ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) -- Bowing to widespread criticism, as well as pressure from Texas Gov. George W. Bush, Gov. George Pataki says John McCain will be on New York's presidential primary ballot throughout the state.
McCain said today he was "pleased they came around" but would continue his federal lawsuit challenging the rules governing GOP primary ballots.Pataki, Bush's most powerful New York backer, had supported an effort led by state Republican Chairman William Powers to knock McCain off the ballot in much of New York.
But Pataki said Thursday, "John McCain should be on the ballot. This should be a campaign about ideas and issues, not technicalities. I'm confident that George Bush will win that campaign."