The Endorsement

SIMI VALLEY -- They call each other "heroes." They believe that the pre-eminent challenge of our time is the fight against radical Islamic Jihad. They're both unorthodox Republicans; they both privately disdain Romney; they both are great friends. Their worldviews are sympatico. Had the leaden shoe of defeat been secured to John McCain's foot by Florida voters, it's likely that he would have endorsed Rudy Giuliani.



"When you run for president, you spend a lot of time thinking about the qualities you want in a chief executive." For Giuliani, those qualities are "someone who can be trusted in a time of crisis, someone with a clear vision of the challenges facing our nation."

"John McCain is the most qualified candidate to be the next commander in chief," Giuliani said. "He is an American hero. He is a man of honor and integrity. He's shown character throughout his life."

Repeatedly, Giuliani stressed the mutual detente that existed between he and McCain -- McCain ran no attack ads against him, and vice-versa. This was as close to a shot against Mitt Romney as Giuliani made. (There had been a rumor circulating that he would, in addition to dropping out and endorsing McCain, make a case against Mitt Romney.)

Giuliani looked somber but relieved, as if a burden had been lifted. His staff and his press corps describe him as being in good spirits and eager to return to private life.