Giuliani addresses tension with his son

Republican presidential candidate Rudolph W. Giuliani on Monday characterized tension with his son Andrew as a challenge arising from his remarriage and said he hoped to be able to work on the relationship privately.

“These problems with blended families are difficult sometimes,” the former New York mayor told reporters in Monterey Park, adding that “the more privacy you can have with something like this ... the easier you’re going to get it resolved.”

In a New York Times article, Andrew Giuliani said that he had a rocky relationship with his father, and that he had a problem with Judith Nathan, whom his father married in 2003 after divorcing Andrew’s mother, Donna Hanover.

The Duke University sophomore said that he did not intend to campaign for his father, preferring to focus on a professional golf career.

In Monterey Park, the elder Giuliani described Nathan as a “very loving and caring” mother and stepmother.

“She’s done everything she can,” he said. “The responsibility is mine.”

Giuliani’s comments came in response to questions at a news conference featuring Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, with whom Giuliani had attended a gang-eradication meeting.

Meanwhile, a spokesman announced in New York that Giuliani was selling off the investment banking arm of his consulting firm.

Giuliani Capital Advisors , a 2 1/2 -year-old firm offering advice on business and investment banking, will be acquired by Macquarie Group of Sydney, Australia. Financial terms of the deal weren’t disclosed.

Giuliani’s business interests have come under closer scrutiny lately as his presidential campaign moves forward.

Giuliani spokeswoman Sunny Mindel said the sale had nothing to do with potential client conflicts.

“This is so Rudy can continue to focus his efforts on his candidacy,” Mindel said.