CHENEY ADVISOR SIGNS ON WITH PATAKI CAMPAIGN

Here's one sure way to bolster a fledgling and already faltering presidential campaign - connect yourself with Dick Cheney.

Capitol Confidential, the political blog of the Albany Times Union, has a post today on the hiring of former Cheney aide Kara Ahern to run the fund-raising operation of George Pataki's PAC. Pataki, of course, fancies himself a candidate for president.

Meanwhile, the Wall Street Journal has a rather bleak assessment of Pataki's performance as New York's governor and his chances to attain the GOP presidential nomination.

McCAIN HIRES KEY EVANGELICAL IN IOWA

Hotline reports today the John McCain campaign has taken another step in firming up support with the evangelical community. Hotline says McCain has hired Marlys Pompa to be a part of his exploratory committee. Pompa is a former executive director of the Iowa GOP and a former president of Iowa Right to Life.

OBAMA STAFF MAPPING OUT CAMPAIGN

In the same posting, Hotline reports that Barack Obama's senior political advisors spent the week mapping out strategy for a presidential bid. Among those in the room was Obama's wife Michelle, who in the past, has expressed some concerns about her husband making a bid for the White House.

ROMNEY'S MORMON ISSUE OVERBLOWN, GOP STRATEGISTS SAY

A panel of Republican strategists seems to agree that Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney's Mormon religious background will not be a huge impediment to his expected presidential run. The panelists, at an event in Washington on Thursday, said for those following events closely the issue already is old hat. The rest of the electorate, the panelists concluded, will be more concerned about other matters.