AUBURN – If doubt lingered, put it to rest.

“The curse is dead,” declared New York Gov. George Pataki Sunday night during a celebration not of baseball and Babe Ruth, but of all things Republican.

“After 86 years, it’s time,” Pataki told a barn filled with GOP faithful rallying to get out the vote 48 hours before Election Day. “Congratulations to the Red Sox,” he added.

Make no bones about it. Pataki said later that he “rooted for the Yankees.”

However, once the Bronx bombers were no longer in the world championship chase, the governor mustered a bit of sympathy for long-suffering Red Sox fans.

Repeating – or rubbing in – “After 86 years,” Pataki said, “you can’t help but be happy for their fans.”

Now if he could only do something about that headless guy riding around on a horse in Sleepy Hollow, N.Y.

– Doug Fletcher