USA: Former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani lends support to fellow Republican running for state senate as speculation about his own political intentions grows

Throwing his support for a fellow Republican running for New York state senate, former New York city mayor Rudolph Giuliani on Monday (February 5, 2007 night said he would give an announcement "sooner rather than later" over his White House ambitions. Giulani was in Long Island to back Republican nominee for New York state senate Maureen O'Connell. Earlier on Monday, Giuliani refiled papers with the Federal Election Commission establishing a committee to explore a presidential bid, which allows him to raise money, travel and hire staff. "It's a big step," Giuliani told reporters in New York. "It's faster than we anticipated, but we still have to think about a formal announcement." The new paperwork removed the phrase "testing the waters" from the statement of candidacy Giuliani originally filed in November. An FEC spokesman said the move had no real legal significance. Giuliani said the move put him in the same position as rivals like Arizona Sen. John McCain and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. "If I were going to bet like you bet on the Super Bowl, I would bet that we are going ahead," he said. The move could be timed to calm growing doubts among Republicans about whether he is serious about a White House run in 2008. While Giuliani leads eight other Republican in many national polls, there has been growing speculation he might not run. He faces an uphill battle winning over conservatives who wield considerable influence in Republican primaries because of his stance on some social issues, including his support for gay rights and abortion rights. Giuliani became one of the party's most popular figures for his tough leadership after Sept. 11. He has been loyal to President George W. Bush, backing his plan to send more troops to Iraq. Giuliani, who earned millions as a consultant and motivational speaker since leaving office and was popular on the Republican fund-raising circuit in 2006, has said he is evaluating his finances and support for a White House bid.

ITN Source | February 6, 2007

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