Why Rudy Fell So Far, So Fast

Mayor will preside over ceremony on first day it's legal

(NEWSER) - Michael Bloomberg isn’t wasting any time celebrating New York’s new marriage law. The day gay marriage becomes legal in the state, the mayor will officiate at the wedding of two city officials, NBC New York reports. Bloomberg will unite his chief policy adviser (John Feinblatt) and the city’s consumer affairs commissioner (Jonathan Mintz) in a ceremony at Gracie Mansion, the mayor’s official residence. More»

Up in the polls, Rubio gets party blessing

(NEWSER) - The Republican Party is making a none-too-subtle push to get onetime golden boy Charlie Crist out of Florida's Senate race. “We believe there is zero chance Gov. Crist continues running in the Republican primary,” says the executive director of the National Republican Senate Committee. The group once tried to push Marco Rubio aside for Crist, but that was before Rubio opened a 20-point lead in the polls, reports the Miami Herald . More»

(NEWSER) - Less than two years after crashing and burning in the race for the White House, Rudy Giuliani is weighing another return to politics—as governor of New York. Last week Giuliani asked the state's GOP chairman to step aside, and the New York Times reports that he has discussed a possible run with Mike Bloomberg, his successor as NYC mayor. One reason for his interest: Giuliani's aides think he could beat David Paterson, the unpopular incumbent, in a walk. More»

Rudy wants a cut of fundraising proceeds to pay off campaign debt

(NEWSER) - Rudy Giuliani has offered to appear at fundraisers for cash-strapped Republican candidates but with strings attached, the New York Times reports. The former New York mayor wants a cut of the proceeds to go towards paying off his presidential campaign's $3.6-million debt. The debt includes a $500,000 personal loan from Giuliani, who is worth an estimated $30 million. More»

Schwarzenegger calls candidate 'a great American hero'

(NEWSER) - Arnold Schwarzenegger endorsed John McCain for the GOP nomination today at a Los Angeles solar energy company, calling his fellow Westerner a hero and a great American. Standing beside the candidate and new Mac backer Rudy Giuliani, Arnie stressed their shared concern over climate change, and praised McCain as “a crusader to end wasteful spending in Washington, a crusader to simultaneously protect the environment and stimulate the economy.” More»