Elmont Online

ALBANY -- Former Gov. George Pataki's presidential ambitions -- if they ever really existed -- are on hold for at least four more years: After a week of speculation, the three-term governor announced Friday that he won't be entering the Republican field for 2012.

The statement was released through No American Debt, the political organization where Pataki serves as honorary chairman.

The group advocates for a greater focus on budget reduction, including cuts to entitlements and the military.

"I remain committed to the advancement of real, politically viable reforms to entitlements and rolling back the size and cost of the federal government," Pataki said in the statement. "At this time, I will continue to do this as the leader of No American Debt and not as a candidate for president.

Throughout the coming months I will remain active in this important discussion and support the candidate who offers the vision, the ideas and the leadership to bring an end to America's debt crisis."

Pataki has cancelled a scheduled trip to Iowa on Saturday to appear at a GOP fundraiser.

The prospect of a Pataki candidacy appeared to be closer to reality earlier in the week, when the governor's former communications director, David Catalfamo, let reporters know the former governor was "seriously considering" jumping in, both from frustration over Obama's policies and "the lack of real solutions being offered by the current Republican field of candidates."

Pataki's path to victory seemed rocky: former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney appears to have sewn up the slot for an ex-blue-state executive, and Pataki's support for abortion rights would put him to the left of almost every other member of the Republican field.

It's unclear whether he would even have the support of many New York Republicans, many of whom view Pataki's tenure as a lackluster period where the party failed to develop a next generation of leaders. As a result, Republicans do not hold a single statewide office.

Pataki has been mentioned as a contender for other contests, including president in 2008 and the U.S. Senate in 2010. He did not run in either races.

Reach Seiler at 454-5619 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .