Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani received a warm welcome Saturday from California Republicans at their semi-annual convention in Sacramento. During a 45-minute speech, Giuliani touched on health care, crime, terrorism and Iraq. Giuliani mocked inaction in Washington, saying he would be a decisive leader. Giuliani has not formally announced that he's running for president. But he did take another step in that direction Monday, when he filed a "statement of candidacy" with the Federal Election Commission.
Following Giuliani's speech Saturday in Sacramento, he sat down for an exclusive one-on-one interview with KCRA 3's Kevin Riggs.
Giuliani said he is asking for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's support.
"Of course I'm asking for his support, but I think the governor has a couple of good friends in this race. And I think he's got to take a look at what he thinks is best," Giuliani said.
Giuliani also spoke about state lawmakers plans to move California's primary from June to February, and how it would affect a 2008 presidential campaign.
"I mean obviously it would raise the cost of primaries," Giuliani said. "I think California's a very expensive state to wage a primary battle, any kind of battle. But it would also give a kind of sense of a real cross-section of America. I mean, it's America's largest state, larger than most countries, 37 million people. So I guess in a way, it would give you sort of a real test of who has broad support nationally."
On the issue of Iraq, Giuliani told KCRA 3 that he supports President Bush's troop surge.
"I believe it's absolutely important that we get this right, that we make every effort to bring about stability and peace in Baghdad," Giuliani said. "Because if we don't, if we pull out, if we run out, if we run away, then I think it's very possible that we're going to lose more lives, including American lives."
As for immigration issues, Giuliani said legalization of illegal immigrants should be tied to job status and their ability to learn and use English.
Giuliani will spend three days in California at both public and private events.
The Republican convention wraps up on Sunday.
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