Change Preferences | Sign Out
TODAY'S NEWSPAPER
Subscribe | PostPoints
SEARCH:
washingtonpost.com
Web
| Search Archives

Thompson Backs One-Time Rival Giuliani

By BRUCE SMITH
The Associated Press
Saturday, October 13, 2007; 12:55 AM

CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Tommy Thompson endorsed his one-time GOP presidential rival Rudy Giuliani on Friday, saying the former New York mayor can unite the nation _ and beat Hillary Rodham Clinton. "I want a candidate who can lead and bring America together," Thompson said with Giuliani by his side in this early voting state.

"I want a candidate that's going to be able to stand up and be able to win the Republican primary and take on Hillary Clinton and win," added Thompson, the first former 2008 Republican candidate to make an endorsement.


Republican Presidential hopeful Rudy Giuliani shakes hands with supporters during a campaign stop at Spill the Beans coffee shop Thursday, Oct. 11, 2007, in Greenvillle,S.C.(AP Photo/Mary Ann Chastain)
Republican Presidential hopeful Rudy Giuliani shakes hands with supporters during a campaign stop at Spill the Beans coffee shop Thursday, Oct. 11, 2007, in Greenvillle,S.C.(AP Photo/Mary Ann Chastain) (Mary Ann Chastain - AP)

TOOLBOX

Resize Text

Save/Share +
Print This
E-mail This

COMMENT

Discussion Policy
CLOSE
Comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions. You are fully responsible for the content that you post.

Thompson, a former Wisconsin governor, served as secretary of Health and Human Services during President Bush's first term. In his presidential race, he struggled to raise money and gain support.

"I was a candidate for president of the United States, and I'm sure most of you didn't even know it," he said to laughter from a crowd of about 150.

Still, he said he got to know the other candidates during his brief run.

"Rudy Giuliani is a leader," Thompson said. "What I like about him is he is a reformer," he added, saying Giuliani cut welfare rolls, reduced taxes and reduced crime in New York.

The two don't agree on some issues, however. Giuliani supports abortion rights, for example.

"If in fact I have to wait around for the perfect candidate _ I thought it was me and I lost _ I'm going to have to wait another five years," Thompson said.

Giuliani said that while he was mayor he borrowed ideas Thompson used in Wisconsin.

"His endorsement means a great deal politically. His ideas mean a great deal substantively," Giuliani said.

The former mayor could use the Midwesterner's support to try to mollify skeptical Iowans and others worried about his moderate-to-liberal views on social issues.

But Thompson himself didn't have much support in Iowa, languishing in the single digits in polls.


CONTINUED     1        >

© 2007 The Associated Press