If it seems like we’re writing at least one “so and so formally announces they’re running for president in 2016” post each day, that’s probably not far from accurate.
Waiting with baited breath for the Republican presidential candidate who can serve up the pro-abortion, anti-gun vote? Wait no more! Your endurance has proved fruitful. New York’s former Governor George Pataki announced his presidential candidacy today.
“My vision wasn’t a partisan vision, it was about people, about what we can accomplish together,” Pataki says in his first campaign video which was also released this morning. “If we are to flourish as a people, we have to fall in love with America again,” he concludes.
The video is 4 minutes long and has underlined words. That’s pretty much all I’ll say about it. But it’s here to sate your curiosity:
In his announcement, Pataki took a swipe at Hillary Clinton and railed against the IRS and Obamacare. He also dropped some gratitude in Spanish.
One has to wonder what possessed Pataki to join the packed primary. Despite the crowded heat, most candidate’s reasons for running are clear, and some are even delusional enough to believe they could be the next White House occupant. Hot Air‘s Jazz Shaw has a few theories:
Three theories for why he’d run. One: Boredom. He misses being in the political arena and wants to have some fun at the very margins of the big stage. In which case, okay, but wasn’t he bored in 2012 too? He would have gotten (somewhat) more attention back then as a centrist foil to Romney than he will once he’s lost in the crowd of more impressive candidates this year. Two: He feels obliged. New York has elected only three Republican governors over the last 90 years: Thomas Dewey, Nelson Rockefeller, and this guy. The first two ran for president and were credible candidates. Maybe Pataki’s talked himself into believing that even the modern GOP can’t resist taking a hard look at a centrist Republican who was capable of winning New York. Imagine his surprise when he finds out the truth. Three: He’s an establishment catspaw being nudged into the race to make Jeb Bush and Christie look more conservative by comparison. Surely, though, the donor class could have found someone with more currency than Pataki to fill that role if that’s the plan here. As it is, he’s unlikely to make the debates. How effective can a foil be if he barely registers in the public’s consciousness?
So, um, welcome to the race, Governor?
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