Former New York Gov. George Pataki, who
dropped his own bid for the GOP presidential nomination in December, Tuesday announced his endorsement for Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, saying he has the "leadership and vision" needed to bring Americans together, while commenting that neither Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump are "fit" for the presidency.
"I've enormous confidence Marco Rubio is ready to be president of the United States," Pataki told Fox News'
"America's Newsroom" co-host Martha MacCallum.
"One of the most important things is for us to understand we are all Americans. We have had a president who divide us for political benefit," said Pataki. "Hillary Clinton is always dividing us for her benefit. Donald Trump is dividing us so he gets the benefit
. . . I'm going to do everything I can to help Sen. Rubio win this election."
While endorsing Rubio, Pataki had harsh words for Clinton, who he said is "disqualified to be president of the United States," and he would support any Republican to defeat her, even Trump, even though that would be "the hardest for me."
"I think some of his comments have been outrageous and bigoted," said Pataki. "I don't think he's fit to have his finger on the nuclear button, but I believe Marco Rubio is ready to lead this country and bring us together."
Meanwhile, a new poll shows Ohio Gov. John Kasich's numbers rising in New Hampshire, where he placed 12th and bumped Rubio to third place.
Pataki pointed out the race for the nomination is a "national," not regional race, and he believes Rubio has the "staying power" to win the party's nomination and the general election.
His endorsement marks the third one to come from a former GOP presidential candidate, with the others coming from South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, who is backing former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush's bid for the nomination, and former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who has endorsed Texas Sen. Ted Cruz.
Sandy Fitzgerald ✉
Sandy Fitzgerald has more than three decades in journalism and serves as a general assignment writer for Newsmax covering news, media, and politics.
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