Rudy Weighs NY Governor Race

Less than two years after crashing and burning in the race for the White House, Rudy Giuliani is weighing another return to politics—as governor of New York. Last week Giuliani asked the state's GOP chairman to step aside, and the New York Times reports that he has discussed a possible run with Mike Bloomberg, his successor as NYC mayor. One reason for his interest: Giuliani's aides think he could beat David Paterson, the unpopular incumbent, in a walk.

Republicans are desperate for a strong candidate in next year's race, although it's still uncertain whether Giuliani will want to plunge into the notorious dysfunction of Albany state politics. Yet Pete King, a Republican House member, says that Giuliani "sees state government similar to where New York City was in 1993: out of control." The mere prospect of a Giuliani candidacy has shaken Democratic strategists, who are dreading a Paterson re-election bid.
(More Rudy Giuliani stories.)