George Pataki, a former three-term governor of New York who is considered a moderate Republican, is expected to address his ambitions for the 2012 presidential race this weekend.
Pataki is scheduled to attend a picnic on Saturday in Des Moines, Iowa, where he will likely make an official campaign announcement declaring his candidacy.
“I can confirm that Governor Pataki is seriously considering getting into the race,” Pataki spokesman David Catalfamo said in a statement.
“He is deeply disappointed by the failure of leadership by President Obama on the debt issue and in the lack of serious solutions being offered by the current Republican field.”
Darrell Kearney, a spokesman for the Polk County Republican Party, believes there is a “strong possibility” that Pataki will enter the race based on conversations with his staffers.
Political experts believe Pataki will struggle mightily to gain traction in the GOP field as a pro-choice, pro-gay rights, and pro-union candidate. The Albany Republican establishment feels that he is not in line with the socially conservative views of the party.
“Among a lot of New York Republicans the general sense is that it doesn’t make sense,” a source tells The New York Daily News.
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