October 10, 2007
Posted: October 10th, 2007 04:05 PM ET

The two fierce rivals for the 2008 Republican presidential nomination do not disagree on everything.

(CNN) – An increasingly bitter fight between Republican presidential candidates Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney moved Wednesday from taxes to national security, with both campaigns portraying the other as indecisive.

The latest skirmish between their campaigns is playing out by e-mail. The Giuliani camp is attacking Romney for an answer he gave he gave during Tuesday‘s CNBC/Wall Street Journal GOP debate on whether Congressional authorization would be needed for military action against Iran.

Romney said, “You sit down with your attorneys and tell you what you have to do, but obviously the president of the United States has to do what's in the best interest of the United States to protect us against a potential threat.”

The Giuliani campaign called it a “lawyers test for national security.” And the Giuliani campaign’s news release this morning said, “Sound familiar? Another Massachusetts politician also wanted a national security test”, comparing to 2004 Democratic nominee John Kerry’s “global test” comment. The global test became a favorite GOP attack line, portraying Kerry as weak on national security.


And taking a page from that ’04 campaign, the Giuliani campaign trotted out an expert to paint Romney in that same light.

“Going to war is the most serious decision a president can make,” former U.S. Atlantic Fleet commander, retired Admiral Robert Natter said in the release. “Lawyers should not debate while our national security is on the line. In these momentous decisions, we need leadership, not litigation.”

Natter is supporting Giuliani’s bid for the White House.

But the Romney campaign launched its own attack on Giuliani, saying he was vague and indecisive in his answers on Iran. As Romney criticized Giuliani at a morning stop in Royal Oak, Michigan, his campaign pointed to Giuliani’s answer on whether Congressional authorization would be needed when he said, “it really depends on exigency of the circumstances and how legitimate it is.”

Romney spokesman Kevin Madden fire off this zinger. “On the question of authorization and action against Iran, Mayor Giuliani offered the most muddled and puzzling response of anyone on the debate stage, preferring to rely on a vague explanation.”

– CNN Political Desk Manager Steve Brusk

Filed under: Mitt Romney • Rudy Giuliani


Jeremy Orlando, FL   October 11th, 2007 4:07 pm ET

I love how people still use the "magical pajamas" (Howard Stern isn't exactly a qualified Mormon doctrine expert) and multiple wives references (CLEARLY has been illegal and not practiced by the LDS church since 1890, more than a CENTURY ago).

Let's start talking about the real issues.

Chris, Middletown, CT   October 11th, 2007 12:48 pm ET

Still baffling how the left forgets that Hillary voted for the war – anyway – the country is done with the right wing....and the country is also done with the left wing (and a socialist) – so....that leaves Giuliani – the only moderate running...he will be president for that fact alone....liberals start thinking up your excuses as to why the election was stolen from you (you have time ...make it a good one...blame CO2...its apparently a catchall for you guys)

Sahwn   October 11th, 2007 10:49 am ET

YOU WANT ANOTHER BUSH PRESIDENCY AND ANOTHER WAR THEN VOTE FOR RUDY.

David Erlichman   October 11th, 2007 10:22 am ET

Why is that noone is discussing why neither Rudi or Mitt or Fred served in Vietnam when their country was at War?

Simon Templar   October 11th, 2007 6:47 am ET

So, the children are at it again. These two are acting like a pair of seven year olds. I have no problem with a candidate pointing out the failings/shortcomings of another candidate, but this is getting ridiculous. Instead of them telling us what they are going to do for the American people if elected President, they keep taking pot shots at each other.

I want to know where Mitt, Rudy and the other candidates stand on the issues and what they are going to do if elected. These two are starting to become nothing more than an ever growing distraction. The question is if Mitt or Rudy gets elected will he be a bigger distraction once in office than he currently is.

As for everyone who goes on and on about fighting Islamic terrorism, I thought terrorism was a tactic much like Blitzkrieg or carpet bombing. The majority of the little fish are willing to die after having been thoroughly indoctrinated by the bigger fish. The majority of the bigger fish are nothing more than fascists. Fascists who have found a way to use Islam to get what they want. It would seem to me that we are fighting Islamic Fascists who use terrorism as their tactic of choice.

Bharat Jashanmal, Manama, Bahrain   October 11th, 2007 5:57 am ET

It is amazing that Giuliani and his team are now acting as if he was the 9/11 hero, and that no other mayor would have reacted as he did when the tragedy struck! What does he think that any mayor of any city in the US (or indeed any mayor any where in the world) would have done if his/her city had been attacked, irrespective of their political persuasion? Simply standby?

Ivan, Chicago, Illinois   October 11th, 2007 12:37 am ET

I'm befuddled when did Giuliani become this great expert on fighting Islamic terrorism. When he had the chance by being a member of the Iraq Study Group, he was more interested in making money by giving speeches. And his excuse that he left the Iraq Study Group because he was going to run for the Presidency makes no sense. Running for the Presidency does not mean you have to recuse yourself like a judge has to in a case before when there maybe a conflict of interest. Having been a member of the Iraq Study Group would have a positive not a negative, for being President.
If every time both Giuliani and Romney changed their position on an issue, and they aged one year they would both be over one hundred years old.

Mike Longview, TX   October 11th, 2007 12:01 am ET

Hey Chris in CT–I hear ya!
Rudy Guiliani will make a great president!
Now when exactly is Hell going to freeze over?
HILLARY '08

Terry Armenta, Bellflower,CA   October 10th, 2007 11:41 pm ET

Both of these jokers will be a Democrats dream. A cheating husband, vs a flip flopper. Aren't Republicans the ones who shove family values down everybodys throats? And don't they hate flip floppers????

Mike Longview, TX   October 10th, 2007 10:59 pm ET

Hey Chris in CT, I am with you about Guiliani becoming President. Now when exactly is Hell freezing over?!?

Dan (Baltimore, MD)   October 10th, 2007 9:27 pm ET

Mitt Romney must be getting really desperate. Rudy Giuliani's answer made perfect sense. Poor Mitt probably didn't understand the word exigent, which describes circumstances requiring quick action. So, Rudy simply agreed with everyone else. If the president needs to use military action quickly and for a clear threat, then that must be done without Congressional authorization. Anything where time can be used, the president must seek authority. Make sense Mitt? Can you now tell us how this was different from most of the answers?

Greg, Phoenix, AZ   October 10th, 2007 8:46 pm ET

All the attacks on Ron Paul ... it tells me one thing, none of you have read the Constitution in a long time ... if ever. You really do not know the issues. What you do know, very well, is exactly what Fox News wants you to know.

I am a Democrat (a former Republican) and very hopeful Ron Paul supporter.

John from America   October 10th, 2007 8:00 pm ET

What an interesting partnership those two would make – President/Vice-President, let's see if Rudy agrees to move the White House to Salt Lake City, Mitt will allow Rudy to keep all his wives!

Isaac, Washington, DC   October 10th, 2007 7:25 pm ET

Comparison to Kerry? OH NO HE DIDN'T!

Tom Dedham, Mass   October 10th, 2007 7:08 pm ET

Romney might seem like Kerry (i.e., both have no clue and Romney especially doesn't understand Constitutional Law based on the debate yesterday), but Giuliani seems like the type to smile and promise you the world while holding a knife behind his back.

They're both unfit for office.

Posted By Marshall, Atlanta, GA : October 10, 2007 4:11 pm

Actually "Marshall" he understands it exactly, he like many others just doesn't agree with it, as he used the "line item veto pen" while Governor of Mass quite smartly.

The President should be able to use that power, but with needed oversight so one can't play games or play favorites.

After Romney wins, it will be back and for the betterment of the country due to out of control spending on BOTH SIDES.

Shawnie - Grants Pass, OR   October 10th, 2007 6:50 pm ET

Giuliani shows short-sighted selfishness towards his wives, his children and again towards America with the wonderful "constitutional" murder of the line-item veto. So he got NYC 200 million back at the expense of putting back 200 trillion waste back into the government. And we're supposed to cheer because hey, he defeated Clinton...yes and every other president and taxpayer thereafter. Moron.

laurinda,ny   October 10th, 2007 6:34 pm ET

ARBY, ARIZ. What kind of a name is that. Did your mother name you after a so called restaurant. Ron Paul isn't even in the running.

grant   October 10th, 2007 6:32 pm ET

Heh...does it really matter who gets the Republican nomination when you're so hopelessly tied to the war? They're destined to play the role of Hubert Humphrey, either way.

Matt Baker, Boston, MA   October 10th, 2007 6:21 pm ET

Who cares if Romney is comapred to Kerry or Guliani is compared to Bush. These are outdated candidates and Americans will be fooled again for the 3rd Bush term if any of these jokers are elected in 2008.

JKap, Schaumburg, IL   October 10th, 2007 6:19 pm ET

How about a "Constitutional Test"? You know, the part about Congress having exclusive authority to declare war.

RA The Framing Wizard LV, NV   October 10th, 2007 6:17 pm ET

Maybe they both should just give up on their efforts for the nomination; take the rest of the century off and go out to celebrate their losses and have a couple of glasses of Quats. Liquid fungicides that attack decay organisms. The quat preserve is used in swimming pool chemicals, shampoos, hospital mop washes, and many other human contact applications.

SB, Topeka, KS   October 10th, 2007 6:10 pm ET

Mitt, can I borrow your magic pajamas or is one of your wives already borrowing them?

F. Thompson, Hollywood, CA   October 10th, 2007 6:07 pm ET

Honestly, I am more worried about Romney being too influenced by his wives or making bad decisions because of his magic, secret, special pajamas. He's going to look silly wearing those in the Oval Office.

E. Elliott, Orlando, FL   October 10th, 2007 5:07 pm ET

Obviously neither of these guys are fit to be in the oval office. If Romney were half the man that Kerry is that would be a step in the right direction. Then I would need to see his plan to kick out the 12 million criminal immigrants, fully fund social security, Medicare, Medicaid, protect veteren's benefits, refocus the war from Iraqi oil back to terrorism and paying off the deficit. But the GOP, except Ron Paul seems to think that stay the course should be the new name given to the same old trickle down ecomonics which have failed so dramacitcally for too long. The dem's are little better, but Biden hit the nail on the head when he said the Old Rudi is the least well informed of the whole bunch. He may be as clueless as Bush for that matter. A pox on both their houses, we need a slot for none of the above on the ballot. If no one gets a clean majority, they all get banned for one election cycle and the election is reheld in 60 days.

Brendan H., San Antonio, TX   October 10th, 2007 5:02 pm ET

Kerry was weak on national security?

He ended up being correct; and he correctly stated that Bush waould have no clue on how to fix an international mess as well.

KP, Virginia   October 10th, 2007 4:50 pm ET

And as for the "no available evidence to support keeping them around anymore" comment, I beg to differ. How about this significant bit of evidence, summed up in one word: "Hillary"! If we don't elect a Republican to the presidency, she is who we'll end up with! That's scary. I trust the Republican candidates much more to ensure a strong economy, a strong military, and strong families.

S, Orlando, FL   October 10th, 2007 4:49 pm ET

Is Ghouliani actually going to get specific on why he's so great when it comes to national security or is he just going to take cheap shots at a man who isn't even running?

Andre' J. Perrin, Richardson, TX   October 10th, 2007 4:47 pm ET

Sounds like the pot calling the kettle black

A Keyes, Baltimore, MD   October 10th, 2007 4:22 pm ET

I'm more concerned about his descision making skills while wearing his secret magical pajamas or undue influence from his wives. Maybe he and Giulinazi can have a contest to see who can have the most wives. I'm betting on the mormon.

Joe in NC   October 10th, 2007 4:15 pm ET

I guess Giuliani has finally realized that he hasn't won his party's nomination yet.

Marshall, Atlanta, GA   October 10th, 2007 4:11 pm ET

Romney might seem like Kerry (i.e., both have no clue and Romney especially doesn't understand Constitutional Law based on the debate yesterday), but Giuliani seems like the type to smile and promise you the world while holding a knife behind his back.

They're both unfit for office.

Cameron F, Redondo Beach, CA   October 10th, 2007 3:52 pm ET

I agree with ArbyH... where is Ron Paul mentioned here? I have more faith in CNN as being "fair and balanced" than some of the other networks... eh emmm...

Giuliani and Romney do not embody the true Republican spirit. Neither does this current administration. Ron Paul has hit the nail on the head every time he has answered a question. Instead of allowing the "front runners" to hog the spotlight, why not listen to public opinion, which demands the very things from a candidate that Ron Paul embodies? Ron Paul is a true Republican, not just a "Republican"

Chris, Middletown, CT   October 10th, 2007 3:49 pm ET

Mr President (Giuliani) -very good....the only moderate running....he will be a great president...can't wait!

Mike, NYC, NY   October 10th, 2007 3:47 pm ET

Would it be wise for the Romney camp to call Guliani, "Former Mayor Guliani" instead of "Mayor Guliani"? Guliani's not Mayor of NYC anymore.

ArbyH Bisbee Arizona   October 10th, 2007 3:36 pm ET

All of the Republican and Democratic party front runners are just reflections in a Bilderberg multinational sponsored pool of puppets and deceit.
If you want a strong America first Constitutional Republic as our fore father's saw it, true freedom, a non-interventionist foriegn policy then you want a leader with the will to tell the truth and stand for America first. The individual with America at heart is Ron Paul.
Does CNN cover Ron Paul well enough, or just the front runners? The debate gave the front runners plenty of time and follow up, but cut off the others....blatantly wrong CNN.

scott, manchester NH   October 10th, 2007 3:13 pm ET

let them have their fun..the GOP is OUT of business come Nov 08...there is no available evidence to support keeping them around anymore...

laurinda,ny   October 10th, 2007 3:10 pm ET

Well this bit of news certainly doesn't look very good for the Republicans. Their two top candidates are squabbling over issues. Hopefully, people will see how they are acting and decide that something is wrong with both of them. The only bright one they had was Duncan Hunter and they were to stupid to push him out front.

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