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Rudy Giuliani, America's Mayor, fades into history

Dan Janison

10:24 PM EST, January 29, 2008

Rudolph William Louis Giuliani, 63, a well-off and well-known citizen with residences in Manhattan and the Hamptons, faces a resumption of private-sector life -- as lawyer, businessman, consultant, and social celebrity.

Throughout his yearlong presidential adventure, undoubtedly aware this day could come, the former New York City mayor stayed linked to his partnership and law firm, taking hits on some of the clientele and leaving a key business in the trusted hands of his longtime friend Peter Powers.

And as a self-styled brand name, Giuliani has preserved useful bridges. Sure he spent months playing Twister with his record as mayor, put out ads that missed, and drew the kind of harsh scrutiny that the more sensitive candidates complain about.

But His Honor is expected to retain a player's stake in a GOP White House. For the most part, Giuliani kept it friendly with Sen. John McCain, whom supporters expect him to endorse -- some consoling themselves Tuesday night with hope of a vice presidential slot for the New Yorker.

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Early on, the two GOP candidates traded kudos. One nasty skirmish arose when McCain talked up the Kerik indictment, and the Giuliani camp responded with the senator's worrisome role years ago in the Keating Five bank scandal.

That exchange became water under the bridge six days ago when McCain volunteered during a debate: "I know this is unusual ... but I happen to know Rudy Giuliani.

"I happen to know he's an American hero."

McCain might have known more than that -- like where Giuliani stood with Florida's Republicans, and who he'd endorse once he dropped out.

Things cannot go back to being the same for Giuliani. Unquestioned TV adulation, lecture tours and book deals that followed the 9/11 attacks have faded. Any political capital conferred to any player in the aftermath of these unprecedented, monstrous terrorist attacks appears long since depleted.

It may seem awkward for Giuliani's partnership to be touting strategic advice so soon after his own election campaign bombastically declared itself bold, innovative and visionary -- and promptly burst on the market like a modern-day Edsel.

On Dec. 31, the campaign released a "strategy memo" titled "Looking Good."

"Our rivals seemingly have built campaigns based on the old calendars' strategies," the missive said. "Putting a high priority on spending our time and money in a proportional basis in Florida and the large delegate states voting on Feb. 5 is clearly the right thing to do.

"We clearly have a winning plan to secure the nomination in an election cycle unlike any other. History will prove us right."

It was downhill from there.

Even the mayor's best-selling 2002 book "Leadership" -- adorned with gushing "Mayor of the World" quotes from Time magazine -- seems to have proved a bit perishable.

"A leader must manage not only results but expectations," he wrote. Like, say, claiming in your mailings that you're the only alternative to a new Clinton presidency?

"Surround yourself with great people," he wrote. Like, say, a soon-to-be-disgraced former police commissioner (whose next federal court date is a week from today)?

"Prepare relentlessly," he wrote. Like, say, by blowing off one key early primary and trying to downplay your efforts in the next?

Now someone else might wish to follow his sound advice.