Former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani told CNBC Thursday evening that he’s “absolutely” open to running for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination.
“I will take a look at 2012,” Giuliani said. “It’s really a question of, can I play a useful role? Would I have a chance of getting the nomination? Those are things that I’ll have to evaluate as the year goes along.”
Giuliani ran for president in the 2008 primaries and earned high ratings in early polls, but ended up withdrawing from the race. Giuliani served as mayor during the September 11, 2001 World Trade Center terrorist attacks and took an active role in rebuilding New York City in the aftermath.
The New York Post reported earlier this month that Giuliani had been gathering political advisers for a possible 2012 run.
In response to the Post article, Giuliani told MSNBC, “Of course I keep [a possible 2012 run] in the back of my mind.”
[WATCH: Giuliani on CNBC]