June 16, 2006

Pataki Counts His Lorax Before He Was Ready To Hatch

Earlier this week, aspiring presidential candidate Gov. George Pataki (R-NY) surprised Iowa Republicans by unveiling his state leadership team a year and a half before the Iowa caucuses. The three most influential names on the list: Ed Failor Jr., the head of Iowa's large taxpayer (business) advocacy group -- he served as the Bush Campaign's Victory 2004 director in the state. Then State Sen. Stew Iverson, a former majority leader. And Benton Co. chairman Loras Schutle, a longtime Republican kingmaker. Officially, these folks will help Pataki's 21st Century Freedom PAC help GOP candidates in '06. But everyone else realizes it's about '08.

Then came the heat. We hear that Failor's public move has angered many non-affiliated Iowans who wondered why he'd telegraph his presidential sentiments so early. And Schutle made it clear that he's not willing to be seen as a Pataki endorser.
In a letter sent to friends and allies and obtained by the Hotline, Schutle explained that he has not endorsed Pataki for president in '08.

From the e-mail

"I have had numerous emails about press reports regarding my involvement with Governor George Pataki's 21st Century Freedom PAC, so I've decided to do this mass email to clarify any misconceptions. First, my involvement in the PAC is not an endorsement of the Governor for President but it does reflect how seriously I take the job of helping to fund our 2006 candidates for the State House, particularly our new conservative first-time candidates that I and other conservatives have spent more than a year recruiting."

Schutle, the Benton Co. GOP chair, attached a Word document to the letter outlining his ideas for "pulling out all the stops to win in 2006." [MARC AMBINDER]

Posted at 11:54 AM

Comments

Post a comment