What does George Pataki really want?

[Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

I think he has enough sense to know that he can't possibly win the nomination, so there must be something else he wants. I'll go with the fox news show and the higher name recognition for now.

[CountryClassSF]

Going with ability to attack someone he hates. Though, his entry into the race splits the moderate wing, so I'm all for it. Ultimately I don't think he will decide on a run. He's been out of politics for way too long

[Cryptic]

To be loved.

[Orthogonian Society Treasurer]

You to want him.

[BaconBacon96]

Publicity for his causes or a cable news show. Maybe even a Cabinet position if an establishment candidate wins the nomination.

[Donerail]

Sales of Pataki: An Autobiography have been on the decline for several years. A Presidential bid is just what it takes to revive them.

[136or142]

He's been wanting to run since at least 2008.  So, I'd guess he wants to be President.

There is a belief from some quarters that Republicans in 'Blue States' are more moderate, so if Pataki can survive the Southern State Primary block and if Kasich doesn't run, maybe he could do surprisingly well, particularly since most of those considered to be front runners are making some pretty major campaign blunders so far.

If Kasich does run though, I would expect Pataki to drop out before Iowa/New Hampshire.

[Fuzzy Bear]

Pataki probably hopes to be VP, and he may have a chance for that. 

I don't think he'd put NY in play.  He was smart enough not to run for a  agains4th term and lose a la Mario Cuomo.  I can't really see him winning a Senate race against Gillibrand in 2018. 

Pataki's pro-choice, so I don't see him actually being on the national ticket UNLESS the GOP wishes to further distance itself from its religious conservatives.  I think that may Republicans want to do that, but the makeup of the party at this point makes that impossible without spawning a third party designed to siphon votes from the GOP to force it's hand back to harmony with religious conservatives.

[YaBoyNY]

Going with ability to attack someone he hates. Though, his entry into the race splits the moderate wing, so I'm all for it. Ultimately I don't think he will decide on a run. He's been out of politics for way too long

You want the Republicans to lose, huh?

[Mister Mets]

I think he wants higher name recognition. That'll raise his speech fees, and make him more likely to appear on the news as an analyst, whenever the media needs a moderate Republican former officeholder.

He's unlikely to be selected as anyone's running mate, although a higher profile could get people talking about him in a cabinet position.

[Suburbia]

He wants to be President in my opinion. I think he has dreamed of being president for his entire life. He may want to be VP for a more conservative nominee, like a Walker or Rubio. He's experienced. He was governor during 9/11. He knows the world. Walker does not.

[Likely Voter]

The reason he is running is the same reason as Christine Todd Whitman wrote "It's My Party Too." He sees the likes of Carson, Cruz, Santorum, Huckabee and others in the race and thinks someone should stick up for the 'Rockefeller Republicans' who want to make the party more like conservative parties in the UK and Canada (more inclusive and secular). I think David Frum's recent essay What Republicans Can Learn From British Conservatives articulates what Pataki (and to some extent others like Kasich) hope for the future of the GOP. 

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

George Pataki wants some more attention before inevitably slipping into senility.

[Samantha]

My guess is that he's bored and has more money than he knows what to do with... Maybe a bit of sour grapes from 2008 when nobody took him serious as a contender like they did Giuliani.