« Previous | Main | Next »

Giuliani: Sad to Leave Race; McCain 'Best Choice'

January 30, 2008 5:00 PM

ABC News' Jan Simmonds reports:  Former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani told reporters during a flight from Texas to California this afternoon that he was disappointed not to stay in the Republican race but that he was proud to be supporting Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.

"It's disappointing to lose a race for president because you believe you're the best candidate, but I had made it clear before I had to make this decision who I thought the other best candidate was," said Giuliani.  "I think I made it clear during a debate that if I had not been running, I would be supporting John McCain. So I'm not running, and I'm supporting John McCain and he is far away the best person to be the commander in chief of the United States."

Giuliani, who has confirmed but not officially announced that he is dropping out of the presidential race, is expected to formally declare his intentions and endorse Sen. John McCain later today at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, the site of this evening's GOP Debate.

"It has great significance to do this at the Reagan Library, for me and for John McCain," he said.  "And Ronald Reagan had a high regard for John McCain.  John McCain also sees Ronald Reagan as his hero.  So we share that very much in common.  Obviously it is fortuitous that we can do it there,  since the debate is gonna be there tonight."

Giuliani said he did not know who approached whom about the endorsement idea, but that both campaigns had been talking for some time about the possibility if the results in Florida turned out as they did.

During the days leading into the February 5 Super Tuesday contests, Giuliani said he plans on stumping for McCain, likely in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and possibly California. 

"I offered that to him and he said he would like us to do that," he noted.

During his chat with reporters, the one time national frontrunner admitted that his risky strategy, of focusing on big delegate states and while being less competitive in the smaller earlier states, was not the right course.

"Obviously the strategy didn't work.  So we're going to go back and try to figure out why," he said.  Giuliani continued, "I believe, although I haven't had the chance to review it, it was...the only strategy available to us.  Could we have done it in a better way?  We'll think about that."

Asked why he was supporting John McCain and not any of the other GOP candidates, Giuliani said he was convinced McCain was the best choice. 

"This is not a why not Mitt Romney or Mike Huckabee. I admire both men," Giuliani explained. "I went through a unique experience with them for a long time. I have grown to respect them. I am convinced that John McCain is the best choice for president of the United States."

Will Giuliani run for public office again?  He said it was too early to tell, but that he planned to remain active in both the private and political sectors.

"I'm not thinking about public office right now. I never make 'never' statements. I found in life, when you make a never statement, you could still change your mind, but you have it up on YouTube nowadays," he said with a laugh.  "All I can tell you is my intention is to be in private life. I am gonna give some thought to exactly how."

January 30, 2008 in Dodd, Chris, Hunter, Duncan, Thompson, Fred | Permalink | User Comments (8)

User Comments

Posted by: freeman | Jan 30, 2008 5:22:18 PM

Posted by: Mary | Jan 30, 2008 6:13:44 PM

Posted by: Haifa | Jan 30, 2008 6:21:06 PM

Posted by: wake up! | Jan 30, 2008 6:40:14 PM

Posted by: moe | Jan 30, 2008 7:48:32 PM

Posted by: John | Jan 31, 2008 9:50:00 AM

Posted by: Amanda | Feb 4, 2008 11:48:09 AM

Posted by: lena | Sep 24, 2008 5:16:40 PM

Post a comment

Name:

Email Address:

URL:

Remember personal info?

Comments: