ALBANY—The unveiling of his official portrait meant a day filled with Pataki praise ("You were green long before Vanity Fair had it on their first cover," Charles Gargano said) and nostalgia ("It is so pleasant to be in the Red Room and not have to be explaining budget cuts or legislative vetoes," Pataki joked), and the former governor was asked the inevitable question: Would he run for Senate against Kirsten Gillibrand, as has been rumored?

"I'm not going to speculate on questions that …" Pataki replied, in Pataki-ese, drawing laughs from the crowd of former administration officials, Republican and other elected officials and his family. "It would be premature to answer hypotheticals. This is not a day for politics. This is a day to recognize Governor Paterson for his graciousness and to thank the people of the state for the great privilege. Politics can wait."

Expect to hear more about this premature hypothetical in the coming weeks.

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