N.Y. NOTES
PATAKI presidential fever continued to mount yesterday as a top New York Republican predicted the governor wouldn’t seek re-election in 2006 – so he can run for president two years later.
Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno said he expects the governor to leave office voluntarily when his term is up – and then spend the next two years seeking his party’s presidential nod.
“I don’t think he will run again,” Bruno said after a New York delegation breakfast in Pataki’s honor at the Sheraton New York.
“I think he is looking at the national picture . . . And I am speculating, if you will, that he won’t run for re-election and that he will step out” and run for president.
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Rudy Giuliani says he’s much more worried that terrorists will strike with biological or chemical weapons than bombs.
“There are many ways in which to attack our country, and the food chain is one that concerns me greatly,” Giuliani told delegates of farm states attending the Great American Farm Breakfast at the Marriott Marquis.
Contamination of the food chain also happens to be a big issue for Mississippi Sen. Thad Cochran, who officiated at the event and could prove an important Southern ally to any candidate seeking the Republican presidential nomination in 2008.
Giuliani also told the farm crowd that they have a lot in common with New York.
“New York state is one of our great agricultural states and that’s an hour, two hours’ drive from here. And a lot of these people who live here come from there . . . So we have a real understanding, a real empathy and real connection with you,” said Giuliani.
With contributions from David Seifman, Kenneth Lovett and Vincent Morris