Bond endorses Giuliani for president

WASHINGTON -- Playing down their political differences, Missouri Sen. Kit Bond said Friday that Rudy Giuliani has the vision and leadership needed to become the nation's next president.

Bond formally endorsed the former New York City mayor at a Washington news conference where he praised Giuliani's experience and vouched for his conservative credentials.

"He's demonstrated the executive leadership that has earned him great plaudits and high acclaim around the world," Bond said.

The endorsement from Bond, a four-term Republican and former governor who is widely popular in Missouri, could give a major lift to Giuliani's effort to win the state's GOP primary. Missouri is among more than 20 states holding primaries or caucuses on Feb. 5, a day that many believe will determine the nominee.

Giuliani thanked Bond and said he considers Missouri a pivotal state in the nomination process.

"It's one in which we want to do everything we can to win," Giuliani said. "Those early primary states are obviously critical to who gets nominated on the Republican side."

Despite Giuliani's past support for abortion rights and some gun restrictions, Bond said he's confident Giuliani will appoint conservative judges to the federal bench.

Giuliani also focused on judicial appointments in an apparent effort to pacify Republicans who have openly questioned Giuliani's conservative credentials. The next president, Giuliani said, would get to name about 200 federal judges to the bench.

"I will appoint judges who are conservative, who are strict constructionists," Giuliani said. He pledged to appoint judges in the mold of Supreme Court Justices Antonin Scalia, Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas.

Bond said Giuliani has come out strongly in favor of abortion restrictions such as parental notification and a ban on partial birth abortions.

"He will appoint strict constructionist judges who will interpret the Constitution, and frankly I'm very comfortable with his positions," Bond said.

Bond, the top Republican on the Senate Intelligence Committee, placed more emphasis on Giuliani's commitment to fighting terrorism, boosting intelligence and strengthening the U.S military.

"Since he was there to watch the twin towers fall, he knows that al-Qaida and the brand of terrorism that it brings is the greatest danger, the greatest threat to our country in the years to come," Bond said.

Bond also praised Giuliani's skill in leading New York City back from fiscal distress and rampant crime woes.

The endorsement comes a week after Missouri Rep. Jo Ann Emerson said she would back Giuliani despite her differences with him over abortion rights, gun control and other issues.

Bond will be one of four national co-chairmen of Giuliani's campaign and is lending some of his political staff to help Giuliani win support. Bond will serve as general chairman of Giuliani's Missouri campaign, while Emerson will become chairwoman of the state campaign.

But Bond's endorsement creates a split among prominent Missouri Republicans. Gov. Matt Blunt and former Sen. Jim Talent, R-Mo., have been prominent supporters of former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney for president, while Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder is backing Fred Thompson, the former Tennessee senator.

Bond said there's room for a difference of opinion on presidential hopefuls.

"Matt Blunt's a fine man," Bond said after the news conference. "I look forward to working with him. I hope to help him in the campaign. But when it comes to the federal issue, I will defer to my own judgment and experience."

As for Talent, Bond said he called his former colleague, who serves as a key policy adviser to Romney, to let him know of his decision.

"I told him we intended to win," Bond said.

Bond is the second U.S. senator to endorse Giuliani this week. Sen. Norm Coleman, R-Minn., who announced his support for Giuliani on Thursday, also spoke at the news conference.