George Pataki

Former New York Gov. George Pataki, moments after addressing N.J.'s GOP delegation at the Hilton.: Politicker photo 

MINNEAPOLIS - McCain as military protector provided the solemn motif former New York Gov. George Pataki used this morning to finally prompt a standing ovation from his New Jersey audience.

"There are no finer people in our country than those who put on the uniform for our country," said Pataki, and a pattering of hands started that grew steadily as the former governor added of McCain, "I pray he spends the next four years protecting our country."

Hitting another responsive chord in the crowd, Pataki told a story about a reporter - and there were some groans as he provided the setup - who asked him if the massive loss of oil in the Gulf as a consequence of Hurricane Gustav were not sufficient proof that America shouldn’t drill.

Among the small group of elite Republican fundraisers who met privately with Senator John McCain last Friday was former Port Authority Chairman Lewis Eisenberg, a Rumson resident who once served as Finance Chairman of the Republican National Committee. Eisenberg is close to two other potential presidential candidates -- former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani and New York Governor George Pataki -- and his presence at the McCain meeting could be interpreted as a sign that the prominent GOP fundraiser does not expect either Giuliani or Pataki to ultimately enter the race. One of McCain's fundraisers in Mark Miller, who worked for Eisenberg at the Republican Leadership Council.

One of the most sought after early endorsements of the 2008 presidential election is Lewis Eisenberg, a former Republican National Committee Finance Chairman and ex-Chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. As a major fundraiser in a state that traditionally pumps significant early money into national campaigns, Eisenberg is high an important guy to potential candidates. Insiders speculate that the likely front-runners in the "Eisenberg Primary" are former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani and New York Governor George Pataki; Eisenberg has close relations with both, although the 2004 Convention Committee he headed apparently knocked heads with Pataki's staff on numerous occasions.

Forrester for Change

Corzine for more of the same

On the last day before the gubernatorial election, Doug Forrester continued his Take Back New Jersey tour, joined by New York Governor George Pataki. Speaking with people in Iselin, Woodbridge, Ridgewood, New Brunswick, Westfield, Toms River, and Hamilton, Forrester reminded voters why he is running for governor.