Tommy Thompson to Endorse Giuliani

By LIZ SIDOTI – 1 hour ago

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican presidential hopeful Rudy Giuliani will pick up the endorsement Friday of former GOP rival Tommy Thompson, a one-time Midwestern state governor.

"Rudy Giuliani has shown that he is a true leader. He can and will win the nomination and the presidency. He is America's mayor, and during a period of time of great stress for this country he showed tremendous leadership," Thompson, the former Wisconsin governor, said in a statement obtained by the Associated Press.

The former New York mayor is to accept the endorsement in South Carolina later Friday.

Thompson is the first former 2008 Republican presidential candidate to endorse in the race, and officials familiar with details of the political courting involved said Giuliani's top rivals also sought his support. But Thompson recently told Giuliani he'd get the nod after several weeks of conversations.

Thompson, the Health and Human Services secretary in President Bush's first term, entered the crowded GOP presidential field early this year only to spend several months struggling to raise money and gain traction in early voting Iowa, New Hampshire and elsewhere. He was overshadowed by another, unrelated Thompson who was not even in the race at the time, but who was polling far stronger than the ex-governor, former Tennessee senator Fred Thompson.

The lesser-known Thompson dropped out of the race in August after finishing sixth in an Iowa test vote measuring organization and popularity in the state that holds the leadoff caucuses.

Unclear is the impact of Thompson's support for Giuliani. On one hand, Giuliani could use the endorsement to try to mollify skeptical Iowans and other Midwesterners who are concerned about his moderate-to-liberal stances on social issues, pointing out that a prominent Republican from their backyards is supporting him.

On the other hand, Thompson left the race because voters weren't gravitating toward him and he doesn't bring with him much support in early voting Iowa and elsewhere. He languished in single digits in polls there, and barely registered in national surveys while in the race.

The new Rudy Giulaiani fundraising letter came in the mail last Friday.....
So the new letter is interesting in that it states that Rudy Giuliani is always ranked 13% ahead of all other GOP candidates. It also firmly puts Hillary Clinton down as his main opponent, not the other contenders in the GOP race. Doesn't he have to beat them first???

The letter spends several paragraphs on HC, her plans, and why she will be President without a strong GOP candidate. Of course that must be RG according to this letter.....interestingly the campaign also says that HIllary's campaign has been targeting Rudy's campaign...none of this is information that has been widely shared...which begs the question, is it true?

Continue reading "Rudy Swipes for $$" »

The Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee today announced that former U.S. Congresswoman Patricia Saiki will serve as the campaign’s Hawaii Chair. Saiki will be joined by Councilman Charles Djou and former State Representative Sam Aiona, who will serve as State Vice-Chairs.

“Rudy is a true leader that has proven he has the executive experience to be President,” said Saiki, the only Republican to serve Hawaii as a U.S. Representative in Congress. “The people of Hawaii want a strong leader they can trust, and he is the one candidate that we know we can trust to run the country.”

“The Mayor is generating support from all over the United States, and he is the only Republican that can harness that support into a victory in the general election,” said Giuliani’s National Deputy Political Director Rick Wiley. “We are honored to have such distinguished Republican leaders in Hawaii supporting Rudy.”

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The Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee today announced the endorsement of the U.S. Airport and Seaport Police, a member of the International Association of Airport and Seaport Police (IAASP).

“Mayor Giuliani’s record of leadership speaks for itself, especially the remarkable resiliency he displayed in the days following September 11th as he worked side-by-side with police officers,” said U.S. Airport and Seaport Police Director Jay Grant. “There is no candidate more qualified or more capable of providing the assertive and common-sense leadership our nation needs to protect our borders – whether air, land or sea – from threats abroad.”

In June, IAASP presented Mayor Giuliani with the first annual Fred V. Morrone Award during the 38th annual International Port Security Conference held in Washington, D.C. The award is given in memory of Fred Morrone, the Superintendent of the New York and New Jersey Port Authority Police Department who died in the terrorist attacks of September 11th. It is awarded to individuals who have displayed outstanding leadership and contributions in helping to strengthen our nation's airport, seaport, cargo and transportation security.

“Mayor Giuliani’s years of public service have demonstrated his commitment to protecting our nation at its most vulnerable points,” said Grant. “He was a friend of Fred Morrone and continues to honor his legacy by making America safer and by supporting the law enforcement community throughout the nation.”

“It is a great honor to accept the endorsement of the U.S. Port Police,” said Mayor Giuliani. “These men and women understand the challenges we face in protecting our homeland and everyday they risk their lives for their fellow Americans. We thank them for their important work.”

The US Airport and Seaport Police is part of a worldwide organization dedicated to mutual cooperation in setting the highest standards of safety, security and law enforcement for the transportation of persons and property through the world’s airport and seaports.

Pelham, SC – The Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee today unveiled the national leadership team for First Responders for Rudy at the Pelham-Batesville Firehouse in Pelham, South Carolina. The team will be led by National Chair Howard Safir, who previously served as both Police and Fire Commissioner for New York City. Joining Safir on the national team are U.S. Congressman David Reichert (R- WA) and S.C. State Firefighters’ Association Executive Director Jim Bowie.

Reichert, a former Sheriff in King County, Washington, will serve as National Chair of Law Enforcement for Rudy. Bowie, who worked at the South Carolina Fire Academy for 16 years, will serve as National Chair of Firefighters for Rudy. In addition, the Mayor’s campaign announced National Co-Chairs for Firefighters for Rudy and Law Enforcement for Rudy. Team members represent law enforcement and firefighter communities from states across the country including Iowa, Florida, South Carolina and Illinois.

“Mayor Giuliani is a strong and principled leader,” said Safir, who served under Giuliani. “I saw firsthand his leadership in helping transform a crime-ridden New York City into the safest large city in our nation, while increasing preparedness by opening the city’s first Office of Emergency Management. He has always shown uncompromising courage in the face of challenges. I am proud to lead First Responders across America who support Rudy for President.”
“Mayor Giuliani has a proven record of supporting firefighters. As Mayor, he implemented policies that improved firefighters’ safety and preparedness. Firefighters across the nation are supporting Mayor Giuliani because they admire his leadership and support his vision for our country,” said Bowie.

Congressman Reichert, a leader on law enforcement issues, added: “I admire Rudy Giuliani for his determination, courage, strength and ability to find real solutions to tough problems. As New York City’s Mayor, he implemented the CompStat program to help police be proactive in fighting crime. The Mayor will be a leader for law enforcement and for our country; a leader who not only pledges to find solutions, but also demands our government be held accountable and show results for the American people.”

Joining Safir and Reichert at today’s announcement were first responders from across South Carolina. In the coming weeks, Team Rudy is expected to announce first responders’ leadership teams at the state level.

About Rudy’s First Responders Coalition:

New York City – The Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee announced today that former U.S. Representative Scott Klug and former state Senator Cathy Stepp will serve as co-chairs of the Mayor’s campaign in Wisconsin.

They will join former U.S. Senator Robert Kasten in leading Mayor Giuliani’s campaign efforts in Wisconsin.

“These two additions to the Mayor’s campaign team show the strength of support for Rudy Giuliani in Wisconsin,” Kasten said.

“Mayor Giuliani has shown the kind of strong leadership that the people of Wisconsin want in their next president – not just on 9/11 and the days following, but over eight years as the Mayor of New York who reduced taxes, cut crime rates, and strengthened the city’s economy,” Klug said. “President of the United States is not a learn-as-you-go position, and Mayor Giuliani has the most public executive leadership experience of anyone running.”

Stepp added: “I am eager to help promote Mayor Giuliani’s 12 Commitments to the American People, which include keeping us on offense in the Terrorists’ War on Us, cutting taxes, giving us more control over our health care, and protecting the quality of life for our children. Mayor Giuliani is the only Republican who can compete in all 50 states in the general election.”

The campaign announced earlier this month that Kasten would serve as state chairman. Kasten also serves as a senior member of the campaign’s Foreign Policy Advisory Board.

About The Wisconsin State Co-Chairs:

The Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee today announced New Hampshire Business Leaders for Rudy. The team will help spread Rudy’s commitment to cutting wasteful government spending, restoring fiscal discipline and lowering taxes.

“Rudy Giuliani is famous for improving New York City’s quality of life. Cutting taxes and eliminating red tape was a key component of that effort,” said Greg Stowell, sales manager with Crown Point Cabinetry in Claremont, who is backing Rudy. “The approach that was successful in New York will be successful for small businesses in New Hampshire and across the nation when Rudy gets to Washington.”

Mayor Giuliani discussed his commitment to cutting taxes and fiscal discipline at a forum in Manchester on Saturday. He was joined at the event by several New Hampshire taxpayers, who highlighted the importance of low taxes to the state’s families and businesses. Giuliani continued his discussion of fiscally conservative policies during visits to Stratham, Seabrook and Portsmouth.

During his eight years as Mayor of New York City, Giuliani helped stimulate the local economy by cutting taxes 23 times and turning a $2.3 billion deficit into a multi-billion dollar surplus. As part of Rudy’s 12 Commitments to the American People, the Mayor pledges to restore fiscal discipline to Washington, while cutting both wasteful spending and taxes.

New Hampshire Business Leaders for Rudy:

When it comes to how the Republican candidates are doing against each other in their own primary race in Pennsylvania, Giuliani still maintains a huge lead over the rest of the field, coming in with 31% In second place is with 13%, then another non candidate, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich with 9%. Thomposn is the Republic who has really slipped in the ratings, coming in with 8% now compared to 14% at the beginning of August. And last comes former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, with 7%, which is a 3% increase for him.

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MANCHESTER, N.H. -- Presidential hopeful Rudy Giuliani plans today to unveil his proposed tax policy, which would permanently kill the so-called marriage penalty and death tax.

In a speech prepared for this morning, Giuliani will tell voters he is the best option to help them have more control over their money. As part of his standard stump speech, the former New York mayor reminds voters he cut taxes 23 times.

"Today, every single one of the Democratic presidential candidates is promising a massive tax hike on the American people," Giuliani will say in the remarks. "The most important thing to understand about this issue that the Democrats just don't understand: your money, your choice."

The cornerstone of Giuliani's campaign has been tax cuts, greater freedoms over spending, and less government. He plans to tell voters they face $3 trillion in tax increases over the next decade unless tax cuts are made permanent -- something most Democrats have opposed. He also plans to advocate for a permanent child tax credit and lower marginal tax rates.

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By PAMELA STALLSMITH

Rudy Giuliani's presidential committee will announce today the expansion of its Virginia leadership team, whose state chairman is former Attorney General Jerry W. Kilgore.

Joining "Team Rudy" as the state campaign's co-chairs are state Sen. Jeannemarie Devolites Davis, R-Fairfax; Del. Terrie L. Suit, R-Virginia Beach; state Sen. Frank W. Wagner, R-Virginia Beach; and former Attorney General Richard Cullen.

"Rudy is the candidate with the proven record as the real fiscal conservative, and Virginians support his vision for our country," Kilgore said.

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