Giuliani Ends Senate Bid
Facing a fight against prostate cancer and the public break-up of his marriage, New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani pulled out of the U.S. Senate race against first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, ending weeks of speculation about his political future.
"I've decided that what I should do is to put my health first," the mayor told reporters at a dramatic City Hall news conference Friday afternoon. "This is not the right time for me to run for office."
Giuliani, 55, has been weighing his political future since first being diagnosed with cancer three weeks ago.
"I used to think the core of me was in politics. It isn't," the mayor said. "It's not the right time, it's not the right decision, it's not the right priority for me."
Hillary Clinton, at a news conference of her own immediately following Giuliani's announcement, said she had spoken with the mayor and hoped and prayed he'd have a speedy recovery.
She deflected questions about how the news affected her campaign, saying "Today we all ought to just wish the mayor our very best and let him know the people of the city are behind him."
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The Daily News reported Friday that Hanover had hired high-powered matrimonial lawyer Helene Brezinsky to hammer out a separation agreement.
The mayor's announcement made no mention of either his wife or Nathan.
Giuliani said his decision followed a sleepless night, but expressed hope that his pulling out was "all for the best."
"I don't know that I'd be able to campaign the way I should," said Giuliani, citing his upcoming cancer treatment. "I on't know that in August or September that I'd be able to continue the way I should."
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"I thank God that it gives me really another 18 months to be the mayor of New York City," he said.
Republican leaders have to scramble to come up with an alternative candidate. The state GOP nominating convention is May 30 in Buffalo.
Giuliani said he broke the news of his departure to Republican leaders by phone, and pledged his support to likely replacement Rick Lazio, a Long Island congressman.
On Saturday, Lazio formally announced he would enter the race and ackowledged that he faced an uphill battle against the first lady.
"Here in New York, we love underdogs," Lazio told a cheering crowd in West Islip, Long Island. "I can't call on Air Force One whenever I need a ride, but New Yorkers can count on me and call on me whenever they need something to get done."
There was no immediate word on what Giuliani planned to do with his considerable campaign war chest.
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