MINNEAPOLIS-- Former New York Gov. George Pataki began his speech to the New Hampshire delegation by remembering a former Granite State supporter.

"I can't think of New Hampshire without thinking about Mike Whalley," Pataki told delegates.

Whalley was the House Minority leader before his death in March. The Alton state representative was Pataki's before he decided not to run for the presidency. While exploring a presidential run Pataki opened an office for his political action committee in Manchester to help coordinate 2006 election efforts.

"New Hampshire maybe one of the most important states in this country," Pataki said.

Pataki argued that if voters see a swing state switch from the Democratic column to the Republican column it could give voters an incentive to vote for McCain.

Pataki spent a part of the speech applauding Gov. Sarah Palin's acceptance speech.

"What can you say about Sarah Palin? Not only did she hit the ball out of the park but she hit it into orbit," he said.

Pataki also said he watched U.S. Sen. Barack Obama's acceptance speech from Berlin, Germany.

"We don't need a citizen of the world as president of the United States we need an American hero," he said.

Berlin was the site of Obama's speech which McCain used in his popular "celebrity" ad.