Giuliani wins backing of conservative senator 51 minutes ago
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Republican presidential hopeful Rudolph Giuliani, fighting to gain conservative support in the 2008 race, won the backing of a Southern senator on Monday despite their disagreements on hot-button social issues.
"It's very clear to me that he's not running for president to advance some liberal social agenda," U.S. Sen. David Vitter (news, bio, voting record) of Louisiana said at a news conference with the former New York City mayor.
Giuliani leads a crowded Republican presidential field in early opinion polls, but the party's influential conservative wing has been suspicious of his past support for abortion rights, gun control and gay rights.
Vitter, a conservative freshman senator, said he disagreed with Giuliani on those issues but was won over by his "strong unwavering leadership and sound judgment" and by assurances he would not appoint "activist" federal judges who created new law from the bench.
"I am absolutely convinced that Rudy will appoint the best judges out of all the candidates," Vitter said.
Giuliani has acknowledged differences with conservatives who play a big role in party primaries on his social stands, but says bigger issues of terrorism and fiscal discipline are at stake for Republicans in the 2008 race.
"There are going to be disagreements in the party, but those two big themes unite us," he said. |
