He has a lot of convincing to do.
Former state Democratic Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith’s potential bid to run for mayor on the Republican line provoked swift resistance and outright opposition from the city’s stunned GOP leaders yesterday.
“I didn’t know today was April Fools,” quipped Manhattan Republican Party Chairman Dan Isaac.
Smith, a Queens state senator who expects to remain a Democrat, would need the support of at least three of the city’s five county Republican leaders to run on the GOP line for mayor next year.
But he got a thumbs down from the GOP boss in his home borough.
“One of the things we ask candidates is, ‘Have you ever done anything that would embarrass yourself or the Republican Party?’ I don’t think Senator Smith can pass that test,” Phil Ragusa said.
Ragusa was referring to Smith’s baggage — including getting ousted as the Senate Democratic leader after a brief but stormy tenure, and his ties to a shady nonprofit and an Aqueduct casino bid-rigging scandal.
Brooklyn GOP leader Craig Eaton said Republicans are looking for an alternative to the left-leaning Democratic field of candidates. But he said Smith, while more acceptable on some issues than other Democrats, isn’t the answer.
“I would never be interested in having him on the line,” Eaton said.
Staten Island GOP Chairman Bob Scarmardella said it would take “a lot of convincing” and take a “huge leap” to back Smith.
The GOP leaders said other candidates they’ve met with include business mogul John Catsimatides and Manhattan newspaper publisher Tom Allon.
Told of the criticism, Smith said he plans to meet personally with the five county Republican leaders — who first read of the senator’s interest in yesterday’s Post.
“Their support is paramount to making my candidacy happen. I don’t mind being an underdog,” he said.
Smith already has a slogan at the ready: “From the Community, For The City.”
Meanwhile, the Democratic mayoral hopefuls treated Smith’s candidacy as a joke.
Former city Comptroller Bill Thompson gave out a hearty laugh when asked about a potential Smith challenge before saying, “No comment. I have nothing to say.”
Meanwhile Mayor Bloomberg said he had nothing to do with Smith’s mayoral musings. “He’s not spoken to Senator Smith about any of this,” said mayoral spokesman Stu Loeser.
Another hurdle Smith faces is raising millions of dollars in campaign funds.
Additional reporting by David Seifman