(CNN) - Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani tells CNN that he's thinking about running for governor of New York next year, but that's as far as he's going right now.
Asked by CNN's John Roberts on American Morning if he's seriously considering a gubernatorial bid, Giuliani said "I'm thinking about it but I don't know if I'm at the point of seriously considering it. It's a little too early."
Giuliani, who spent much of 2007 and the first month of 2008 running for the Republican presidential nomination, is often mentioned as a possible contender to take on incumbent Democratic Gov. David Paterson in next year's contest.
Recent polls of New York State voters indicate that if the election where held today, Giuliani would beat the unpopular Paterson. But surveys also suggest if New York State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo were the Democratic nominee, Cuomo would beat Giuliani in a hypothetical general election match up.
Last Wednesday Giuliani fueled speculation that he is considering a run for governor with a high-profile op-ed in the New York Times. Giuliani denied the op-ed - in which he proposes a series of measures to fix the state's gridlocked government - was meant to be a signal he is actively interested in running for governor in 2010.
"I know how to send signals, if I wanted to I would do it." Giuliani said. "I am not leaning [in either direction]."
In the op-ed, which Giuliani says is "not a partisan criticism," the former Republican presidential candidate calls for a statewide constitutional convention to institute a series of reforms, including changes in the budgeting process, term-limits for law makers, and campaign finance reform.
– CNN's Paul Steinhauser and Alexander Mooney contributed to this report
From CNN Politics
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no no not this man
Cuomo beats Giuliani in a landslide. Therefore, Giuliani will decline to run for Governor. There is no story here.
A noun, a verb and 9/11....don't you realize you have nothing else to give! GO AWAY!
It's too early to look upon the devil.
Please Mr. Giuliani, Do not run for governor or anything for that matter. You are the most overrated politician in the history of politics. If you run for governor of NY, you will make me into a liar as I will be forced to vote for the current governor.
Go away - no one cares about you – you are vile, and that is only what is fit to print.
Glad, once again and always, that I don't live there.
I used to like Guiliani until I saw his snide, sneering, and mean- spirited address at the RNC during the McCain campaign.
Surely he has made enough money off of the 9/11 tragedy by now. So I suppose he will run.
Maybe when he is governor he will actually paint a red bulls eye on his emergency command center.
Will Bernie Kerik run the State Police Department?
Giuliani is yesterday's news. Andrew Cuomo, like his father before him, is a dedicated and talented public servant. I hope he'll decide to run – New York can use his talent at the helm.
Oh please, spare us another 9-11 campaign from Guiliani, who made the most of an attack he should have stopped. He has nothing else to run on, evidently.
Perfect Republican candidate. Three wives, girl friends, affairs, children that don't speak to him. Perfect Republican
Perfect Republican candidate. Three wives, girl friends, affairs, children that don't speak to him. Perfect Republican
He might be a good governor candiate if he got rid of the fringe elements of the hardcore republicans party. Once he associates himself with these fringe elements and the people are reminded of how much dislike anyone outside their party, he will loose. Though, I would like to see him run because he might just fix NY State but he must distance himself from the fringe elements of his party.
Give it up, Ru911dy.
Just go away quietly. Please. Do it for New York.
He might be a good governor candiate if he got rid of the fringe elements of the hardcore republicans party. Once he associates himself with these fringe elements and the people are reminded of how much they dislike anyone outside their party, he will loose. Though, I would like to see him run because he might just fix NY State but he must distance himself from the fringe elements of his party
***When is lowlife Guiliani going to repay the $400,000 he stole from taxpayers for extra security for trips to his mistress? (while his wife and kids were back at the governor's mansion). What a scumbag.
With Giuliani conducting such a horrible campaign, making such ridiculous statements while running for president cannot imagine one of any intelligence voting for him.
Grudgingly admit he did an ok job during 9/11 but that was his only moment of positive fame although there are many firefighters, police etc that will not agree with that.
Welcome to the rat race Mr. X Mayor. Funny how things and time has changed; t'was not long ago you said a community organizer had little chance against a big city mayor.
Well...that organizer is now President; did you get that memo? You are up against a foe that will be hard to beat if he only places his hat in the ring. Can you hear that sound Mr. X Mayor? That's the sound of Attorney General Andrew Cuomo knocking on your door step.
It's called inevitability; the sound of a lost cause, the sounds of never under estimating the guy you think is a small fry. I bet you never received the memo!
the guys a joke! tried to act like a hero on 9/11 and it backfired, we do not want him as our Gov. Fa-get about it
Go for it, Rudy!!
We've got your back.
58,000.000 Americans did not vote for Obama/Biden. NY has a reputation to be a blue state, yet there's a huge amount of people who have our heads in the RIGHT place & our HEARTS beat RED, WHITE & BLUE.
WE ARE A FORCE THAT CAN'T BE IGNORED!!!That's why Biden was wishing that it was SARAH who had "disappeared" (ha-ha)!
WE'RE HERE & WE'RE HERE TO STAY. AMERICA BELONGS TO THOSE WHO LOVE HER.
Remember, liberals, 58M, last Nov.
58M PLUS a couple of ten million more next election. And we only Vote ONCE!!
i think you have a better shot at dog catcher. a community organizer made you look stupid, what is a real politician going to do to you?????? lol
what a joke he should run and find a rock and crawl back under it
Oh really? This is not news CNN, he wants to be president, why wouldn't he run for the governorship?
Also, is he going to start his campaign in Florida. That's a sure fire way of winning New York. He should do exactly what he did in the prsidential election. That would suit me fine.
For the record, any man who leaves his wife and kids for a mistress, is not fit to run for office. I didn't approve of Clinton's behavior and I don't approve of Rudy's. Practice what you preach people.
The idea of Gov. Guiliani is so sickening...I think I just threw up a little bit in my mouth just typing that.