According to the New York Post, the state's Republican Party is looking to recruit a candidate to challenge New York Governor Andrew Cuomo — and they've already got a name in mind. That's right: it's Donald Trump.
Calling it "the political equivalent of a Hail Mary pass," the Post reports that the state's GOP is "seeking to make the case that while Trump is only an apprentice politician, he’s the only Republican on the horizon who has the name recognition, guts and money" to take on Cuomo. But that's not all. The Post also reports that the Trump drafters are spinning the plum spot in Albany as the perfect launching pad for Trump to launch a campaign for the presidency in 2016.
Surprising absolutely no one, the Post reports that Trump's thus far refrained from refusing the offer.
Asked for comment by The Post, Trump left open the possibility of entering the race and blasted Cuomo, and even Cuomo’s dad, ex-Gov. Mario Cuomo, for their records in office.
He initially said he was “very flattered’’ that top Republicans were promoting his potential candidacy for governor but noted that running for the office was “not something that I’ve ever even thought about.’’
A few hours later, however, Trump followed up with a scathing attack on Gov. Cuomo — for high taxes and his failure to approve fracking for natural gas — as well as on three-term Gov. Mario Cuomo.
Under the current Gov. Cuomo, “taxes are way too high, and people are fleeing New York. We should become the energy capital of the East, and we’re not,’’ Trump said.
“He has the dumbest attorney general [Eric Schneiderman, who has filed a fraud suit against his Trump University] in the United States, who is driving business out of New York and his father, Mario, was one of the worst governors in the history of the state.
“Otherwise, I like him very much,” said Trump, who is expected to comment further on the GOP’s offer in the coming days.
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