King and Giuliani on the Rudy Calculus

ST. PAUL—Representative Pete King of New York thinks that Rudy Giuliani’s convention address, whenever it happens, and whatever else it accomplishes, is good for the former mayor.

“On one level it’s a real tribute to Rudy,” King said yesterday as he stood on the convention floor in the Xcel Energy Center with the New York delegation. “It shows the underlying support he has not just in the party but reaching out to independents around the country. This is an opportunity to really show what he can do. John McCain understands that to win you have to appeal to independents.”

Asked what the speech does for Giuliani, King said, “It reaffirms his standing in New York, that’s for sure. And it also reaffirms his national standing when it comes to a cabinet post, or just being a spokesman in the future, or a voice in the party. Yeah, it’s important that way. Every now and then you need an injection to keep you going for a while. A prime-time appearance certainly helps.”

Asked if the speech could prompt the resurgence of the Bernie Kerik story which hounded the former mayor during his campaign, King said “It’s old news. And nothing Bernie Kerik was accused of reflected on his job as far as security, as far as homeland security.” (Giuliani recommended Kerik to the Bush administration to be secretary of homeland security.)

“That’s one advantage of making a national run,” King added. “Whatever is thrown at you, that’s gone for the next time.”

At a later event, Giuliani told me, “It’s not about me, it’s about John McCain. The reason I want to give it is he’s a good friend of mine. I believe it is critical that he be president of the United States, and from the day that I was certain that I couldn’t win, I supported him. So this comes from the heart, it’s not just political, it’s what I believe is necessary for our country.”