Mingling With The Women to Help Her Man

All of which may matter some in the long run, especially if Giuliani gets the Republican nomination, but seems to matter not at all right now, in the City Club of Washington at Franklin Square. This is a friendly crowd made up mostly of well-dressed, handsome women, who call the former nurse and philanthropic fundraiser a "humanitarian." They like her, and she loves them. She draws enthusiasm from their enthusiasm.

"Who starts out their political career at the presidential level?" said Rudy-and-Judi supporter and friend Susan Molinari, the former New York congresswoman. "It's got to be very daunting."

And, as if to inoculate herself from criticism, Judi says, "I am new to politics" -- once, twice, three times. But there is no doubt she knows how to work a crowd.

How do you soften the image of a fellow like Rudy Giuliani, who has nurtured a reputation as tough on crime, tough on terror, tough-tough-tough? (And what about that temper! So not Midwestern.) As Molinari points out, if the former mayor becomes the Republican nominee and New York Sen. Hillary Clinton clinches the Democratic vote, Giuliani will need to appeal to women in a big way. And if so, Judi Giuliani will find herself doing a lot more events like this one.

Massaging the image. Making him more . . . accessible to women.

Thus, Giuliani tells the crowd not only about her husband's strength on national security issues, but of his more personal side.

"The Rudy I know combines a tough mind and a tender heart," she says. "He loves life and he loves laughter."

Really. Rudy. Tender heart?

She tells the crowd that "Rudy and I" have made trips to "oh gosh, over 37 countries," and that her husband has an "intellectual curiosity" and an ability to listen and "have his mind changed."

And after her speech, she and Molinari lock arms.

Judi Giuliani has had a tough summer, but "she's back and she did beautifully," Molinari says.

"The reality of the matter is politics is a tough game," Giuliani herself says when asked about the criticism she's received. She and Rudy endured 9/11, she says, and his bout with prostate cancer.

"My definition of rough is probably a little bit different from yours."

That broad smile never leaves her face for long.