Rep. Tancredo Forms '08 Bid Committee

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani gestures as he speaks after receiving the Pete DuPont Individual Freedom Award Friday, Jan. 12, 2007 in Wilmington, Del.(AP Photo/Chris Gardner) (Chris Gardner - AP)

WASHINGTON -- Colorado Republican Rep. Tom Tancredo, an outspoken opponent of illegal immigration, said Tuesday he will form an exploratory committee for a possible presidential campaign.

After making a weekend trip to Iowa, home to the first nominating caucus in January 2008, Tancredo said voters told him other presidential candidates don't share their views.

"They believe that there is a void in this race that none of the other candidates are willing or able to fill," he said.

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DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) _ Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani has hired prominent Iowa Republican Jim Nussle to advise him on his possible presidential run.

Nussle, a former congressman and 2006 candidate for governor, will play "an important leadership role on behalf of the exploratory committee both in Iowa and nationally," Giuliani said in a statement.

Giuliani said Nussle brings valuable skills and a strong political track record in the state where precinct caucuses traditionally launch the presidential nominating season.

Nussle lost the governor's race by roughly 100,000 votes to Democrat Chet Culver. The eight-term congressman announced last week that he was forming a political consulting business.

There are deep philosophical differences between the two Republicans.

Giuliani supports abortion rights and gay rights. Nussle took a strong anti-abortion stance in his campaign and wants a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage.

Nussle said he's focusing on Giuliani's accomplishments and suggested Giuliani's actions after the 2001 terrorist attacks impressed voters who want a strong leader.

Giuliani is among a handful of Republicans who have formed exploratory committees, a move that lets them travel and raise money as they explore seeking the presidential nomination.