratic contenders, such as Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, whose political heritage would serve him well, would be tougher competitors.
Your Gaggler would be interested to see what impact Rudy's spectacularly bad campaign for president would have in a New York state race, if any. I happen to think his aborted stab at the GOP nomination is one of the most underreported stories of the 2008 campaign, overshadowed by all things Obama. Back in 2006, Giuliani was widely considered a shoo-in for the nomination. He had national positive name recognition, a seemingly efficient fundraising machine, and an easily spun record of reform and achievement. His questionable personal choices seemed the only flaw in the plan (not that they'd ever seriously harmed his chances in New York City contests). But it never even got to that. His disastrous Florida strategy caused his campaign to flame out before his divorces, affair, and blasé approach to cross-dressing had a chance to be nationally litigated. In a matter of weeks, Giuliani went from being one of the most popular and recognizable figures in American politics to being in the company of the least successful presidential contenders in history. Will this embarrassment, and the poor political judgment it illustrates, matter to New Yorkers? Probably not. New Yorkers have never cared much for how the rest of the country judged their politicians. Maybe Rudy's lack of regard for the retail, handshake politics of small states like New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Iowa will even win him a few fans in the Empire State.
