I agree.
I expected to see the usual Lazio naysayers crop up on this thread. But those of us who actually know Rick Lazio and/or have volunteered for him, or who have heard him speak numerous times know better.
I agree he ran a lousy campaign in 2000, and made some key mistakes (underestimating the Upstate voters was one), but he got into the race rather late after Rudy bowed out, which didn't help. And even with all the money he collected (from very concerned anti-Hillary conservatives from all over the country), he was still David going up against the Goliath of the formidable Hillary Machine.
His "political pundit" appearances on Fox News have been very good, IMO. I think he'll probably be successful in his plans to become a commentator on business and political issues.