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Subscribe to RSSMANCHESTER, NH -- You can add another prominent Republican who’s thinking about a White House bid.
“I am definitely considering a run for president,” former New York Gov. George Pataki told reporters here.
Fresh off a trip to Iowa, Pataki was in the Granite State leading a discussion on the debt crisis at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm's College. (Organizers claimed it was scheduled long before the current debt impasse began producing headlines.)
"We are engaged in generational theft. Politicians in Washington are stealing from our children's future… This is not leadership,” Pataki told the group.
When asked about the current GOP presidential field's handling of the debt problem, Pataki seemed dissatisfied.
"A Republican has to make as part of their campaign how they're going deal with the deficit and debt issue,” he told NBC News. “We have to have solutions. So far, I haven’t heard that. I'm certainly looking to see if someone has that plan in the tone of their campaign.”
Then Pataki paused to reiterate that he is taking a closer look at the White House. “I’m seriously thinking about it."
Here in New Hampshire, Pataki is the honorary chairman of a group called No American Debt, which hosted today’s event. He joined state Senate President Peter Bragdon and House Speaker Bill O’Brien to answer questions from approximately 20 concerned citizens, business leaders, and one college student.
Pataki wasted no time in attacking President Obama’s positions on a broad range of issues including energy, jobs, taxes, and the subject du jour: the debt debate.
As for when he might declare a run for the White House, Pataki knows the clock is ticking.
"I don’t want to put a specific date on it, but I understand that sooner is better than not.”
Pataki said it would “be great” if Texas Gov. Rick Perry entered the presidential race, but he stated firmly that Perry’s move would not ultimately affect his own decision.
“I will be very involved in some way, whether it's as a candidate or supporting another candidate or some other capacity."
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I never was a big fan of Pataki, but he might fit into the "sane" category. I think the sane ones can smell the manure dissolving into the dirt. They see opportunity. But I think they will be suprised when they learn that the lunatics really do run the asylum now. The looney birds have a great chance of big wins in Iowa and South Carolina. And Romney looks good in N.H. It's getting a little late. And Pataki is a has been. Or a bland never was.
H. Lang you are spot on, Everyone thinks they can beat the Black Man in the Whitehouse!
Pataki--now that's a unique sounding name. I'm not sure that's a completely American name. Where's his birth certificate?
"We are engaged in generational theft. Politicians in Washington are stealing from our children's future… This is not leadership,” Pataki told the group.
Neither are you. Now GTFO of the way of Ron Paul and Gary Johnson you hopped up big business crook.
Pataki, yep we got your campaign platform "bash Obama".
There's already 13 of those in the running.
Tough to try to sell fiscal responsibility as a Republican these days when the GOP is now responsible for over $7.7 Trillion dollars in UNFUNDED GOP war spending over the past 30 years. Yep, SPEND and BORROW and WAR that's the GOP platform. Sure does a whole lot to help build America doesn't it. No wonder the whole place is falling apart.
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Oh go the @!$%# away already... You, bachman and perry need to just go somewhere and cry in your beer.
Ron Paul 2012
Isn't it wonderful. Evidently most Republicans think nobody they have up for nomination is worthy. If they keep adding more, eventually everyone in the party will be running and none of them (IN THEIR OWN MINDS NOW) will be qualified. Now there's a pretty paradox. A party that doesn't believe any of their members stack up wanting one of their unworthy number to be nominated. Ya gotta love it.
What a waste of money. I say the Repubs put all the candidates on something like Dancing with the Stars and let us vote on off every week!
I'm waiting for David Duke to throw his hat in and the radical wackification of the GOP will be a fait accompli.
Pataki is a true old line republican from the northeast, fiscally conservative, socially moderate. In my opinion, I think that is and has been the political identity of most Americans, but they have not had a candidate to embrace. With the repubs, you get these born again clowns that do well in the bible belt, and with the dems, you get these typical -- well typical democrats. I lived in New York under Pataki, he was a great governor, more alligned with the Eisenhowers and Rockefellers, true statesman appealing to all people. Please run George, you are just what I and America needs. But today's southernized evangelical religiously hijacked republican party will probably not let you play. Shame
freedomman, The reasons you state to why Pataki would make a great GOP presidential nominee is exactly why he won't be nominated. This modern-day GOP has no room under their tent for an intelligent moderate. They'd rather nominate and loose with wing-nuts like Bachmann or Santorum.
Oh wonderful, the ex Governor of New York who was less than zero in his tenure wants to be president. Please Pataki, keep that thought to yourself and stay retired.
Hey, the more the merrier. I have heard that the Republicans were considering digging up Ronald Reagan and Richard Nixon and running them also. He two dead presidents is better than anything that the Republicans have now.....
Gov Pataki, and fellow neighbor in Garrison. Play a role in the election buy supporting Jon Huntsman. He needs key supporters like yourself to help him raise money and move a head. You have similar core values, but it's his time.