Although New York Republicans haven't been competitive on the Presidential level for decades, they have still been able to mount respectable showings on both the Congressional and statewide levels. 2006 might be the breaking point for them, as two reports today indicate. First, Newsday's Dan Janison reports that New York City's "Republican" Mayor is edging towards endorsing Democrat Hillary Clinton in the Senatorial race.

Republican Mayor Michael Bloomberg hinted strongly Monday night he would endorse Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton next year for re-election -- aiming yet another Democrat-friendly signal at city voters.

"I think that I've said as many times as I could both Senator Schumer, the senior senator, and Hillary Clinton, the junior senator, have worked very hard and very effectively for New York City," he said.

[...]

Running in a mostly Democratic city, Bloomberg also declined to commit to Republican primary debates. Last week he distanced himself from the Republican party on the Terri Schiavo case, saying lawmakers shouldn't intervene.

Last year he endorsed Schumer for re-election.

The Republicans don't have a candidate to go up against Clinton yet, and even if they did, Mayor Bloomberg might not support him or her. NY GOPers have cause for concern on the gubernatorial level as well, as Fredric U. Dicker reports in the New York Post.

Gov. Pataki has decided not to seek another term next year and will concentrate instead on a bid for the vice-presidential nomination in 2008, a report last night said.

The New York 1 report — which cited unnamed "sources" saying the governor had told friends of his decision — was quickly denied by Pataki's chief spokesman, David Catalfamo.

"Claims that the governor has decided not to seek a fourth term are false," Catalfamo said.

Many leading Republicans, including Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno, have already predicted Pataki won't seek a fourth, four-year term next year, but the governor himself has indicated he wouldn't make an announcement until June.

Should the Democrats be able to take the statehouse and state legislature in 2006, watch for a possible mid-census redistricting effort in the state. It might not be the best decision in a policy sense, but the Republicans have left the Democrats with few alternatives.