By Tom Deignan

WILL the next Irish American to run for mayor of New York City be named Vito?

Believe it or not this is a possibility.

Of course, Mayor Mike Bloomberg just won reelection to City Hall. But observers are already talking openly about who will be running for mayor in 2009, when Bloomberg will have to step aside because of term limits.

On the Democratic side of the aisle, the term “usual suspects” comes to mind when you look at who might run for City Hall. There’s Comptroller Bill Thompson, Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion, Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum and Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz.

Looking over this cast of bland characters, it’s not hard to see why Democrats have lost the last three mayoral elections in New York City. This even though Democrats outnumber Republicans nearly 5-1 when it comes to registered voters.

Things are a lot more interesting when you look at the Republican side. And the two best-known potential GOP candidates have substantial Irish backgrounds.

They are Police Commissioner Ray Kelly and Brooklyn/Staten Island Congressman Vito Fossella.

No, I’m not kidding.

Of course, I wouldn’t hold my breath waiting for Fossella to, say, serve as grand marshal for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Nevertheless, Fossella comes from a storied political dynasty which began as an Irish Democratic family. Fossella’s great grandfather was longtime Congressman James O’Leary. He represented Staten Island in Washington during the 1930s and 1940s and was one of many Irish Americans who strongly supported Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s groundbreaking New Deal programs.

In a hearing on Social Security last year, Fossella (who himself is a conservative Republican) said, “My great grandfather, Congressman James O’Leary ... voted to create Social Security. Today I am prepared to carry on his work by working with Democrats and Republicans to find common ground that will allow our generation to renew the sacred covenant.”

Sadly, Fossella’s uncle James Lucey died in a car accident back in November. Remembering her brother, Fossella’s mom Beth was quoted as saying that James was “fun-loving, magical and as Irish as the day is long.”

Now, none of this means Fossella is seen as Irish by many New Yorkers, or that he has made Irish or Irish American issues a priority.

He flirted with a primary run against Bloomberg in 2005 but backed out. Some say he was testing the waters and building up name recognition for a 2009 run.

At the moment the mayoral candidate who makes Republicans dream — and who gives Democrats nightmares — is popular New York Police Commissioner Ray Kelly.

As the Daily News reported earlier this month, “A hefty 70% of New Yorkers have a favorable view of Kelly, a former Marine whose support extends across all five boroughs and every major ethnic group in the city, a Quinnipiac University poll found.”

Kelly rose through the ranks of the historically Irish NYPD and is seen out and about at many of New York’s Irish cultural functions.

Kelly is not registered as a Republican or Democrat. But don’t forget, Mike Bloomberg was once a Democrat.

David Garth, the consultant who steered the elections of mayors Ed Koch, Rudy Giuliani and Bloomberg, recently said Kelly would be a great candidate for mayor.

“He’d be a terrific candidate for mayor — maybe even the best candidate — if you are looking for someone with experience. He knows the territory, people respect him and he is very bright.”

But, is Kelly actually going to run for mayor?

“I’ve got the best job in America, in my mind,” Kelly told reporters when asked about running for mayor. “I’m focusing totally on that job. Right now I have no desire to run for mayor.”

Key words? “Right now.” We’ll check back later.

(Contact Sidewalks at tomdeignan@earthlink.net.)