Fmr Gov Pataki (R-NY) on Donald Trump’s candidacy: “He has 99 percent name ID. But, ultimately, people are going to want someone who can bring the American people together.”
Today on CNN’s Reliable Sources, 2016 GOP Presidential hopeful, former Governor George Pataki (R-NY), joined host Brian Stelter to discuss whether Trump should withdraw from the race, how Trump is hurting the Republican Party, and what he believes should be highlighted in this election.
Reliable Sources airs Sundays, 11 a.m. to noon (ET).
Video & Text highlights and a full transcript from the show are available below.
MANDATORY CREDIT for reference and usage: “CNN’s RELIABLE SOURCES”
VIDEO:
Pataki on Trump in the limelight
TEXT HIGHLIGHTS:
Fmr. Gov. George Pataki (R-NY) on whether Donald Trump should withdraw from the GOP presidential primary race: “I’m not going to tell Trump what to do, but I should tell other Republicans that his candidacy is an absolute travesty and it’s hurting the Republican Party. And it’s not just what happened at the debate. He started out by slandering an entire group of people because they look different and sound different. He slandered our POWs. This is not being politically correct to not speak like this. We’re referring to basic decency. His candidacy, in my view, shouldn’t have been taken seriously from the beginning. I know the American people and Republicans are going to reject it and want somebody who can actually lead.”
Pataki on what should be highlighted in this election: “…this election should be about who is going to protect us from radical Islam, who is going to get our economy growing again, who is going to end the crony capitalism in Washington where the powerful and rich get all the breaks and the average American gets the short end of the stick, and who can govern successfully. I ran a very deep blue state for 12 years successfully, bringing people together. That’s what we need as the next president. Not some theater. That’s not right. Not reality show. Not candidates setting their hair on fire so they can get on TV because that’s all you guys talk about. They want to hear about who can lead this country forward and that is me.”
FULL TRANSCRIPT:
THIS IS A RUSH FDCH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BRIAN STELTER, CNN HOST: Let’s hear from another rival of Trump’s now. Joining me is a presidential candidate and former New York governor, George Pataki.
Governor, thanks for being here. I have to ask you — should Trump, at this point, drop out of the race?
GEORGE PATAKI (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I’m not going to tell Trump what to do, but I should tell other Republicans that his candidacy is an absolute travesty and it’s hurting the Republican Party. And it’s not just what happened at the debate. He started out by slandering an entire group of people because they look different and sound different. He slandered our POWs. This is not being politically correct to not speak like this. We’re referring to basic decency. His candidacy, in my view, shouldn’t have been taken seriously from the beginning. I know the American people and Republicans are going to reject it and want somebody who can actually lead.
You know, Brian, we don’t need government as reality show. We need grown-up government. That’s what I hope to bring to this campaign and to the White House.
STELTER: You say we need it, but he is leading in the polls. Presumably he’ll still be doing well when the polls from after the debate come out. So what does that tell you about the Republican Party and about grassroots conservatives?
PATAKI: You know, Brian, it’s the summer before the election. This is theater. He has 99 percent name ID. But, ultimately, people are going to want someone who can bring the American people together. Brian, I’ve never seen us more divided as a people. And that is destructive of America. And one of the things I want to do is reach across party lines, Republicans and Democrats working together to solve problems.
You know, the world is on flames — in flames. People don’t have the jobs that they want. People doubt the future of America. We’re talking about this. This is nonsense. This isn’t who is auditioning to be head of the next reality show. This is about who is going to be the next president of the United States. I know I’m up to that job.
STELTER: It may be nonsense —
PATAKI: That’s why I’m running.
STELTER: It may be nonsense, and yet Trump himself keeps talking about the blood comments. He said he meant Megyn Kelly’s nose. You have daughters, I wonder if you have discussed his comments with them.
PATAKI: We all know they are reprehensible. In my view, just one of many reasons why Donald Trump is unqualified and unfit to be president of the United States. But, Brian, this election should be about who is going to protect us from radical Islam, who is going to get our economy growing again, who is going to end the crony capitalism in Washington where the powerful and rich get all the breaks and the average American gets the short end of the stick, and who can govern successfully.
I ran a very deep blue state for 12 years successfully, bringing people together. That’s what we need as the next president. Not some theater. That’s not right. Not reality show. Not candidates setting their hair on fire so they can get on TV because that’s all you guys talk about. They want to hear about who can lead this country forward and that is me.
STELTER: He has a lot of hair to set on fire, though. And I do wonder if this is going to be with us for a long time. Governor, thank you for setting the table with us this morning. I appreciate it.
PATAKI: Thank you, Brian. Good being on with you.
###END INTERVIEW###