When you look back over the last several decades, the "frontrunner" for a presidential nomination almost never gets it: Dean, McCain, Bradley, Gore (in 88), Hart, Bush (in 80) and the list goes on. I guess it depends when you annoint the frontrunner.
Dole in 1995, Bush in 1999, Gore in 1999, Kerry in 2003 -- they were ALL frontrunners. Didn't hold leads the whole time, perhaps, but they were the favorites starting out.
Dean was only in front for a few months in late 2003, McCain was NEVER in front, Bradley may have led at some point.
Pataki's henchmen say that he needs to run and win in the Senate race to have a chance at the Presidential nod in '08.
Look, Geo. E. Pataki has been, for the last two terms, a horrible Governor. He is a worse Republican. He IS NO Republican. There isn't a Republican in this godforsaken heck hole of a State!!! When Michael Bloomberg and Joe Bruno can call themselves "Republicans" after the fiasco of 20 late budgets and grossly inflated State budgets along with Geo. E. Pataki is beyond comparison. Hillary will be reelected by 70-75 percent of the vote and will be nominated for President in '08 by the Demoncrats. I just pray that a great Republican from SOMEWHERE ELSE gets the nod so she will lose!