Former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, a Republican presidential contender acclaimed for his leadership after the Sept. 11 attacks, took a largely symbolic step closer to an official White House run on Monday.
WASHINGTON: Former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, a Republican presidential contender acclaimed for his leadership after the Sept. 11 attacks, took a largely symbolic step closer to an official White House run on Monday.
Giuliani refiled papers with the Federal Election Commission establishing a committee to explore a presidential bid, which allows him to raise money, travel and hire staff.
The new paperwork removed the phrase "testing the waters" from the statement of candidacy Giuliani originally filed in November. An FEC spokesman said the move had no real legal significance.
A source close to Giuliani's campaign said it was designed to put him "more in line" with rivals like Arizona Sen. John McCain and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.
But the move also could be timed to calm growing doubts among Republicans about whether he is serious about a White House run in 2008. While Giuliani leads eight other Republican in many national polls, there has been growing speculation he might not run.
Giuliani faces an uphill battle winning over conservatives who wield considerable influence in Republican primaries because of his stance on some social issues, including his support for gay rights and abortion rights.
Giuliani became one of the party's most popular figures for his tough leadership after Sept. 11. He has been loyal to President George W. Bush, backing his plan to send more troops to Iraq.
Giuliani, who earned millions as a consultant and motivational speaker since leaving office and was popular on the Republican fund-raising circuit in 2006, has said he is evaluating his finances and support for a White House bid.
FEC spokesman George Smaragdis said there was no significance to the updated filing by Giuliani.
"From the agency's perspective, the same report will be filed the same way with the same information," he said.
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