Giuliani: Hillary Clinton's tour helps GOP's Senate chances

From CNN Correspondent Frank Buckley

August 20, 1999
Web posted at: 12:18 a.m. EDT (0418 GMT)

ENDICOTT, New York (AllPolitics, August 19) -- Before a gathering of the Republican faithful Thursday, New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani said he would be the "hometown favorite" if he decides to run for the 2000 New York Senate seat.

He also said that the recent "listening tour" of the state by likely Democratic nominee Hillary Rodham Clinton has helped the GOP's quest to pick up the seat, being vacated by Democratic Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan.


Giuliani

"I think this process has helped to reduce the amount of support and put a lot of focus on her to have to answer issues and have to answer questions," Giuliani said.

"Since the Democratic Party doesn't seem to be able to produce a candidate that comes from New York for some reason, I'm the hometown favorite," the mayor said during an outdoor "steak roast" fund-raiser in upstate New York.

Organizers said the annual event was attended by 3,700 guests -- among them, Rep. Rick Lazio, a Long Island Republican who has also expressed interest in running for the Moynihan seat.

Pressure on Giuliani to announce intentions

In an effort to avoid a destructive GOP primary battle, New York's leading Republican officeholder, Gov. George Pataki, recently asked Lazio to defer an announcement on whether to run until Giuliani makes up his mind.

New York's Republican chairman, William Powers, says he would like Giuliani to decide by August 31 whether he will run.

"We have a lot of work to do. We have got to get out and do that work," Powers said. "And it's always easier raising money with a candidate than it is with somebody that might want to run."

But in remarks to reporters Thursday, Giuliani indicated he would make his decision on his own timetable.

"I really don't think it's a good idea to have deadlines," Giuliani said. "I'm going about the process in a very, very thoughtful and I think methodical way -- trying to gather the support, gauge the support, make sure we have the proper amount of money and political support."

"When the time is right, we'll make the decision," Giuliani said.

Lazio downplays talk of GOP division

Lazio refused to say what he planned to do if Giuliani doesn't announce his intentions by the end of the month.

"I think I'm doing exactly what the governor asked me to do. He specifically asked me not to drop out," said Lazio, who said he is continuing to travel across the state while he considers his next move.

But Lazio downplayed the possibility that a divided GOP would wound the party's chances of winning the seat.

"We are going to be unified as we take on Hillary Clinton," he said

Lazio and Giuliani did not encounter each other at the fund-raiser as they did on August 16, during an event in Saratoga Springs in which Giuliani reportedly extended his hand and said, "How are you doing?"

Lazio reportedly awkwardly responded, "I'm doing fine. I'm doing fine."

Also at Thursday's event, Giuliani responded to questions by reporters regarding Gov. George W. Bush's refusal to definitively answer questions about past drug use.

"I agree with the separation of a person's private life from their public duties," Giuliani said. "He's already proven in public life all the things you need to know to make him a qualified candidate for president."

Giuliani did not, however, make a formal endorsement of Bush.

CAMPAIGN 2000

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