George Pataki presidential campaign, 2016
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 George Pataki |
Governor of New York (1995 - 2007) |
 Republican candidate: |
2024 • 2020 • 2016 |
- See also: George Pataki
George Pataki was a Republican candidate for the office of president of the United States in 2016.
Pataki made several trips to New Hampshire at the end of 2014, stating he was "very seriously" considering a run for president.[2] On May 28, 2015, he announced his presidential bid via a video posted on his campaign website, before speaking to a crowd of supporters in New Hampshire.[3][4] The Boston Globe reported on December 29, 2015, that Pataki contacted "key" supporters in New Hampshire to inform them that he was suspending his presidential campaign.[5]
Pataki served as the governor of New York for three terms between 1995 and 2007.[6] Pataki has since worked for the law firm, Chadbourne & Parke LLP, and founded a consulting firm with his former Chief of Staff John Cahill.[7][8]
In recent candidate rankings, Crowdpac ranked Pataki as a 1.1C (C being conservative) on a scale ranging from 10L to 10C, making him the second least conservative Republican presidential candidate.[9] He received a grade of "F/56" from the Leadership Project for America PAC.[10]
On the issues
| Public policy in the 2016 election |
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Economic and fiscal
Taxes
- Americans for Tax Reform announced on November 4, 2015, that George Pataki had signed a pledge to “oppose and veto any and all efforts to increase taxes.”[13]
- In an interview with U.S. News & World Report July 15, 2015, Pataki said he would scrap the current tax code in favor of something similar to the recommendations made by the bipartisan deficit reduction commission led by former Clinton administration official Erskine Bowles and former Republican senator Alan Simpson "I would essentially throw out the entire tax code, along the lines of the Bowles-Simpson recommendation. Get rid of the vast majority of the exemptions, credits and loopholes. I would keep things like the home mortgage interest deduction, the charitable credit and the [research and development] credit. But simplify it and dramatically lower the rates. I think we'd have a far fairer system. I don't know that I want to say [what my highest rate would be] now, but it would be dramatically lower than what it is today. It would be along the lines of Bowles-Simpson. Among other things, I am going to suggest that we have a tax rate on manufacturing that is the lowest in the developed world. Right now our corporate tax rate is the highest in the developed world." [14]
- Pataki was appointed by Governor of New York Andrew Cuomo (D) to co-chair the Tax Relief Commission in 2013. The commission's purpose was to review New York state taxes "unduly burdensome to business, and to middle-class and working families."[15] In December 2013, the Tax Relief Commission released its final report. According to the governor's Office, "The Commission's recommendations focus on providing property tax relief for New York homeowners and businesses and enhancing the State's economic competitiveness. In addition to providing tax relief, the Commission recommends providing incentives to local governments to reduce the cost of operations. Further recommendations include lowering the corporate tax rate to its lowest level in 46 years; reducing the tax rate for manufacturers Upstate to its lowest level ever; and updating the Estate Tax to bring New York in line with other states."[16]
- In a December 2011 interview on FOX Business, Pataki said, "We should extend the payroll tax cut. It helps families and it helps the economy."[17]
- Evaluating his tax record as governor of New York, the Cato Institute described Pataki as a "tax-cutting, small government governor" who became a "big spender." According to the Cato Institute, "Among his leading first-term accomplishments were his $3 billion, 25 percent income tax cut and a substantial cut in the capital gains tax and inheritance tax. But by his second term, he was proposing multi-billion dollar bond initiatives for roads and pork-barrel environmental projects. He raised the cigarette tax to $1.50 per pack. He raised taxes, on net, by more than $3 billion his final term in office."[18]
Banking policy
- At the third Republican presidential debate in October 2015, George Pataki said the Federal Reserve should increase interest rates. He said, "The Fed had to act. And the Fed did act appropriately in reducing interest rates. But they've reduced them now for seven straight years. That's never happened before. They've been zero for way too long. They should raise the rates. The Fed should get out of manipulating the market. And the Fed also, by the way, should reduce its balance sheet, 2.7 trillion, let some of those bonds mature and put the money back in the banking system so our economy can grow."[19] Pataki also said there was a "corrupt connection between Wall Street and Washington."[19]
- In July 2015, Pataki called the Troubled Asset Relief Program used to bail out large banks following the 2008 financial crisis "a very bad idea."[20]
- According to The New York Times, Pataki proposed a bill in the New York State Legislature in May 1999 to allow financial institutions in the state "to offer a full range of financial services including banking and insurance" and to restructure without regulation by the Federal Reserve Board or the Comptroller of the Currency.[21]
Government regulations
- In a speech at the South Carolina Freedom Summit in May 2015, George Pataki condemned the growth of bureaucracy at the federal level. Pataki said he wanted to reduce the federal workforce by 15 percent, and noted that he had reduced the New York state workforce by 25,000 workers.[22]
- The New York Times characterized Pataki as believing "that competition and free market, not regulators, should make decisions."[23]
- Pataki established the Governor's Office of Regulatory Reform (GORR) in 1995 to lessen "the mountain of bureaucratic red tape and regulations that had severely damaged the State’s economic climate and job creation efforts." According to the George Pataki Leadership Center, this office "eliminated or significantly reformed more than 2,900 regulations." GORR was dismantled in 2011 by Andrew Cuomo.[24][25]
International trade
- During the undercard of the third Republican debate, held October 28, 2015, George Pataki said he would retaliate against foreign companies that use unfair trade practices. He said, "I would...put in place a policy where if we know a company, say, a Chinese company, is hacking into American companies, stealing trade secrets, as we know they do every day, we will retaliate against that company and say that that company's not going to be allowed to continue to do trade with the United States."[26]
- In 2005, Pataki led a trade mission to China "to create new jobs and foster new economic development in New York by expanding trade opportunities with China and promoting new foreign investment in the State."[27] Pataki wanted to establish a trade office in China, but it was not funded in the following year's budget.[28]
- In a 2003 letter to the Office of the United States Trade Representative, Pataki said he was "fully supportive of President Bush's ambitious agenda for trade liberalization."[29]
Budgets
- In 2011, George Pataki established No American Debt, an advocacy group urging Republican presidential candidates to address deficit reduction.[30] In an interview on FOX News with Sean Hannity discussing the organization, Pataki called the Bowles-Simpson and Ryan fiscal plans "bold."[31]
- While governor of New York, Pataki increased spending by 79.5 percent from $63.3 billion to $113.6 billion, and debt by 61.3 percent from $31 billion to $50 billion.[32] In his 2005 budget address, Pataki suggested the budget be considered in the environment of "the national recession, September 11th, and the Wall Street decline."[33] The events of September 11, 2001, had a significant impact on New York state's fiscal health with an estimated cost of $83 million.[34]
Agricultural subsidies
- George Pataki shifted his position on the Renewable Fuel Standard, saying he supported it during a campaign stop in Iowa on September 19, 2015. “Washington made a commitment to those farmers and those investors. We have to keep our word,” said Pataki.[35]
- At the Iowa Agriculture Summit on March 7, 2015, Pataki said, "I honestly don't think the federal government should require anybody in America to buy anything, whether it's renewable fuel or Obamacare. I support ethanol, but I believe we should phase out the [Renewable Fuel Standard]."[36][37]
- According to the George Pataki Leadership Center, Pataki reduced New York school property taxes for farmers through an income tax credit, eliminated the sales tax on agricultural products and invested $5 million in developing agricultural projects across the state.[38]
Federal assistance programs
- In a 2015 meeting with New Hampshire Republicans, George Pataki suggested "Medicaid, Medicare and other entitlement programs needed to be scaled back."[39]
- Pataki appeared on FOX Business in July 2012 to discuss welfare reform. Pataki said, "When I took office, one in eleven of every resident in New York state...was on welfare because we had a system that made you better off if you were dependent on government than if you went out and got that first job. We changed it dramatically. We had over a million fewer people on welfare when I left, and this president wants to undo that."[40] Early in Pataki's gubernatorial tenure, he tightened welfare regulations to require able-bodied recipients work.[41]
- In a 2011 interview with The Fiscal Times, Pataki expressed support for raising the retirement age to receive Social Security benefits "for those virtually not yet born."[42]
Labor and employment
- According to The New York Times, George Pataki "approved billions of dollars in new pension benefits for government workers after lobbying from politically connected unions."[43] However, Pataki supported Andrew Cuomo's efforts to reform public pensions by offering a 401(k)-type retirement benefit or reduced pension benefits to new employees.[44]
- During Pataki's tenure as governor, New York had more than 600,000 new jobs enter the state, and the lowest unemployment rate on record.[45][46]
Foreign affairs
Iran nuclear deal
- At the Republican Jewish Coalition conference in April 2015, George Pataki said, "Iran can never be allowed to have nuclear weapons."[47] On April 24, 2015, Pataki called on presidential candidate Rand Paul to stand with him in opposition to a nuclear deal with Iran:[48]
- Pataki has criticized the open letter sent to Iranian leaders by 47 Senate Republicans regarding the country's nuclear development. In March 2015, Pataki said, "Foreign policy, negotiations with foreign states, has to be conducted by the president and his team. We don't have to agree with the decisions. I have grave reservations about the deal that appears to be negotiated with Iran, but I don't think Congress independently reaches out to another government to express a different standpoint."[49]
Military preparedness and budget
- At the Republican Leadership Summit on April 17, 2015, George Pataki said, "The first thing I would do is rebuild our military. We should not have a military smaller than it was before World War II when the world is as dangerous as it is today. We should strengthen it. We should expand it. We should make it more powerful. Not because we want to use it, but so we don't have to use it."[50]
- In a 2004 hearing before the House Committee on Government Reform, Pataki testified about the importance of the National Guard. Pataki advocated for the "Patriot Plan," a package of benefits for National Guard personnel and their families.[51]
National security
- In an interview on FOX News on February 4, 2015, Pataki said, "First of all, we have to acknowledge that Islamic terror is an enemy of the United States. Call it by its name, whether it's ISIS, or al Qaeda, or Boko Haram."[52] Pataki called on his experience as governor of New York during the September 11 attacks to argue "if it takes boots on the ground for a limited period of time to destroy ISIS, they must be destroyed there, before they attack us here."[52]
- When asked in February 2015 on The Alan Colmes Show whether he would approve of military intervention in Syria to go after ISIS, Pataki responded, "I would go in wherever ISIS is, kill as many of them as possible, as quickly as possible. Deny them safe havens, training camps, places where they can recruit from the west. Where they can make hundreds of millions of dollars by selling oil illegally on the market. We cannot let this happen."[53]
- Following the hack of Sony Pictures in November 2014, Pataki encouraged retaliation against its alleged sponsor, North Korea. Pataki said, "Using our cyber technology to disrupt their ability to communicate, to disrupt the ability of the Kim regime to continue to oppress its people, short of any acts of violence, are something we should consider."[54]
International relations
- Edward Snowden joined Twitter On September 29, 2015, with the tweet, “Can you hear me now?” Within the hour, George Pataki tweeted back, “Some say you have courage, I saw real courage on #Sept11 You are just a traitor who put American lives at risk.” He also called for Twitter to ban Snowden.[55][56]
- Pataki spoke at the Republican Jewish Coalition conference in April 2015 where he affirmed his support of Israel, stated he was against Iran having nuclear weapons and argued for an increased response to ISIS. Pataki also strongly criticized the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) Movement, saying, "BDS is not a human rights movement. It is an anti-Semitic movement."[57]
- During a radio interview with Hugh Hewitt on April 23, 2015, Pataki expressed disapproval of how the United States has handled the Russian military intervention in the Ukraine. Pataki said, "[W]e actually signed an agreement with Ukraine, as did Russia, guaranteeing its sovereign borders when they gave up their nuclear weapons. We’ve just basically ignored that. So I would do far more to assist Ukraine, including sending military weapons, sending, training their troops and providing every bit of assistance short of getting involved in military action there. I would do far more to assist Ukraine, including sending military weapons, sending, training their troops and providing every bit of assistance short of getting involved in military action there."[58]
- Pataki served as a delegate to the United Nations General Assembly in 2007.[59]
- As governor of New York, Pataki traveled to China in 2005 to encourage trade and investment between the country and his state.[60]
Epidemic control
- George Pataki advocated for vaccinations in a New Hampshire Public Radio interview in February 2015. Pataki said, "I thought the idea that vaccinations might be a bad thing was settled when George Washington vaccinated the troops at Valley Forge against small pox. I think it’s absolutely critical that children be immunized."[61]
- During the West African Ebola outbreak in 2014, Pataki supported temporarily banning flights from the region or implementing quarantine facilities there to protect the United States from an Ebola epidemic. Pataki said, "I don't see how the president can defend having our military quarantined when they come back, but allowing civilians, non-American citizens traveling here, when we have no idea what they were doing, to not be quarantined."[62]
ISIS and terrorism
- Appearing on CNN’s “Wolf” on August 20, 2015, Pataki dismissed Trump's use of the term “anchor baby” and the media discourse around it. Pataki said, “I think the whole thing is ridiculous. We’re talking about what term you use to describe children born in America. The world is falling apart. Iran is on the verge of having an illegal nuclear program. ISIS poses a threat to us here in America. Our economy is not growing and we’re arguing back and forth about utter nonsense. I think the whole Donald Trump thing has been not just a distraction but it’s demagoguery when Americans understand we need a leader who can bring us together and actually solve problems.”[63]
- Pataki spoke at the Republican Jewish Coalition conference in April 2015 where he affirmed his support of Israel, stated he was against Iran having nuclear weapons and argued for an increased response to ISIS. Pataki also strongly criticized the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) Movement, saying, "BDS is not a human rights movement. It is an anti-Semitic movement."[57]
- In an interview on FOX News on February 4, 2015, Pataki said, "First of all, we have to acknowledge that Islamic terror is an enemy of the United States. Call it by its name, whether it's ISIS, or al Qaeda, or Boko Haram."[52] Pataki called on his experience as governor of New York during the September 11 attacks to argue "if it takes boots on the ground for a limited period of time to destroy ISIS, they must be destroyed there, before they attack us here."[52]
- When asked in February 2015 on The Alan Colmes Show whether he would approve of military intervention in Syria to go after ISIS, Pataki responded, "I would go in wherever ISIS is, kill as many of them as possible, as quickly as possible. Deny them safe havens, training camps, places where they can recruit from the west. Where they can make hundreds of millions of dollars by selling oil illegally on the market. We cannot let this happen."[64]
Domestic
Federalism
First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
- George Pataki said on September 10, 2015, he would have fired Kim Davis, the Kentucky county clerk who refused to issue same-sex marriage licenses on religious grounds. “You take an oath when you go into public office -- that you are going to uphold the laws and enforce the laws. And it's not the laws you agree with. It's not the laws you don't have an objection to. It is all the laws. ... I don't think she should have been put in jail. But to stand up there and say I'm going to refuse to do perform my duty because I disagree with the law? Suppose it was a Muslim ... Would we be seeing this outpouring if he had said Sharia law doesn't allow me to provide for a gay wedding, a gay marriage certificate? You have to obey the law. ... You cannot have a clerk that refuses to follow the Supreme Court,” said Pataki.[65]
- Pataki posthumously pardoned comedian Lenny Bruce for his obscenity conviction in 2003. Speaking on the only pardon he ever granted, Pataki said, "Freedom of speech is one of the greatest American liberties, and I hope this pardon serves as a reminder of the precious freedoms we are fighting to preserve as we continue to wage the war on terror."[66][67]
- In a 2010 interview with Chris Matthews of MSNBC regarding Pataki's opposition to the construction of a mosque near Ground Zero, Pataki explained, "We believe in freedom of religion. In New York City, there are over 100 mosques. In New York State, there are over 300 mosques. We believe that religious tolerance is an important part of our Bill of Rights and of our country. But that doesn't mean that we have to tolerate building a center with questionable sources of funds, questionable leadership so close to Ground Zero. It is the wrong thing to do at the wrong site."[68]
Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA)
- George Pataki criticized Indiana's Religious Freedom Restoration Act in April 2015. Pataki said, "No private sector business should be allowed to deny service, to discriminate, on the basis of sexual orientation. I urge Governor Pence and the Indiana Legislature to amend the bill to ensure these protections are made.”[69]
Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
- In a 2015 interview with The New York Post, George Pataki said, "I think the federal gun laws are fine. There are those on the left who don’t understand that the Second Amendment matters." Pataki singled out efforts to ban armor-piercing ammunition as particularly concerning.[70]
- As governor of New York, Pataki signed into law bipartisan gun control legislation in 2000. In addition to banning large-capacity ammunition clips already banned under federal law, the new law increased the age for handgun ownership to 21, required background checks for purchases at gun shows and mandated new guns for sale have trigger locks.[71] According to The New York Times, the National Rifle Association saw the law "as infringing on the rights of gun owners, while the firearms industry has dismissed it as meaningless posturing that will have no real effect on violence."[72]
Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
- At the fifth GOP primary debate on December 15, 2015, George Pataki discussed his position on surveillance programs: “You know, I think it's very important that we do everything in our power to prevent radicalization of Americans right here. And it is happening, not just overseas, but it's happening here from Mosques on social media. ... New York police department had a very active group, aggressively monitoring and using intelligence to—in certain Muslim communities, consistent with our constitution, consistent of our civil rights, so they could have the intelligence as to where these sermons are being given, and who is being radicalized. And, they stopped and prevented dozens, and dozens of attacks in New York. You know, I'm a great believer in the First Amendment, of Freedom of Speech. I wish we had more of it on our college campuses, but you can't shout fire in a crowded theater. Calling on Americans to engage in violence against their fellow Americans in the name of jihad is crying fire in a crowded theater. It is not constitutionally protected speech, it should be shut down. And, by the way, the two murders who went to Garland, Texas to massacre many Americans before the Texas police officer courageously killed them, had been radicalized here. Getting to that metadata question, one of those terrorists, the day before the attacks, had sent 109 message to a known terrorist overseas. We could not read those messages, we can not read those today. We have got to do far better.”[73]
Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
- In an April 2015 interview, George Pataki called himself "a great believer in the 10th Amendment."[74] Pataki illustrated this belief in an interview with Girard at Large in April 2015 when he applied it to the Common Core. Pataki said, "Education has always been a state and local issue. It's not a Washington issue, and the idea that we're going to have one national testing system imposed on students in every community across America is wrong."[75]
Crime and justice
- George Pataki has been a consistent supporter of capital punishment. After signing a bill into law that reinstated the death penalty in New York in 1995, Pataki said, "What demeans society is when too many police officers respond to a call risking their lives to protect us and we as a society don't do everything in our power to protect them and save their lives. This bill is going to save lives."[76] After a state court suspended the law in 2004 and the New York state legislature refused to reinstate it in again 2005, Pataki condemned them. Pataki said, "The Assembly leadership's 'so what?' attitude toward criminals, whether they're sex offenders, deadly drivers or heinous murderers, is simply shameful. They need to stop protecting criminals and start protecting New Yorkers."[77]
- In 1998, Pataki "eliminated parole release for all violent felony offenders" in New York.[78]
Natural resources
Climate change
- George Pataki discussed how his love of bird-watching has informed his “progressive stance on climate change” during an interview on October 19, 2015. He said, “There’s no question that human CO2 emissions are contributing, in some way. And to the extent it's consistent with a strong economy and a strong America, we should be taking steps to help the future generation deal with that.”[79]
- Discussing climate change and energy production at the No Labels conference on October 12, 2015, Pataki said the private sector and universities should “solve” the alternative energy question, not the federal government. He also expressed support for fracking which he suggested caused a decline in the production of greenhouse gasses in the United States.[80]
- In an interview with Grist on September 24, 2015, Pataki explained why he supported a gradual approach to addressing climate change. “America is not the problem, America is the solution. Today, we emit only 16 percent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. If we were to reduce that by a few percentage points, the growth in the economy in other parts of the world would still result in a massive increase in greenhouse gas emissions. When America innovates, we can export those technologies to countries like China that are emitting almost certainly far more greenhouse gasses. There are a lot of things that can be done to encourage American innovation, American technology, to dramatically lower CO2 and greenhouse gas emissions without the need to raise costs on the American people," said Pataki.[81]
- Pataki was appointed to co-chair the Independent Task Force on Global Climate Change for the Council on Foreign Relations in 2007.[82] This task force released a report in June 2008 with recommendations for comprehensive environmental policy change, but warned against signing any agreement that contained an emissions cap without including "strong commitments to actions from the major emerging economies."[83]
Keystone XL Pipeline
- After President Barack Obama vetoed a bill to extend the Keystone XL Pipeline in February 2015, George Pataki took to Twitter to express his disapproval:
Energy production
- While touring Green Leads marketing firm in New Hampshire on October 16, 2015, George Pataki “called geothermal technology the wave of the future, saying more contractors should embrace its use in the design and construction of commercial and residential buildings,” according to The Eagle Tribune.[84]
- In 2012, Pataki wrote an op-ed in The Wall Street Journal, outlining the steps necessary to make the electrical grid more reliable following major storms like Hurricane Sandy. Pataki recommended investment in "strategic infrastructure change" such as moving electrical-distribution networks underground, modernizing transmission systems for electricity and using more distributed power sources.[85]
Fracking
- George Pataki supported fracking across the Marcellus Shale in a 2011 New York Daily News op-ed. Pataki wrote, "The benefits of these natural gas reserves for our economy would be enormous, even transformational. Domestic natural gas waiting to be unlocked will give us the opportunity to reduce our dependence on foreign oil while making our air cleaner through the use of more natural gas in electric power generation and transportation. Then there’s this not-insignificant point: The development of the Marcellus Shale formation means jobs and investment throughout New York."[86]
Cap and trade
- George Pataki pioneered the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) in 2003 to create a cap-and-trade program between states in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic region. Describing his concept, Pataki wrote, "The debate about global warming has often been marked by confrontation and litigation. Today we are pursuing a course of cooperation and we are confident this will achieve meaningful reductions in harmful emissions without disrupting electricity markets."[87] Member states have reduced their carbon emissions by 18 percent since 2009.[88]
Environmental protection
- After extended disputes between New York state Democrats and Republicans regarding the clean up and redevelopment of the state's brownfields, George Pataki joined the leaders of the New York State Legislature, Joseph Bruno and Sheldon Silver, to sign a Memorandum of Understanding releasing $30 million to restore the brownfields in March 2005.[89][90]
- During Pataki's tenure as governor of New York, he expanded the amount of open space preservation by one million new acres and added 26 new state parks.[91]
Healthcare
- George Pataki called the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, "the worst law of my lifetime" during a March 2015 interview with NewsmaxTV.[92] Pataki stated that the law was unconstitutional and should be repealed.[92]
- At the Republican Leadership Summit in New Hampshire on April 17, 2015, Pataki espoused the benefits of a market-based healthcare system, and added, "We should allow consumers to purchase across state lines and get rid of the junk negligence lawsuits that drive up the cost of medicine."[93]
Immigration
- During the September 2015 GOP debate, George Pataki supported birthright citizenship again. “I don't think that we should tell that child born in America that we're going to send them back. The way to avoid that is to have an intelligent immigration policy where we know who is coming here, why they are coming here, so we don't have this flood of people coming here for the wrong reasons,” said Pataki.[94]
- On August 18, 2015, George Pataki said of birthright citizenship, “I don't support amending the Constitution to kick out kids who were born here.”[95]
- In May 2015, Pataki said he supported a "pathway to citizenship at the back of the line" excepting members of the military. Pataki expressed skepticism of candidates who suggest mass deportations as an immigration solution.[96]
- Pataki supported legislation in 2002 to allow immigrants living in the United States without legal permission and enrolled in the New York public university system to pay in-state tuition.[97]
Education
- George Pataki spoke exclusively about his education policies during an interview on Girard at Large in April 2015. Pataki said, "Education has always been a state and local issue. It's not a Washington issue, and the idea that we're going to have one national testing system imposed on students in every community across America is wrong. I opposed Common Core. I think it's a terrible idea. I'm for standards, but those standards should be imposed locally and at the state level."[98]
- Pataki stated the Department of Education should serve more as "an information-gathering center" rather than determine the direction of policy.[98]
- While serving as governor of New York, Pataki tried to establish "an education tax credit where we could take a core part of our taxes and use it to help students to learn better, whether it was with additional support in the public system or paying for education outside in the private or parochial system."[98]
- Early in his tenure as governor in the 1990s, Pataki supported the establishment of charter schools in New York.[98][99] When Mayor of New York City Bill de Blasio reduced funding for charter schools in 2014, Pataki said, "This is about empowering the educational monopoly and the bureaucracy at the expense of the children. They see charter schools as a threat to their monopolistic power."[99]
- Pataki received an endorsement from the United Federation of Teachers in his 2002 re-election campaign for governor of New York.[100]
Abortion
- In a September 2015 interview with The Politic, George Pataki opposed Republican efforts to end abortion entirely. Instead, Pataki said, they should focus on banning abortions after 20 weeks. “The Democrats are always saying Republicans reject science, but the Democrats reject science that says now at about 20 weeks there’s no doubt there’s a life that is sustainable outside of the womb. I believe that is a human life that we have not just a legal right, but an obligation to protect. … So you’re going to hear people talking about ‘I’m going to do this, I’m going to ban abortion, and I’m going to do that,’ it’s not going to happen. Three things can happen, ban abortion after 20 weeks, defund Planned Parenthood, and a permanent ban on using taxpayer dollars to fund abortion,” said Pataki.[101]
- Speaking about his continued support for abortion rights at a Republican debate on August 6, 2015, Pataki said, "My heart has not changed, because I've always been appalled by abortion. I'm a Catholic, I believe life begins at conception. But as Bill said earlier, Roe v. Wade, it's has been the law for 42 years, and I don't think we should continue to try to change it. But we can do is defund Planned Parenthood, and by the way, put in place an absolute permanent ban on any taxpayer dollars ever being used to fund abortions.”[102]
- On July 14, 2015, the Center for Medical Progress, an anti-abortion advocacy group, released a video showing a senior director from Planned Parenthood discussing how the organization provides tissue from aborted fetuses to medical research facilities. In a statement released to the Washington Free Beacon, a spokesman for Pataki, David Catalfamo, stated, "The video is abhorrent and Governor Pataki would support ending federal funding for Planned Parenthood."[103][104]
- Prior to being elected governor of New York in 1994, George Pataki said, "I am pro-choice, regardless of what happens with Federal legislation. I do not think the state of New York should take away the right of a woman to choose."[105] However, Pataki does not support the legalization of late-term abortions.[106]
Gay rights
- George Pataki said during the September 2015 GOP debate that America should not be “a place where religion supersedes the rule of law” and that “when you are an elected official and you take an oath of office to uphold the law, all the laws, you cannot pick and choose or you no longer have a society that depends on the rule of law.” Pataki made these statements in reference to the actions of Kim Davis, a Kentucky clerk who was jailed for refusing to give out same-sex marriage licenses following the Supreme Court decision to legalize same-sex marraige in Obergefell v. Hodges.[94][107]
- In April 2015, Pataki said during an interview on WMUR that the legality of same-sex marriage is a states' rights issue. Pataki explained, "I believe it should be left to the states. Honestly, I think marriage should be between a man and a woman. I honestly think it has religious connotations and I believe marriage is between a man and a woman, but I think that states should have the decision power and the ability to decide themselves. Marriage has never been a federal issue. If New York state and New Hampshire want to have different laws from Texas and Utah, that's perfectly fine. That's America."[108] When asked in 2004 whether same-sex marriages should be performed in New York, Pataki said, "Marriage under New York State law is and has been for over 200 years between a man and a woman. And we have to uphold that law."[109]
- After signing a bill in 2002 that added the words "sexual orientation" to New York's anti-discrimination law, Pataki said, "It's not upstate, downstate, Republican, Democrat, black, white, straight, gay. We are one New York and I think the passage of this bill is another important step in the confirmation of that."[110]
Civil liberties
- When asked his opinion in January 2015 on Governor of New York Andrew Cuomo's pilot program for medical marijuana, George Pataki said, "I don't think it's a step in the right direction. I am not in favor of legalizing marijuana, but having said that, I'm a great believer that the states are the laboratory of democracy. Colorado just legalized it. Let's see what happens."[111]
- In a February 2014 interview on CNBC, Pataki opposed online gambling, warning that it could allow organized crime and terrorist organizations to launder money. Pataki also stated he believes it will "negatively impact families" and individuals shouldn't be able to bet their rent money in an industry that lacks the stringent regulations found in physical casinos.[112]
Recent news
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See also
Footnotes
- ↑ The Boston Globe, "George Pataki to end presidential campaign," December 29, 2015
- ↑ New York Daily News, "George Pataki ‘very seriously’ considering 2016 run for President after trips to New Hampshire, North Carolina," December 16, 2014
- ↑ NPR, "George Pataki Announces 2016 Presidential Bid," May 28, 2015
- ↑ Pataki for President, "Announcement," accessed May 28, 2015
- ↑ The Boston Globe, "George Pataki to end presidential campaign," December 29, 2015
- ↑ Governor George Pataki, "Biography," accessed May 15, 2015
- ↑ Slate, "Ready for Pataki," January 27, 2015
- ↑ The Pataki-Cahill Group, "Home," accessed May 15, 2015
- ↑ Crowdpac, "2016 Presidential Election," accessed July 27, 2015
- ↑ Leadership Project for American PAC, "Candidate's Grades and Comparisons," accessed July 27, 2015
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "Voter Identification Requirements|Voter ID Laws," March 9, 2023
- ↑ The Washington Post, "Do I need an ID to vote? A look at the laws in all 50 states," October 27, 2014
- ↑ Americans for Tax Reform website, George Pataki Signs Taxpayer Protection Pledge to the American People," November 4, 2015
- ↑ U.S. News & World Report "George Pataki Takes His Longest Shot" July 15, 2015
- ↑ The New York Times, "Cuomo Enlists Pataki and McCall to Help With Tax-Cut Plans," October 2, 2013
- ↑ Governor of New York State, "Governor Cuomo Accepts Final Report of the New York State Tax Relief Commission," December 10, 2013
- ↑ FOX Business, "Pataki on Payroll-Tax Cut Extensions," December 11, 2011
- ↑ The Cato Institute, "Fiscal Policy Report Card on America's Governors: 2006," October 24, 2006
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 CNBC, "CNBC Full Transcript: CNBC's 'Your Money, Your Vote: The Republican Presidential Debate' (Part 1)," October 29, 2015
- ↑ National Journal, "The Psychology of the Impossible Campaign: An Investigation Featuring George Pataki," July 24, 2015
- ↑ The New York Times, "A Shifting Financial Landscape," May 14, 1999
- ↑ C-SPAN, "South Carolina Freedom Summit, Former Governor George Pataki," May 9, 2015
- ↑ The New York Times, "Pataki the Deregulator Now Sides With Firmer Control of Hospitals," December 1, 2008
- ↑ George Pataki Leadership Center, "Government Reform," accessed May 11, 2015
- ↑ Governor of New York, "No. 14: Revocation of Executive Order No. 20," April 27, 2011
- ↑ The Washington Post, "Transcript: CNBC undercard GOP debate," October 28, 2015
- ↑ Governor of New York, "Governor Pataki Provides Update on State's Trade Mission to China," September 22, 2005
- ↑ Albany Business Review, "Legislature yanks funds for Pataki's Chinese trade office from state budget," April 10, 2006
- ↑ Public Citizen, "October 2003 Letter from George Pataki to Ambassador Zoellick," accessed May 12, 2015
- ↑ Politico, "George Pataki starts debt group, says he won't run for president in 2012," April 20, 2011
- ↑ FOX News, "George Pataki Announces "No American Debt" On the Sean Hannity Show," accessed May 12, 2015
- ↑ National Review, "Goodbye, George," December 22, 2006
- ↑ New York Division of the Budget, "Governor’s Remarks 2005 Budget Address January 18, 2005," accessed May 12, 2015
- ↑ Comptroller, City of New York, "The Fiscal Impact of 9/11 on New York City," September 4, 2002
- ↑ The Des Moines Register, "Pataki flips stance on Renewable Fuel Standard," September 19, 2015
- ↑ The Des Moines Register, "George Pataki talks about the RFS at Ag Summit," accessed May 12, 2015
- ↑ The Boston Globe, "Ethanol loses its potency in Iowa caucus," March 9, 2015
- ↑ George Pataki Leadership Center, "Agriculture," accessed May 12, 2015
- ↑ Wall Street Journal, "George Pataki Considers a Run for President," April 22, 2015
- ↑ FOX Business, "George Pataki on Welfare Reform," July 19, 2012
- ↑ The New York Times, "Albany's Budget: The Impact; Plan Will Leave Mark on Every Resident," June 3, 1995
- ↑ The Fiscal Times, "George Pataki, ex-NY governor, closer to joining 2012 GOP race," June 23, 2011
- ↑ The New York Times, "City Foots Bill as State Upgrades Pensions," August 22, 2006
- ↑ New York Daily News, "Former Gov. George Pataki backs Gov. Cuomo’s bid for pension reform," February 27, 2012
- ↑ National Governors Association, "New York Governor George E. Pataki," accessed May 12, 2015
- ↑ New York Daily News, "Working Families Party Blasts Inclusion Of George Pataki On Gov. Cuomo's Tax Cut Panel (Updated)," October 4, 2013
- ↑ YouTube, "Gov. George Pataki Opens Spring 2015 RJC Conference," accessed May 13, 2015
- ↑ Twitter, "George E. Pataki, April 24, 2015," accessed May 13, 2015
- ↑ ABC News, "Likely 2016 Candidate George Pataki Says GOP Letter to Iran Was Out of Line," March 12, 2015
- ↑ C-SPAN, "Republican Leadership Summit, Former Governor George Pataki," April 17, 2015
- ↑ Government Printing Office, "Transforming the National Guard: Resourcing for Readiness," April 29, 2004
- ↑ 52.0 52.1 52.2 52.3 FOX News, "Pataki: 'We Need to Attack ISIS Before They Hit Us Here'," February 4, 2015
- ↑ The Alan Colmes Show, "What Would President George Pataki Do," February 5, 2015
- ↑ The Hill, "Former New York governor: Declare cyber war on North Korea," December 21, 2014
- ↑ NPR, "What Edward Snowden On Twitter Could Mean For The Presidential Race," September 29, 2015
- ↑ CNN Politics, "George Pataki calls for Twitter to ban Edward Snowden," September 29, 2015
- ↑ 57.0 57.1 Governor Pataki, "Gov. George Pataki Opens Spring 2015 RJC Conference," accessed May 13, 2015
- ↑ Hugh Hewitt, "Former New York Governor George Pataki on 2016," April 23, 2015
- ↑ The New York Times, "Pataki Spent PAC Money After Opting Not to Run," March 2, 2008
- ↑ The New York Times, "Pataki's in China, but the Briefing Is in Albany," September 23, 2005
- ↑ New Hampshire Public Radio, "Gov. Pataki: Debate Over Importance Of Vaccinations Has Been Settled," February 5, 2015
- ↑ Bloomberg, "Pataki Predicts Obama Will Cave on Ebola Quarantines," October 27, 2014
- ↑ Daily Caller, "Pataki: Trump Is A Distracting Demagogue," August 20, 2015
- ↑ The Alan Colmes Show, "What Would President George Pataki Do," February 5, 2015
- ↑ Newsday, "Pataki: I would've fired Kentucky clerk," September 10, 2015
- ↑ The New York Times, "Lessons in DNA and Mercy," December 29, 2011
- ↑ The New York Times, "No Joke! 37 Years After Death Lenny Bruce Receives Pardon," December 24, 2003
- ↑ MSNBC, "Hardball with Christ Matthews Transcript for Wednesday, August 25, 2010," August 26, 2010
- ↑ The Boston Globe, "Many N.H. Republicans won't care about Mike Pence or his new Indiana law," April 3, 2015
- ↑ New York Post, "George Pataki to join potential GOP presidential candidates at events," March 4, 2015
- ↑ The New York Times, "Pataki Signs Nation's Strictest Gun Controls," August 10, 2000
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedNTYgun - ↑ The Washington Post, "Transcript: CNN undercard GOP debate," December 15, 2015
- ↑ Hugh Hewitt, "Former New York Governor George Pataki on 2016," April 23, 2015
- ↑ Girard at Large, "Governor Pataki Champions States Rights," April 16, 2015
- ↑ The New York Times, "Death Penalty in New York Reinstated After 18 Years; Pataki Sees Justice Served," March 8, 1995
- ↑ Washington Post, "In N.Y., Lawmakers Vote Not to Reinstate Capital Punishment," April 13, 2005
- ↑ New York State Division of Parole, "Frequently Asked Questions," accessed May 13, 2015
- ↑ ABC News, "Off-the-Trail: Birdwatching With Presidential Candidate George Pataki," October 19, 2015
- ↑ WMUR 9 ABC, "Updated: No Labels Problem Solvers convention attracts 8 candidates," October 12, 2015
- ↑ Grist, "Interview: Republican candidate George Pataki says it’s time to talk about climate change," September 25, 2015
- ↑ Council on Foreign Relations, "Independent Task Force on Climate Change," accessed May 14, 2015
- ↑ Council on Foreign Relations, "Confronting Climate Change: A Strategy for U.S. Foreign Policy," accessed May 14, 2015
- ↑ The Eagle Tribune, "Pataki calls for more use of 'green' technology," October 17, 2015
- ↑ Wall Street Journal, "In Sandy's Wake, Time to Upgrade the Power Grid," November 25, 2012
- ↑ New York Daily News, "Fracking can bring good jobs to New York without harming the environment, says former Gov. George Pataki," December 1, 2011
- ↑ Bloomberg BNA, "RGGI Holds Bipartisan Support in Northeast as Climate Change Issues Debated Nationally," September 20, 2013
- ↑ The New York Times, "Best of Both Worlds? Northeast Cut Emissions and Enjoyed Growth," June 6, 2014
- ↑ The New York Times, "Cleanup of Industrial Sites Faces a Question: How Clean Is Clean," April 20, 2003
- ↑ The New York Times, "$30 Million Stalled in Albany Heads to Brownfields Projects," March 24, 2005
- ↑ George Pataki Leadership Center, "Environment," accessed May 14, 2015
- ↑ 92.0 92.1 Newsmax, "Ex-NY Gov. Pataki: Obamacare 'Worst Law of My Lifetime,'" March 25, 2015
- ↑ C-SPAN, "Republican Leadership Summit, Former Governor George Pataki," April 17, 2015
- ↑ 94.0 94.1 Washington Post, "Full transcript: Undercard GOP debate," September 16, 2015
- ↑ NBC News, "Where the GOP 2016 Candidates Stand on Birthright Citizenship," August 18, 2015
- ↑ Politico, "George Pataki will have announcement on White House run on May 28," May 14, 2015
- ↑ City University of New York, "Governor Helps Keep College Affordable for Immigrants," August 9, 2002
- ↑ 98.0 98.1 98.2 98.3 Girard at at Large, "Governor Pataki Champions States Rights," April 16, 2015
- ↑ 99.0 99.1 The New York Post, "Pataki accuses De Blasio of denying schoolkids choices," March 10, 2014
- ↑ The New York Times, "As Expected, New York City Teachers Union Endorses Pataki," October 10, 2002
- ↑ The Politic, "An Interview with George Pataki, Former Governor of New York," September 15, 2015
- ↑ The Washington Post, "Transcript: GOP Aug. 6 undercard debate," August 6, 2015
- ↑ CNN, "Planned Parenthood exec, fetal body parts subject of controversial video," July 15, 2015
- ↑ The Washington Free Beacon, "Here’s How The 2016 Field Responded to the Planned Parenthood Video," July 15, 2015
- ↑ The New York Times, "Pataki's Abortion Stance Draws Fire from Both Sides," June 4, 1994
- ↑ The Wall Street Journal, "Cuomo Administration: Opposition to Abortion Bill ‘Outrageous’," February 25, 2013
- ↑ CNN Politics, "Kim Davis released, but judge bars her from withholding marriage licenses," September 8, 2015
- ↑ WMUR, "CloseUP: George Pataki would bet on 2016 run," April 10, 2015
- ↑ CBS News, "Gay Marriage Debate Intensifies," March 4, 2004
- ↑ The New York Times, "Pataki Signs Law Protecting Rights of Gays," December 18, 2002
- ↑ Bloomberg, "Pataki: Not in Favor of Legalized Marijuana," January 4, 2015
- ↑ CNBC, "Pataki: Online gambling will fuel terrorism, organized crime," February 12, 2014
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