Remember how close former New York Gov. George Pataki was to entering the presidential race earlier this week? Finally, a real candidate! But alas, he announced today that he will not run after all. Ugh. This cannot be happening.

Pataki, a moderate governor who's pretended to be fiscally conservative these last couple of years in order to raise money for his political action groups, will continue to spread his brand of Pataki Pride from the sidelines:

"I remain committed to the advancement of real, politically viable reforms to entitlements and rolling back the size and cost of the federal government," Pataki said in a statement. "At this time, I will continue to do this as the leader of No American Debt and not as a candidate for president."

Pataki said he would support the candidate "who offers the vision, the ideas and the leadership to bring an end to America's debt crisis."

Rumor has it that a major reason for Pataki's decision was a complete lack of interest in a Pataki candidacy among the American people, who elect presidents. At least we still have Thad McCotter as a fallback.

[Image via AP]