Gingrich tabs Giuliani for N.Y. governor

NEW YORK, April 16 (UPI) -- Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani should consider running for the New York governor's job, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich says.

The Georgia Republican used a New York Republican State Committee annual dinner Wednesday to call on Giuliani, whose U.S. presidential bid failed in the primaries, to run for governor, the New York Daily News reported Thursday.

Gingrich also took time during the GOP dinner to urge former New York Gov. George Pataki to run for the U.S. Senate, giving their political party a chance for an electoral sweep similar to one it enjoyed in 1994.

"If we had Mayor Giuliani for governor and we had Gov. Pataki for senator, we would be a large step towards the tidal wave which will make 2010 comparable to 1994," Gingrich said. "That should be our goal."

The Daily News said while Pataki confirmed he is contemplating a possible senate run, Giuliani said that any 2010 electoral talk surrounding him is premature.