Pataki will be joined by Texas Congressman Ron Paul, Michigan Congressman Thaddeus McCotter, and Texas Governor Rick Perry.
So the million dollar question – who is hurt the most by Pataki getting into the race? I don’t see Pataki hurting Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, former Senator Rick Santorum or Paul. I can see him pulling from former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney’s base though. Which that will certainly help Bachmann and possibly Perry. I don’t see his candidacy going anywhere, but it could definitely put a kink in Romney’s campaign plans.
There isn’t any evidence that playing to moderates will be a winning strategy, and there is really only room for one establishment candidate in the race. So I hope he stays in and splits the vote.