The curtain may be closing on George Pataki’s reign as governor of the Empire State, but rest assured this is not the last that we will see of him. He has greater aspirations, his sights set on becoming President of the United States. Pataki has been pursuing this dream for quite some time and has made his intentions known, sometimes rather discreetly and other times quite boldly.

Throughout his last term he had dropped numerous hints, none subtler than January’s state of the state address. Rather than being the typical gubernatorial where-we-have-been and where-we-are-going harangue, his speech was by no means specific to New York. It was, instead, as if his speech was directed at a national audience. All of the subjects he touched upon were "big picture" items – education, global competitiveness, national defense, and energy – that were more befitting of a federal view. Through such a venue he didn’t outright declare his intent to run for the presidency, but it was obvious that he was using the Albany pulpit for personal gain.

As subliminal as his message may have been at the time, a recent development was the complete opposite. Pataki made a very clear statement when, in September, he became the first politician to open a campaign office in Iowa in preparation for the 2008 presidential campaign. Iowa’s caucus has been a great barometer for determining who will be selected by a political party at its national convention. So, by pressing the flesh early and often in this key state, he is positioning himself as the Republican to beat.

To the uninitiated throughout the US, Pataki’s machinations might have some effect. But, those who have lived under Pataki rule know too well that Pataki brings nothing to the table in terms of presidential value. His track record has shown that he does not possesses any of the leadership traits, economic knowledge, and understanding of governance required by one who would theoretically be the most powerful man in the world.

The most important requirement of being a great president is the ability to exercise the qualities of highly-effective leadership. History has shown that the US has struggled and national pride has waned under presidents who have been lacking in these skills. Pataki would only continue to prove such history. While as governor he has been an extremely poor leader, far too soft-spoken and reclusive, rarely seen or heard. He has been more or less a shut-in protected by his circle of advisors and those who speak for him.

This lack of a compelling presence and ability to connect with people is best exemplified by what occurred around September 11, 2001. Pataki offered only token appearances and said little amidst and after the chaos. While a few politicians – George W Bush, Rudy Giuliani, and Hillary Clinton – shined in the chaos, offering comfort and support to hurt and scared New Yorkers, Pataki was either nowhere to be found or hidden in the background as a face, nothing more and nothing less. Pataki did not lead in that defining moment when his people needed him the most.

He definitely did not lead in the day-to-day of governorship. He teamed with Joe Bruno and Sheldon Silver to make a devious three-headed monster that controlled the senate and assembly and catered-to and worsened the big government mentality that is so pervasive in New York. Under his watch, taxes increased every year, the piece de resistance being this year’s budget, marred by an increase in spending that was three times the rate of inflation…the largest increase in three decades.

Pataki’s tax-heavy regime and lack of attention to making NY business-friendly (especially towards the globally competitive manufacturing sector) has slowly but surely killed the state’s economy. Good-paying, long-term blue-collar jobs are difficult to find in Upstate as countless thousands of firms have either shrunk or closed their doors due to the state’s costly business environment. This has led to a mass exodus of residents out of New York, which consistently ranks amongst the very worst in terms of lost residents.

Basically, the once mighty Empire State has floundered pitifully under Pataki’s watch. Despite his aspirations and self-promotion, his actions – or lack thereof - have proved time and time again that he is not the sort of man who could adequately lead our nation. Simply put, George Pataki is not presidential material. Let us hope that the rest of America recognizes this fact well before 2008.