ALBANY – Former Governor George Pataki told the New York State Conservative Party’s annual political action conference in Albany Monday that conservatives make the difference, not only in fiscal policy, but in fighting crime.

Pataki said the Republican Party, with the support of Conservatives, must defeat Democratic President Barak Obama in the fall. He would not back one particular candidate, though.

“I think the weakest Republican candidate would be a dramatic improvement over this president,” Pataki said.

Former Congressman Rick Lazio, who ran unsoccessfully for governor and US Senate, told the Conservative Party members that he supports Mitt Romney as the GOP candidate for president.

“I think he has the experience and management skills, I think he’s got the standing, I think he’s got the morality to lead the nation,” Lazio said. “That’s what I am looking for, someone who is smart and will be a great manager. The job is to run the biggest enterprise in the world. It would be nice to have someone who has management skills for a change.”

Pataki, meanwhile, called Obamacare “the single worst law passed during my lifetime. Until we repeal Obama, we’re not going to be able to repeal Obamacare.”

The former governor and now Garrison resident would not comment on the current state administration, saying it is his policy not to do so.