Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): snowblower not starting, craftsman snowthrower, sears

Question
I have a Craftsman snowthrower with a 9hp 318cc tecumseh engine with electric start.  I bought it this past summer and it sat in the box until about a month ago.  It was sitting out side under a tarp for the most part but it did get snowed and rained on very recently.  I finally connected the cables, added gas and tried to start it today. Gas came out of the primer button and leaked from other areas.  The tank is not empty (8 hours later).  I tried using the electric start right after I put the gas in and it did not even start to turn over. I waited several hours and tried again when it wasn't leaking gas anymore.  I also tried to start it manual and it sounded like it was trying to turn over but didn't.  It was then that I noticed all the gas had leaked out.  I decided it might have something frozen somewhere that wouldn't have happened if I had used before it got so cold out.  I brought it in the house to thaw out completely and I'll try again tomorrow.  My questions are why did the gas leak out and is there something I'm missing to get it started.  I have the choke on high and the throttle all the way up.  I have the little red key pushed in.

Answer
Kriste
Sounds like the machine has a bad carb, It doesn't matter that you didn't use this at first,There are many engines that sit for months even years that have never been started and they start on 1 -3 pulls. I would bring it back to sears and give it back they will either replace it or repair it. There is a small switch on the snow blower for off or on on the side of the air filter cover or on that side of the machine.