OPEN THREAD: GOP Kids' Table Debate

Watch along and weigh in here during the Kids' Table Debate, which begins at 5PM eastern. This and the later debate at 9PM will be streamed live at Fox News, but you'll need your cable system login to watch.

George Pataki: I'm The One To Beat Hillary

George Pataki Announces 2016 Bid

Pataki To Announce 2016 Bid On Thursday

Via Politico:

The Republican has barely registered in national polls of presidential contenders, and faces long odds to be part of the first debate on Aug. 6 in Cleveland. Fox News has said that it will only invite the top 10 candidates based on a national polling average (though it will allow for more candidates in the event of ties). The former three-term governor is putting a lot of importance on doing well in New Hampshire, the first primary state of the election cycle. “I’m a Republican following in the tradition of Teddy Roosevelt who understands that conservatism isn’t just economic policy and but it’s also preserving and enhancing the outdoors,” Pataki said, adding that marriage, gun rights and education should be left up to individual states to decide.

We should start a "first to drop out" pool. I'm betting on George Pataki, followed by Carly Fiorina.

More 2016 Announcements This Month

Former New York Gov. George Pataki To GOP: Shut Up About Social Issues

Via New York State Of Politics:

In the ad released by Pataki’s PAC, the former three-term governor says indulging in a debate over abortion and LGBT rights can only help one person: Hillary Clinton. “It’s simple, if we allow social issues to dominate the conversation, we will elect Hillary Clinton President,” Pataki said. The ad, released by We The People Not Washington, comes as Pataki is preparing to make his eighth trip to New Hampshire as he considers making a bid for the White House. It is not clear how big the ad buy is or where it will ultimately air. Before it was amended, Pataki had blasted Indiana’s religious freedoms law, declaring “there’s no place for discrimination in America.”

Pataki visited a Chipotle on Thursday where he made sure photographers saw him leaving a $5 tip. Wingnut sites spent the last week mocking Clinton for not leaving a tip when her campaign ate lunch at a Chipotle.