WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Former New York Governor
George Pataki plans to visit Iowa on Saturday as speculation
mounts that he will jump into the race for the 2012 Republican
presidential nomination.
Pataki, who decided against a White House bid four years
ago, has been "seriously considering" a run for the nomination
to challenge President Barack Obama, and a decision will come
soon, a spokesman said.
Pataki will attend a local party picnic in Iowa, which
holds the first Republican nominating contest, and could
announce his candidacy then.
"He is deeply disappointed by President Obama's utter
failure of leadership on the debt issue and in the lack of real
solutions being offered by the current Republican field of
candidates," spokesman David Catalfamo said.
Pataki was first elected New York governor in 1994 and was
re-elected twice, but as a moderate from the Northeast he would
face a tough path to the nomination in a party that has become
more conservative in recent years.
Other candidates attending the Saturday picnic in Iowa will
be Texas Governor Rick Perry, a staunch conservative who
entered the race barely more than a week ago, and U.S.
Representatives Ron Paul and Thaddeus McCotter.
Some Republican activists and insiders are still unhappy
with the party's 2012 field and have urged more candidates to
get in. Others still considering a bid include former Alaska
Governor Sarah Palin and former New York City Mayor Rudy
Giuliani.
House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan ruled out a bid on
Monday.
(Reporting by John Whitesides; Editing by Philip Barbara)
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