News
GOP needs to make room 'for everybody,' warns NYC mayor
By Lee Bandy, Knight Ridder
(COLUMBIA) -- New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani said Wednesday that
Republicans should make room for moderate viewpoints in the GOP presidential
field.
"We need the biggest tent possible," he told a news conference at the
state GOP headquarters. "There's room in the Republican Party for everybody."
He was joined by S.C. Republican Chairman Henry McMaster, who had invited
the mayor to attend a "Victory '98" reception, a party fund-raising event, at
his Columbia home.
Giuliani is a potential presidential contender for 2000. He is considered
a long shot at best, however. The mayor favors abortion rights and gay rights,
two stances that make him anathema to social and religious conservatives who
play an important role in Republican politics, particularly South Carolina's
first-in-the-South primary.
Several gay activists carried signs outside the event at McMaster's house
near the USC campus, thanking the mayor for signing a law extending domestic
partnership rights to same-sex couples in New York City.
"We're just hoping they will set a place for us at the table in the
Republican Party in South Carolina," said Tony Snell, president of the S.C.
Gay and Lesbian Pride Movement.
In spite of Giuliani's views on such issues, McMaster said if the mayor
chose to run for president, he could be nominated.
"I would urge him to consider running," the chairman said. "He has a
superb record as a prosecutor. He's a premier crime fighter. He's a thinker.
He's wise. And I think he would make an excellent candidate . . . South
Carolina voters would vote for someone who has reduced crime like the mayor
has in New York."
Giuliani was mum on the presidential race.
"I haven't thought about it very seriously," he said.
The mayor refused to rule out a run for higher office when he won
election for a second term.
Giuliani compares his views to Republican governors such as Christie Todd
Whitman of New Jersey, Pete Wilson of California and George Pataki of New
York.
He said there are about 30 or 35 Republicans who might run for president.
Any of them would be better in the White House than Vice President Al Gore or
any other Democrat, the mayor said.
Giuliani said the GOP needs to broaden the debate in 2000 to consider all
points of view. He acknowledged the party had its disagreements over abortion
and other social issues. But he said there is a lot of room in the GOP for
those who have different viewpoints on very personal matters.
Giuliani said he was traveling the country to help raise money for the
party and strengthen its base for 2000.
"Rudy is an outstanding member of our team," McMaster said.
The mayor called for an open debate on divisive issues without writing
people out of the party.
While here, the mayor chose to talk about those things that unite
Republicans. He promoted smaller government, welfare-slashing and tough-on-
crime measures. He said Republicans agree on more than they disagree.
Giuliani praised GOP Gov. David Beasley for standing up to the video-
poker industry. The games destroy people's lives and families, he said, and
create a climate for organized crime.
In response to a question about the Confederate battle flag that flies
above the State House, the mayor again praised Beasley for the "courageous"
stand he took in calling for its removal. However, when asked if it should
come down, Giuliani said that was a state matter and he was not going to tell
South Carolina what to do.