Giuliani goes to the mat for Bush

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, speaking of "the kind of president I will want to be," rallied California Republicans on Saturday with praise for President Bush and a declaration that victory over terrorism is "the great moral issue of our time."

Giuliani, who earned renown for his leadership after the World Trade Center attacks, drew cheers from delegates at the California Republican Party convention by evoking the courage of rescue workers on Sept. 11, 2001, and calling for new resolve in the war on terrorism.

Giuliani never formally announced he was running for president, yet concluded his speech by saying: "You get to decide who that leader is going to be. I wish you would decide on me."

His appearance at the convention at the Sacramento Hyatt Regency came as California political leaders are contemplating moving the state's presidential primary up to February, potentially supercharging the Golden State's clout in the race for the White House.

In Sacramento, Giuliani defended Bush as a courageous figure in the fight against terrorism. And, meeting reporters after his speech, he strongly dismissed any discussion of a military pullout in Iraq.

"I think in a time of war, you don't talk about pulling out," said Giuliani, who didn't take a position on the president's recent call to increase forces in Iraq.

"The worst casualties occur usually with retreating armies. I don't know if it is productive to talk about timetables and pulling out. You just create more jeopardy for our troops."

In his speech, Giuliani attacked the debate in Congress over a nonbinding resolution opposing the troop increase in Iraq.

He added: "Presidents can't do nonbinding resolutions. Presidents have to make decisions and move the country forward, and that's the kind of president I will want to be."

Asked when he would formally announce his candidacy, Giuliani said: "If you go back to my speech, I think I may have. I'm not sure."

On Monday, Giuliani filed a "statement of candidacy" with the Federal Election Commission, but his campaign has said a formal announcement will come later.