Former New York Gov. George Pataki started a Twitter battle with fellow GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump on Sunday just days before they will square off in the party's second presidential debate on Wednesday.
Pataki, who is in ninth place in the 16-candidate field, according to the
Real Clear Politics average of polls, said he wouldn't vote for Trump, the current front-runner, if he gets the nomination. He urged other candidates to join him in a sort of reverse-loyalty pledge.
Trump, in typical fashion, did not take that lying down and questioned Pataki's qualifications to run.
(Technically, Pataki is at 3.8 percent in the RCP average, enough to get him on the main debate stage along with Trump on Wednesday.)
Pataki returned fire, bringing up some of the billionaire real estate developer's own past.
Red State editor Erick Erikson got in on the action, noting that voters more likely will face the dilemma of whether to support Trump in the general election than Pataki.
Pataki replied that at least he can hold his head high.
Pataki on Friday told
Newsmax TV that even though he had signed the loyalty pledge to support the party's nominee, he
will not vote for the nominee if it is Trump.
It was Trump himself who inspired RNC Chairman Reince Priebus to seek signatures on a loyalty oath after Trump hinted he might not support the eventual nominee if he didn't win, and might run third party. He has since said he believes the party is treating him fairly and signed the pledge.
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