Giuliani ponders run for governor

NEW YORK, Aug. 25 (UPI) -- Former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani is considering a run for governor of his state next year, Republican strategists said.

Giuliani reportedly plans to make his decision within 60 days after examining whether he can be elected and what impact a gubernatorial campaign would have on his lucrative consulting business, The New York Times reported Tuesday.

Giuliani, 65, a Republican who unsuccessfully ran for president last year, believes public anger with the dysfunctional leadership in Albany and anxiety over the sour economy mean he's needed in the statehouse, sources close to Giuliani told the Times.

Giuliani suggested as much at a business breakfast this month in New York.

"If I thought that I could make a real difference in the state, really change things and it really needed me, then I probably would do it," he told business leaders.

In the meantime, Giuliani is sounding out Republican leaders throughout the state, many of whom are urging him to run, the Times reported.