Giuliani hints at run for N.Y. governor

NEW YORK, July 31 (UPI) -- Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani says if state Republican leaders do not help improve the state of New York, he may run for governor.

Appearing at a Crain's New York Business Breakfast Forum, the former 2008 candidate for the U.S. presidency said he would only consider a run at the governor's mansion if he felt he can truly help New York, The New York Daily News said Friday.

"If I thought I could make a real difference in the state, really change things ... then I would (run)," Giuliani said Thursday.

"New York is in pretty bad shape," the former mayor offered. "New York still has some essential, inherent strengths. But it does have what appears to be from the outside a dysfunctional government, which is really bad -- they can't do things."

The New York Post said Giuliani joked about how he got elected mayor and how a similar situation could push him toward an election bid.

"I got elected mayor, I believe, on the theory of -- 'It can't get worse.' So if it gets to that point, maybe I'll decide (to go for it)," he said.