Wait, I’ve Got An Idea . . .

His real goal emerges:

Former US Sen. Alfonse D’Amato, a Republican who all but endorsed Democratic Gov. Spitzer in 2006, yesterday backed Mayor Bloomberg for the state’s top job in 2010.

D’Amato offered his strong endorsement of the mayor at a private Republican gathering honoring Sen. Dean Skelos (R-Nassau) at the Woodmere Country Club on Long Island where Bloomberg was present.

“D’Amato said, ‘This is the person who would put the interests of the people of New York first and that’s what we need, instead of the same old tired politics, instead of people who promise change but engage in the same old partisanship,'” said a prominent Republican who attended the event.

“D’Amato said flatly, ‘Bloomberg should run for governor,'” the source continued.

The suggestion was greeted by loud applause.

. . .

“The mayor said something like, ‘Read my lips. I’m not running for governor,’ and everybody laughed,” the source recalled.