[ laughter ] reporter: he was considered a favorite for the democratic nomination in 1988 and 1992, but in both cases he demured. his seeming inability to decide on higher office frustrated democratic party faithful and became something of a punchline in itself. and mario cuomo, no one knows what he s going to do. i don t know if you ve seen his new public service commercial for new york city, a mind is a terrible thing to make up. yes. reporter: he said it wasn t indesaiiveness that kept him in new york instead of washington, it was his commitment to the state. it has nothing to do with my chances. it has everything to do with my job as governor and i don t see that i can do both, therefore, i will not pursue the presidency. reporter: he said it was that same commitment that led him to pass on a nomination to the supreme court, deciding instead to run for a fourth term as governor, but 12 years was enough for new york. he was defeated by george pataki in the republican revol