Perry backs Giuliani for president

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Texas Gov. Rick Perry endorsed Rudolph W. Giuliani for president today, saying the former New York City mayor has "got the right vision for a nation at war."

The conservative governor, whom Mr. Giuliani helped to win re-election last year, said he had "taken a measure of the man" and decided that, despite not agreeing with every stance taken by the socially liberal mayor, he is right for the job.

"I've asked him some tough questions. I've looked him in his eye as he answered. I studied his positions. And I will tell you I have been highly impressed with his record," said Mr. Perry, the first sitting governor to endorse the mayor.

"Rudy Giuliani is the most capable, the most prepared individual of either party to be the next president of the United States. He is the best of a strong field of Republican candidates, and I'm proud to proclaim my support of his campaign," he said.

Unlike the pro-choice mayor, Mr. Perry supports abortion restrictions — including a law to require girls younger than 18 to get parental consent before an abortion. And while Mr. Giuliani supports homosexual rights, Mr. Perry supports a constitutional ban on same-sex "marriage" in Texas.

The governor is the second pro-life Republican to endorse Mr. Giuliani. Tommy G. Thompson, former Wisconsin governor and former Bush health and human services secretary, endorsed the mayor last week.

As for other Republican presidential candidates, Sen. John McCain of Arizona has three gubernatorial endorsements and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney has two.

Asked by The Washington Times why Mr. Perry would support a pro-choice candidate, Mr. Perry said there are more important issues.

"The one that I wanted to hear him give me an answer and look me right in my eyes was that issue of who can I expect, what type of individual can I expect, on the Supreme Court," Mr. Perry said at a press conference with Mr. Giuliani.

Mr. Perry said the candidate said that he "can look for people" like Justices Antonin Scalia and Samuel A. Alito Jr. and Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr.

Mr. Perry, who said in a recent speech to Republicans in California that the Republican Party should stay true to its core conservative values, added that he decided he agreed with enough of the mayor's political stances to support him.

"When I go to buy a pickup truck, if it has one option on it that I'm not fond of, it doesn't mean I disregard that pickup truck," he said.

There is speculation that the governor may be jockeying for a spot as vice president on the Giuliani ticket, but Mr. Perry rejected the notion.

"I have no interest in going to Washington, D.C.," he said on Fox News. "It's not a place that I have passion about. I've got three-plus years left in my term as the governor of a great state, whose economy is doing quite well, and intend to do that and finish out that term."

In the brief press conference, Mr. Perry also dinged Mr. Romney, who said in the most recent Republican candidates' debate that he would check with his attorneys before pursuing unilateral military action against Tehran.

The next president "must be able to stare down criminal elements," Mr. Perry said, "whether they're trafficking drugs or planting roadside bombs — without dialing up their lawyer first."