The New York Post has obtained secretly recorded conversations of New York Gov. George Pataki, former Republican Sen. Alfonse D’Amato, and Tom Doherty; the once chief scheduler and patronage guru for Pataki who's now involved in the Pataki-connected consulting firm Mercury Public Affairs.

The most egregious thing that the tapes reveal is “patronage hiring” for key positions. But the type of language used, and the selfish tirades of Gov Pataki’s wife (due to her lack of photographed publicity and many “small scale” event commitments), will make Pataki, and Republicans in general a tough sell in the upcoming elections.

The tapes were delivered anonymously, Tom Doherty is the only member present in all conversations.