June 5, 2007
Posted: 09:56 PM ET

WASHINGTON (CNN) — At the start of the Republican presidential debate, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani was unwavering in his support for the United States' original decision to go to war with Iraq.

"Absolutely the right thing to do," Giuliani said. "It's unthinkable to leave Saddam Hussein in charge of Iraq and be able to fight the war on terror. And the problem is that we see Iraq in a vacuum. Iraq should not be seen in a vacuum. It is part of terrorist war against the United States."

Giuliani also took a jab at Democrats, saying they need to take the threat of Iran more seriously.

"The danger to us is a state like Iran handing nuclear weapons over to terrorists," he said. "So it has to be seen in that light and we have to be successful in Iraq."

–CNN Associate Producer Lauren Kornreich

Filed under: Race to '08 • Rudy Giuliani


Richard Wiseman Santa Monica CA   June 7th, 2007 5:16 pm ET

Let's see an interview on CNN with Ron Paul running again and again, hour after hour. And if yu feel you need to be 'fair and balanced', do the same for the other candidates in the running. Give each of them 10 minutes. Why not, you run 24/7?

Larry   June 6th, 2007 11:13 pm ET

At last nights event Giuliani's Manager had reporters arrested for asking questions and doing a live video feed. If Giuliani was ever elected President what would be done to our freedom of speach? Ron Paul was informed of this and Dr. Paul's reply was "We are trying to bring freedom and Democracy to Iraq and we can't have it in New Hampshire".

Shannon, Elizabeth City, NC   June 6th, 2007 10:39 pm ET

What is Giuliani talking about? If this war on terrorist is so called needed, why don't we just invade other countries and put our laws on theirs. We have already established getting Saddam out and now we should get the troops out of there so Iraq can establish themselves as a country. The last time I checked during the Civil War no one didn't come over and tell us how to handle our problem. As a matter of fact we eventually agreed upon a resolution.

George, Champaign, IL   June 6th, 2007 6:52 pm ET

Which all these negative comments (I have a hard time finding one that is favorable to Giuliani), he's still top of the nation's poll. Things don't add up here.

Douglass, Indianapolis, IN   June 6th, 2007 1:48 am ET

Where are Rudy's facts?

Iraq had no involvement in 9/11, nor any other terrorist attack that I know of.

Of the 9/11 hijackers, 1 was from Lebanon, 1 from Egypt, 2 from the UAE, and 15 from Saudi Arabia.

Several U.S. intelligence officials have said that there is no connection between Iraq or any similar terrorist group. Many resigned from their posts between 9/11 and the war because their intelligence was not listened to by our elected officials.

To say, "It’s unthinkable to leave Saddam Hussein in charge of Iraq and be able to fight the war on terror." That is just dishonest. Iraq was stable when U.S. intervention was reduced in the few years before 9/11. They were not harboring terrorists, nor sponsoring terror. There was no civil war.

Rudy wants us on the "offensive" against terror, but his definition of terror has nothing to do with threats to Americans.

Alex, Glendale, CA   June 6th, 2007 12:01 am ET

Why was invading Iraq the right thing to do? Because Saddam Hussein was a bad dictator? So why don't we invade Saudi Arabia and all the other countries with tyrants in charge?

By the way, doesn't it bother anyone that all these tyrants used to be American puppets? Giuliani needs to read some history before he shows up for the next debate.

Andrew, New York, NY   June 5th, 2007 11:38 pm ET

I've lived in NYC for 45 years, long before Rudy arrived, and after experiencing his reign as King of New York I cannot comprehend how anyone could even consider a vote for Rudy. And I'm a Republican. But, as one of his royal subjects, what would I know?

Fugheddaboudit!

Earnie, Bethalto IL   June 5th, 2007 11:31 pm ET

Iran was always the threat and ignoring it for 8 years did nothing but make us weaker and that radical country stronger. A comment like this candidates illustrates why we need new and younger people running this country.

Andrew, Washington, DC   June 5th, 2007 11:01 pm ET

Ron Paul made the point about Vietnam in the previous debate, where Rudolph foolishly declared that our foreign policy has nothing to do with 9/11. Anyone with such an absurd opinon really shouldnt run for President of the United States. Vote for Ron Paul!

Revo, JAX, FL   June 5th, 2007 10:47 pm ET

lets just wait till iran awakes the sleeper cells to destroy israel and create more havoc around the world forcing his prophecy to a fulfillment. And then we might consider nuking them to its knee.

Pershing Wells, Houma, LA   June 5th, 2007 10:43 pm ET

Mr. Giuliani is the reason I could NOT vote Republican. They've lost touch with reality. Iraq is a breeding ground for 'terror' BECAUSE of this war. Only the blind could see otherwise.

J. Franklin   June 5th, 2007 10:37 pm ET

Rudy will only give us more of the same aggressive foreign policy nightmares. Ron Paul is the only option for a conservative anti-war voter. He will bring change to Washington, not just pandering, empty rhetoric. I will vote for him as a write-in candidate if I have to. Hopefully, I will not have to.

Michael, Fort lauderdale, Fl   June 5th, 2007 10:29 pm ET

Rudi Giulliani is wasting his time, energy and not to mention, his money running for president. After watching the debate, I think he a radical republican. He does not fit in the Presidential profile at all." If it doesn't fit , you gotta quit " Rudi.

Chris, Hyattsville, MD   June 5th, 2007 10:25 pm ET

Thats real easy for a guy who got 3 draft deferments and who's son is not in the military to say. Didn't he also say that now we're friends with Vietnam? Yeah after we left.

LiWei.C, Queens, NY   June 5th, 2007 10:24 pm ET

and Giuliani is absolutely an idiot that is not in touch with reality.

Anthony from Norristown, PA   June 5th, 2007 10:10 pm ET

I think Ghouliani's warmongering is sickening. His lies about what he knew about 911 disturb me as well. I am ashamed he even Italian.

F Douglas, Brooklyn, NY   June 5th, 2007 10:09 pm ET

The bridge to nowhere, that is where the GOP is going; absolutely nowhere. Let’s burry the nuclear waste in their backyards.

Rich providence ri   June 5th, 2007 10:01 pm ET

Well he said Terror no less than 6 times and he looks like he cannot wait to start nuking Iran just like all the others except Ron Paul if their first respose isnt diplomcy Then they are not worthy of holding the highest office in the country

Dave, Naples, NY   June 5th, 2007 9:59 pm ET

Both Democrats and Republicans are on the same page with this war profiteering. Only Doctor Ron Paul has the real solution. Stop the Republocrats and support the only real alternative! Doctor Ron Paul! :)

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