McCain Supports ‘Soul Mate’ Giuliani

His Straight Talk Express a fond memory, John McCain began a new campaign for Republican candidates Tuesday with Senate hopeful Rudolph W. Giuliani, his “soul mate” on campaign finance reform and in-your-face politics.

“We need more mild-mannered, even-tempered individuals like Rudy and myself, who will never rock the boat or say anything that’s controversial in nature,” the Arizona senator cracked during a town hall meeting at American Legion Post 694. “I look forward to having a soul mate in the United States Senate.”

In shirt sleeves, Giuliani took a page from McCain’s playbook when he was told by an audience member that Democratic rival Hillary Rodham Clinton alleges that the mayor lacks the proper temperament to do his job in the scholarly Senate.

“Did she say that? Shut up! Sit down!” Giuliani roared at his questioner, a twinkle in his eye. When the laughter died down, he acknowledged being “very forceful in my advocacy.”

“Maybe Washington needs a little of that,” he added, calling McCain his hero.

Such light moments represent one part of McCain’s political legacy. But less than a month after the senator’s insurgent presidential campaign collapsed under George W. Bush’s victorious effort in the March 7 primaries, a herd of GOP hopefuls want more than fun from McCain.

These candidates want the moderate, independent voters who propelled him to victory in New Hampshire and Michigan.

“McCain can get women to vote for him, which a lot of Republicans can’t,” said event organizer Ray Maloney, 61, a veteran who voted for Bush because he thought McCain couldn’t win the primary. “That means a lot to this party.”

Clinton campaign spokesman Howard Wolfson criticized the event, saying that, with the New York mayor’s leadership under fire, he was turning to McCain “to prop up his candidacy.”

“It will take more than John McCain to fix what’s wrong with his campaign,” Wolfson said in a statement. “. . . New Yorkers are getting double talk instead of straight talk from Rudy Giuliani.”

McCain’s political dance card is full of appearances for candidates such as Mark Nielsen, challenging Rep. Jim H. Maloney in Connecticut; Greg Becker, running against Rep. Carolyn McCarthy in New York; and Sen. Lincoln Chafee, vying to keep the seat once held by his late father in Rhode Island.

Not on his schedule is a similar show of support for Bush.

The Texas governor’s name came up only in passing during the hourlong town hall meeting, in response to questions. McCain was noncommittal about his support, other than to say he would back the party’s nominee.