Nov 20, 2007 5:17 pm US/Central
Former Gov. Edgar Endorses Giuliani For President
Rudy Giuliani Vowed In Chicago To Make Illinois A Priority In His Campaigning
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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Illinois former Gov. Jim Edgar endorsed Rudy Giuliani for president as Giuliani made a campaign stop in Chicago.
CBS
Rudy Giuliani is campaigning in Chicago Tuesday and he's vowing to be the first Republican presidential candidate in two decades to campaign hard for Illinois's 21 electoral votes. Giuliani Monday afternoon received the endorsement of popular former Gov. Jim Edgar.
As CBS 2 Political Editor Mike Flannery reports, the former New York City mayor's supporters hope he can help them rebuild the GOP in Illinois.
"I am delighted to offer my support to the next president of the United States, Rudy Giuliani," Edgar said.
His Republican rivals usually fly over Illinois to campaign in earlier-voting states like Iowa. Giuliani, however, is campaigning here, betting he can win Illinois's primary Feb 5 and its 21 electoral votes next November.
"This is a state that hasn't had a presidential campaign, quite frankly, in some time, like my own state of New York and like the State of California," Giuliani said. "I can make a contest out of all those states."
Giuliani and his supporters argue that the former New York City mayor could help rebuild the Illinois GOP, which has been devastated by scandal and by the defection of millions of suburban voters. As does former Gov. Edgar, Giuliani breaks with the national Republican platform to be for abortion rights and tolerant on gay rights. He does embrace his party's strong opposition to new taxes.
"If you elect a Democrat, you will see massive tax increases in this country," Giuliani said. "And that would be devastating for the growth of our economy."
"He could make it a contest here in Illinois," Edgar said. "Now, I have to be very candid with you. If Barack Obama is the Democratic nominee, that'd make it a little tougher. Against Hillary Clinton, I think Rudy Giuliani would do very well."
Edgar challenges the conventional wisdom about Democrats having a strong lead in next year's campaign. He argues that top Democrats in Illinois have badly damaged their party's prospects with all their fussing and feuding in the state capitol. He predicts voters will punish Democratic candidates next fall.
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