Giuliani touts McCain’s leadership, dismisses Obama’s

VIRGINIA BEACH

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani railed Saturday against mainstream media coverage that he said favored the Democratic presidential ticket, and he reassured Republican supporters that they shouldn't put much stock in widely reported polls.

At a rally for Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain, Giuliani dismissed polls that showed McCain tied with, or trailing, Democratic Sen. Barack Obama. He reminded the crowd of 200 at the Crowne Plaza hotel that President Bush won in 2004 despite trailing Democratic Sen. John Kerry in exit polls. He cited a recent Military Times poll of current and former service members that he said few news outlets reported.

The unscientific poll, reported last week in The Virginian-Pilot, showed respondents preferred McCain for president by a 3 to 1 margin over Obama.

"They want real leadership," Giuliani said. "They see something the media doesn't."

Giuliani, who dropped his own bid for the presidency in January, questioned Obama's qualifications. The Democrat, he said, "has never run a city, never run a state, never run a business, never run a military unit."

"The only thing he's ever done is run," he said to applause.

Giuliani devoted part of his 12-minute speech to lampooning Obama's running mate, Sen. Joe Biden, who said during the primaries that Obama wasn't prepared to be commander-in-chief. He jabbed at Biden for saying recently that Obama's ability to lead would be tested by an international crisis if he is elected.

"Nobody said John McCain wasn't qualified," Giuliani said. "It's really nice when the other side is supporting you and doesn't even know it."

His address capped a rally that included speeches by several Virginia Republicans, including U.S. Rep. Thelma Drake; Jim Gilmore, the U.S. Senate candidate and former governor, and Attorney General Bob McDonnell, who is running for governor in 2009.

Virginia Beach mason Philip Feldt earned some celebrity. The burly 54-year-old vice president of a local masonry firm carried a sign declaring himself "Phil the brick layer."

The placard played off Joe the Plumber, an Ohio man who drew attention after McCain repeatedly referenced him in a televised debate with Obama. The man had complained about the Democrat's plan to raise taxes on those who make more than $250,000, saying it would hurt his chances of owning his own business.

Giuliani's speech energized Republican supporters such as Old Dominion University senior Ryan Kelly.

"He does a good job of being the attack dog, pointing out the things that need to be pointed out," Kelly said.

The speech left Sharon Reinheimer, a Virginia Beach woman who admired Giuliani's career, wanting to hear more. She already has cast her ballot for McCain and hopes to see Giuliani part of a McCain-Sarah Palin administration.

"He's easygoing and very fun to listen to, very dynamic," she said. "I hope he becomes our attorney general next."

Shawn Day, (757) 222-5131, shawn.day@pilotonline.com