SEATTLE – The man who guided New York City with a firm hand following the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, endorsed Republican senatorial candidate Mike McGavick on Monday, saying he will ensure the federal government acts to prevent future assaults.
“We are going to be at war for some time fighting terrorism. We need senators who understand the need to be on the offensive against terrorism,” former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani told reporters before attending a cocktail reception at the Sheraton Hotel.
Giuliani criticized incumbent Democratic Sen. Maria Cantwell for voting against the recently signed law spelling out rules of conduct for military tribunals and interrogations of suspected terrorists.
“That vote is probably indicative of a lack of understanding of what is needed to protect us against terrorist threats,” he said.
Congress enacted the law after the Supreme Court ruled unconstitutional the policies the Bush Administration had used in its handling of suspected terrorists.
Opponents of the law argued the new law will also be rejected by the nation’s high court because it denies certain rights to those being held, including in some cases the right to confront their accusers.
“This was a vote about principles, not about politics,” said Amanda Mahnke, a Cantwell campaign spokeswoman. “This is an example of Maria Cantwell standing up for what she believes in, refusing to step aside and let a bill be railroaded through Congress because of blatant political maneuvering.”
The war in Iraq also dominated Giuliani’s comments to 300 people attending the $1,000-a-person event, which padded McGavick’s campaign billfold and provided a shot of energy to loyalists entering the final month of the campaign.
Giuliani said troops should not leave Iraq until the government there is capable of fighting terrorists.
But if control of the House of Representatives or Senate switches to Democrats, “there will be an enormous push to cut and run” from Iraq, he said. That would give terrorists “another great victory. We have to defeat them.”
Giuliani won election as mayor in heavily Democratic New York City in 1994. His fame skyrocketed and his stature as a national figure was sealed in the wake of the terrorist attacks.
His calm demeanor and steady hand of leadership became one of the enduring memories amid the bedlam left by the horrific attacks.
Though Giuliani left office three months later, he’s remained in the political limelight and is exploring a possible run for president in 2008. He and U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. are consistently at the top of polls of potential GOP hopefuls.
On Monday, he focused on the political future of McGavick.
He praised McGavick’s experience in business earned through leading Safeco Insurance and his knowledge of Washington, D.C. learned as a chief of staff to former U.S. Sen. Slade Gorton.
Giuliani said McGavick’s backing of lower taxes, including elimination of the inheritance tax, is a “fundamental difference” between him and his opponent.
Cantwell continues to lead in this race. A spate of recent polls shows her maintaining an 8 to 10 point advantage.
On Thursday, the two will meet in a 30-minute debate in Spokane. It is their first face-to-face session with a second final debate next week.
Reporter Jerry Cornfield: 360-32-8623 or jcornfield@heraldnet.com
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