Assuming the reports we’re seeing in the New York media and a couple of calls to state party leaders this morning, I need to start this article off with an admission which is fairly rare among both politicians and political pundits:

I was wrong.

I had been operating on the assumption that former New York Governor George Pataki was teasing the media with the idea of a presidential bid because, like many other New York businessmen who come from the political world, it was good for business. But such talk generally fades away fairly quickly. Going the full distance to establishing a campaign and declaring your candidacy – along with all of the other FEC and tax complications that raises – takes it to another level. And the predictions currently are that George is doing exactly that.

Ignoring the polls and pundits, former New York Gov. George Pataki plans to announce Thursday that he’s joining the crowded Republican field for president.

The three-term governor will unveil his candidacy in Exeter, N.H. — which claims the birthplace of the Republican Party — and join a group of contenders who are inching toward the 20 mark.

Skeptics abound about Pataki’s chances.

He doesn’t register on national polls and has been out of elected office for nearly a decade.

“I just don’t see where he could win,” GOP consultant Ed Rollins told The Post. “I’m not sure he could win in New York anymore.”

But Pataki says he’s undeterred by the odds.

To make sure we cover the disclosure part of this, I’ve spent some time (briefly) on the campaign trail with Governor Pataki. He was a huge help to one congressional campaign I worked on. I consider him a great man who cares deeply about New York and his country. He was a fine governor for the Empire State. But by the same token, I’m still not sure where he fits in the mix for this campaign.

On one hand, you could argue that he’s in pretty much the same lane as Chris Christie (without the Sit Down and Shut Up factor) and the New Jersey Governor is rather injured electorally at this point. But he’s also running at least somewhat close to the segment of the race that Jeb Bush is in, and Bush has a massive fundraising lead. Also, as a northeast Republican, some of his conservative bona fides will be immediately questioned by the base.

But he’s a strong speaker on the stump with a ton of experience, and in hand to hand, retail politics he’s hard to beat. When you meet Governor Pataki and look him in the eye, you realize that he’s a 100% real person who can relate to the needs of the people he serves. That’s how he did so well in a blue state. (One of only a couple Republican governors to serve here.) And now it looks as if he’ll actually be getting into the race. I, for one, will give him a look. And given how many folks are already lining up for a spot at the podium, what’s the harm in one more?