George Pataki in PBS News Hour
On Abortion:
I'm pro-choice, with limitations
Pataki would block late-term abortions and government funding of abortions but otherwise do not tightly restrict access. Defining himself as "pro-choice", the New York Republican has spoken out against
late term abortions and voted against government-funded abortions as a state legislator, but he otherwise opposes restrictions on abortion access for women.
Source: PBS News Hour "2016 Candidate Stands" series
May 28, 2015
On Civil Rights:
Leave rules of same-sex marriage to the states
Pataki would leave the definition of marriage to states. On same-sex marriage, Pataki believes the issue should be left up to the states.
Pataki's personal position on gay marriage currently is unclear. As governor, he did not support gay marriage and has never publically changed his stance.
Source: PBS News Hour "2016 Candidate Stands" series
May 28, 2015
On Drugs:
Let each state decide marijuana legalization
On marijuana, Pataki would let the states decide, but would not legalize nationally, for now.Pataki is a strong state's rights supporter when it comes to marijuana legalization. During an interview with Bloomberg News, Pataki said states like
Colorado should be the testing ground to see if legalization works. Last month, Pataki repeated his support for state-by-state legalization but said there should be tough regulations to ensure children cannot purchase marijuana or marijuana edibles.
Source: PBS News Hour "2016 Candidate Stands" series
May 28, 2015
On Energy & Oil:
Climate change is a real and scientifically proven
Pataki, who co-chaired the Council on Foreign Relation's 2007 task force on the issue, believes climate change is a real and scientifically proven. In his opinion, it is best combated through private initiatives.
The former governor turned environmental consultant opposes government regulation of emissions.
Source: PBS News Hour "2016 Candidate Stands" series
May 28, 2015
On Foreign Policy:
Support West Bank settlements; tough on Iran & Palestine
Pataki would end current negotiations with Iran, and would postpone peace talks with current Palestinian leaders until they recognize Israel.
Speaking to the Republican Jewish Coalition this spring, Pataki called for an end to current negotiations with Iran, criticizing current agreement outlines as not tough enough.
In the same speech, Pataki said the next president should not attempt to negotiation with current Palestinian leaders until they recognize the right of Israel to exist.
In 2002, then-Governor Pataki spoke in favor of another state official's visit to West Bank settlements.
Source: PBS News Hour "2016 Candidate Stands" series
May 28, 2015
On Gun Control:
Ban assault weapons & require trigger locks
On guns, Pataki says states should ban some assault weapons, enact ballistics fingerprinting and place other limits on gun use.As New York governor,
Pataki signed a gun law which banned some assault weapons, required a record of each gun's ballistics, required trigger locks on new guns and raised the legal age of gun purchase from 18 to 21.
Source: PBS News Hour "2016 Candidate Stands" series
May 28, 2015
On Health Care:
ObamaCare is the worst law of my lifetime
Patakai vehemently opposes the Affordable Care Act, calling it "the worst law of my lifetime" in a television interview. In 2010, he created a non-profit, Revere America, dedicated to repealing the new health care law.
(The group was active for the next year and has not posted new material since 2011.) Pataki believes ObamaCare is unconstitutional, that it should be repealed and the federal government should pass a new, "market-based" health care law.
Source: PBS News Hour "2016 Candidate Stands" series
May 28, 2015
On Homeland Security:
Reauthorize the Patriot Act, including collecting phone data
Pataki, who was governor of New York during the 9/11 terrorist attacks, says the National Security Agency should be allowed to continue to collect phone data of Americans to help combat terrorism. On May 20, Pataki tweeted to Rand Paul, "Let's not
forget lessons of 9/11, with ISIS openly recruiting online, letting the #PatriotAct go dark will make us less safe." Pataki has long supported the PATRIOT Act, including the bulk collection of phone metadata by the NSA.
Source: PBS News Hour "2016 Candidate Stands" series
May 28, 2015
On War & Peace:
Consider US combat troops to destroy ISIS
On Islamic State, Patak would consider sending U.S. combat troops. Pataki has said during recent interviews he is open to and may favor the United States sending combat troops to the Middle East to destroy
Islamic State training centers and social media hubs. The White House hopeful also says he would focus on building up the local military and would utilize airstrikes to attack the group.
Source: PBS News Hour "2016 Candidate Stands" series
May 28, 2015
Page last updated: Dec 07, 2018