Giuliani Invokes Reagan, Enlists Wife To Woo Conservatives

WASHINGTON — Rudy Giuliani went before a gathering of skeptical conservative leaders and activists Friday to pitch himself as the presidential contender who could make "tough decisions."

The Republican former mayor of New York, hailed as a hero for his leadership after terrorists struck his city on Sept. 11, 2001, made no apologies for his liberal stands favoring abortion rights, gun control and gay rights as he addressed the annual Conservative Political Action Conference here.

Avoiding his obvious differences with the right wing's coalition of social, economic and national security groups, Giuliani instead repeatedly invoked the words and optimism of President Ronald Reagan, the conservatives' most enduring hero.

"We don't all agree on everything," Giuliani told the conservatives, as he argued that he stands with them on the principles of spreading freedom, cutting taxes and reducing welfare.

He reminded them of one of Reagan's sayings: "My 80-percent ally is not my 20-percent enemy."

Giuliani drew occasional cheers and standing ovations, and some in his audience said that they won't rule out supporting him.

"I'm more conservative than he is," said Judy Gorgaez, an insurance agent from Pittsburgh. But she said Giuliani's positions on national security could win her over.

But Des Moines, Iowa, radio talk show host Jamie Johnson faulted Giuliani for skipping any discussion of social issues, including marriage or morality.

"He hit a single, not a home run," Johnson said.

Giuliani, who has recently soared in the early polls for the 2008 race, and the other Republican "front-runners" all have had difficulty finding approval among many conservatives.

Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, who spoke to the conference shortly after Giuliani, repeatedly used the term "I" and "us" to describe himself as a fellow conservative who, having reversed past positions, now shares their views against abortion and gay rights.

Romney invited his wife, Ann, to the podium to announce that they would soon be celebrating their 38th wedding anniversary. She called him an "extraordinary husband" and an example to their five sons.

The scene was a not-so-subtle reminder of other leading Republican candidates, including the thrice-married Giuliani and the twice-married Sen. John McCain of Arizona.

McCain was conspicuous for his absence at the annual gathering. Mentions of the senator's most famous legislation, restrictions on big money contributions to political campaigns, sometimes brought boos from the attendees, many of whom criticize the reform as a restriction of free speech.

Romney promised to repeal the campaign finance law if he is elected president.

However, Romney came in for some ridicule for changing many of his positions in recent years so that they are now in line with the right wing.

"He's flipped on every fundamental conservative issue," said Josh O'Brian, a student from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, who arrived at the conference costumed as "Flipper" the dolphin and a Romney sign.

"At least Giuliani is consistent," he said.

Some speakers, including veteran conservative leader and direct mail pioneer Richard A. Viguerie, urged conservatives not to back any of the top candidates but to hold off for some of the long-shots who are closer to their thinking.

Christian conservative Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kansas, former Virginia governor Jim Gilmore and Rep. Tom Tancredo, a Colorado Republican who is a foe of illegal immigration, also spoke to the gathering. But none has gained traction so far.

The conference is set to end Saturday with a straw poll showing presidential preferences and closing remarks from former House speaker Newt Gingrich, the Georgia Republican who remains a favorite of conservatives, some of whom say they hope he will become a candidate for 2008.

William Lauderback, vice president of the American Conservative Union which helped sponsor the annual gathering, said of the Georgian: "I hope Newt Gingrich runs. He brings such an enormous intellectual perspective to the Republican debate."