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Back on the campaign trail?

Giuliani plans swing through Iowa to stump for GOP candidates as some wonder if trip is part of presidential bid

BY GLENN THRUSH | NEWSDAY WASHINGTON BUREAU

March 23, 2006

WASHINGTON - Rudy Giuliani is dropping into Iowa for a GOP fundraiser May 1 - just two weeks after his pal and potential 2008 presidential rival Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) makes a similar pilgrimage to the crucial caucus state.

It's Giuliani's first major political appearance in months: His relative inactivity had led to speculation that he's leaning against making a presidential bid despite polls showing him atop the 2008 Republican heap.

The former New York City mayor, who stumped for the Bush-Cheney ticket in Iowa two years ago, hasn't ruled out a run for the White House.

"I don't think it is mere coincidence that the mayor and Sen. McCain will almost be crossing paths in Iowa," said GOP consultant Nelson Warfield, who was former Sen. Robert Dole's spokesman during the 1996 presidential campaign.

"Who knows if Rudy is really running, but it certainly behooves him to have people thinking he will, and this is the kind of trip that accomplishes that."

Iowa, home to the first-in-the-nation January caucuses, has already been visited by a handful of presidential hopefuls, including Gov. George Pataki, who's made no fewer than five trips there in two years.

Giuliani will keynote a dinner for House Budget Committee chairman Jim Nussle, who is running for governor. He's also planning a fundraiser for the Iowa state party and a motivational speech in Des Moines.

When asked whether the Iowa trip has anything to do with a possible White House bid, Giuliani spokeswoman Sunny Mindel said, "The conclusion that should be drawn is that he supports Jim Nussle. ... As Rudy has said, right now he is focused on helping Republicans get elected in the midterm elections."

McCain, who is developing a nationwide grassroots network for a likely run, will be keynoting a $100-per-plate Nussle lunch on April 13 in Cedar Rapids and will attend events in Dubuque and Des Moines.

Recently, McCain's allies have poor-mouthed Giuliani's chances, saying the pro-abortion-rights, pro-gay-rights, pro-gun-control ex-mayor would be trounced by the more conservative McCain.

Nussle's campaign is drawing attention from party leaders, including President George W. Bush, who will headline an April 11 fund-raising dinner.