NY Daily News reported Pataki's attack on Clinton, omitted Dem response

Summary: The New York Daily News reported New York Gov. George Pataki's recent criticism of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton as "one of the most polarizing personalities in American politics" but did not include any response from the Clinton camp.

An August 21 New York Daily News article reported New York Gov. George Pataki's (R) recent criticism of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY), including his assertion that her reputation as "one of the most polarizing personalities in American politics" is justified and his claim that "she has focused more on the negative and on attacking, as opposed to coming up with any positive solutions." But absent from the article was any response from the Clinton camp. By contrast, an August 21 New York Post article on the subject quoted Clinton spokesman Howard Wolfson pointing out that Pataki had previously "praised Sen. Clinton for working in a bipartisan way and delivering for New York."

From the August 21 article by Daily News staff writer Michael McAuliff, headlined "Hil tops Dem poll, gov unimpressed":

A new survey says Sen. Hillary Clinton remains the top Democratic contender for 2008, but Gov. Pataki - another New Yorker with visions of the presidency - blasts her as too divisive.

"Sen. Clinton [D-N.Y.] is one of the most polarizing personalities in American politics, and I think it's with some justification," Pataki said over the weekend in New Hampshire, where he was testing the waters for a White House run.

"I fear that Sen. Clinton has focused more on the negative and on attacking, as opposed to coming up with any positive solutions," Pataki told the Concord Monitor.

"In fact, as I sit here I can't think of something where she's said, 'Let's do this together. Let's set this as a positive agenda.' It's been more from the outside criticizing," he said.

While McAuliff noted that Clinton "has made headlines since she was elected in 2000 by cozying up to Republicans ... on issues important to her," the article included no Democratic response to Pataki's criticism. The August 21 Post article, meanwhile, reported Pataki's "searing comments," but went on to note Wolfson's rebuttal:

Pataki's comments came as he tried to boost his name recognition nationwide to win the support of Republican loyalists in presidential battleground states like New Hampshire.

Asked about Pataki's searing comments, Clinton campaign spokesman Howard Wolfson responded, "It sounds like Gov. Pataki is having an argument with himself. He has praised Sen. Clinton for working in a bipartisan way and delivering for New York, as have other leading New York Republicans."

Indeed, Pataki has repeatedly commended Clinton for her cooperation on various issues. For instance, at an August 29, 2005, rally celebrating the Base Realignment and Closing Commission's decision to keep open the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, Pataki thanked Clinton and her staff for their efforts in Washington:

PATAKI: And when those last decisions were being made and we had to challenge the assumptions -- we had to go after the figures -- I can tell you that Senator Clinton and her staff were there working night and day helping us to get the message across. And Senator, thank you.

Similarly, when defense contractor Scienx announced its decision in 2002 to open a new facility in upstate New York, Pataki complimented Clinton's "aggressiveness" and said she had done "a great, great job" in helping to lure the company to the state. From a November 1, 2002, New York Post article:

At a press conference, Pataki thanked Clinton "for her aggressiveness" and doing a "great, great job" in getting the Georgia-based company to bring 500 jobs upstate.

Clinton returned the compliment, saying: "I appreciate greatly the governor's strong support and tireless efforts in making this happen."

—J.K.