(CNN) - Rudy Giuliani hailed former Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio Monday as the "one candidate that [Florida Republicans] can trust" to uphold conservative values in Washington.
"This is an easy choice in this race," the former New York City mayor said at a press conference in Miami before a gathering of Rubio supporters. "This is an easy choice for a Republican because he is the one candidate that we can trust to represent Republican principles in Washington and remain a Republican if he goes to Washington."
Rubio will face Florida Gov. Charlie Crist in the GOP senatorial primary in late August.
Giuliani's endorsement is among Rubio's most high profile to date, and is being seen as political payback to Crist who refused to endorse the former New York City mayor during his presidential bid two years ago.
Crist instead lent his last-minute support to Arizona Republican John McCain, who ultimately won that state's pivotal presidential primary and effectively ended Giuliani's hopes of becoming the GOP's presidential nominee.
A Mason-Dixon poll late last month showed Rubio leading Crist among Republican voters by 11 points, 48-37 percent. Fifteen percent in that survey remained undecided.
But it was almost as if Giuliani was back on the presidential campaign trail himself Monday, using much of his 10-minute endorsement speech to criticize President Obama's policies - specifically his approach to the war on terrorism.
"Let's have an America that stands up to terrorism, not an America that has ambiguity and confusion," Giuliani said. "Do we want to see people like Khalid Sheikh Mohammed tried in New York? Or Miami? Shouldn't he be tried in a military tribunal?"
"The president can't make up his mind," he continued. "Do you understand what kind of lack of leadership that shows to the rest of the world? I tried over 4,000 criminals. The easiest decision I had was where to try them."
From CNN Politics
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Let's all say it together. P I G.
What an idiot. Last paragraph says it all. Like he had choices.
The easiet decision I had was where to try them:
A CIVILIAN COURT, OFCOARSE.
Giuliani = Irrelevant.
Rudy is confused. This administration has more than doubled drone attacks along Afganistan's southern border. As recent reports indicate, Taliban forces are being kept on the run by these measures. Troop levels increased in the same region, 'cause this is where the fight has always been!! Rudy, you're a lawyer- you KNOW that statistics clearly show military tribunals have been slower and LESS PUNITIVE THAN CIVILIAN COURTS!! Do you really want to go easier on these guys? Of course not! You're just spouting the standard GOP rant. Time for you to become a FAUX contributor, you can practice winking with whats-her-name.
What are Republican principles anyway? Hate, greed, hypocrisy, corruption, ignorance, discrimination, war, etc.?
It's amazing that anyone would care what this sleazy, glory-seeking professional politician has to say about anything...
But Rudy, we don't want conservative values upheld in Washington. We NEED progressive ideas in Washington.
Go back to your usual speech: Vote 9/11 for 9/11 me 9/11 because 9/11 I said 9/11 so 9/11.
Mr Giulliani is truly a political freak, (just look at his picture) If I were Mr Rubio, I would be running away from Mr Giuliani's endorsment.
Mr Giulliani is loser on any national level.
This joker again ?
rudy, are you too dumb or arrogant to remember that YOU yourself endorced trials for terrorists in civilian courts.. Make up what mind you have left.
Oddly enough, Rudy baby, all terrorist prosecutions under the previous administration were done, and done successfully, in Federal criminal court rather than the special military tribunals you suddenly have the hots for - now that a Democrat is President.
Do you really still think you can ride "A noun, a verb, and 9/11" into the White House?
What was it that Joe Biden said about this one trick pony? Oh yeah, "A noun, a verb, and 9/11."
It's funny cuz it's true.
Mr Giulliani is loser on the national level. I would not accept his endorsement, if I were Mr Rubio
Big deal!!! Guliani is an know-nothing and is an embarrassment to New York. He needs to go back under his rock.
Giuliani backs Rubio, rips into Obama
What? Rudy forgot to mention he was mayor of NYC during 9/11?
Guiliani go away
I have a hard time taking Giuliani with any level of seriousness.
Remember this is the genius that put the communications center back into the WTC after the first bombing. He's also no political genius – he couldn't even win a primary. HIs opinion really means no more to me than my yard mans does.
I'm glad Mr. 9/11 is using the term "Republican" and not "Conservative." Its always strange when a cross-dressing proponent of a big-government police state refers to himself as a "Conservative."
Since when did Rudy Guilanni uphold conservative values?
Was is before or after he had the affair while he had his first wife?
Or, was it before or after he dumped the Police guy, Kerik?
Please, give me a break.
Giuliani...What a loser! ...and a sore one at that!!
Charlie Crist as Governor of Florida did nothing to address our now 12.7% unemployment rate by taking the Stimu-less hand outs from the Federal government, he did not create new jobs, he did not cut the overstuffed state bureaucracy which specializes in private property theft and burdensome obstruction to commerce. Crist simply let them ALL keep their overpaid unproductive positions for another year, as usual, at the taxpayer and now future taxpayer expense.
Rubio for Senate, Crist and Obama for dog catchers!
His fifteen minutes of fame were up long ago- Who cares what he has to say?
Don't trust this guy at all... SYLVESTER THE PUDDY CAT , is a liar & a cheater....