Giuliani mixes tough talk, soft banter in appearance at College of Charleston

Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani talked to about 300 students, faculty and others at the College of Charleston on Wednesday, less than 12 hours after he left the debate stage in Columbia.

Asked about Tuesday's nationally televised presidential debate, Giuliani praised the format and declined to jab at his rivals. "I think the most important thing in the debate was actually laying out our differences with the Democrats," he said. "There are big differences between us, and they mostly revolve around how to deal with terrorism and how to deal with the economy."

Giuliani told the audience that those were the two most-important issues in the 2008 campaign: remaining on the offensive against Islamic fundamentalist terrorism and bolstering the economy by cutting both taxes and spending in Washington.

He said he supported 5 percent to 20 percent across-the-board cuts, and he noted 40 percent to 50 percent of the federal work force will retire in the next 10 years. He would work to eliminate half of those positions — not by firing anyone but by cutting jobs once they're vacant.

Giuliani had fun with a few dozen Memminger Elementary School students who attended the event. When one student told Giuliani that he wanted to be both a doctor and lawyer when he grew up, Giuliani replied, "Man. You could be dangerous!"

Derek Wade of James Island asked Giuliani if he supported the "fair tax," a proposal to eliminate the federal income tax and replace it with a national sales or consumption tax. Supporters of the proposal attracted thousands to a rally in Columbia during Tuesday's debate.

Giuliani said he thought eliminating the income tax would be unworkable, at least in the near future, but he said he supported lowering taxes and simplifying the income tax.

"I have the strongest record of fiscal conservatism of anybody in the race," he said. "I think I have a record as a fiscal conservative where it was toughest to be a fiscal conservative. I think that's something that's going to be at the core of the difference between us in the election."

A college student who just returned from Cuba asked Giuliani whether he would support easing trade and travel restrictions with that Caribbean nation. Giuliani said he wouldn't make a change until dictator Fidel Castro dies. He said the United States should have a plan for the post-Castro era.

Another student asked him why his position on abortion keeps changing. Giuliani replied, "My views don't keep changing. My two major principles about abortion haven't changed," he said. "It's a moral question for me. It's a legal question. A political question."

Giuliani said he morally opposes abortion and would advise against it, but he added, "You can't let government coerce the results. It's not the place for government to intrude into somebody's life. You can disagree, but you can't use the power of government to coerce that person."

During a later interview with reporters, he said his record on fighting terrorism, not just after 9/11 but as far back as his work in President Ford's administration, sets him apart from the other candidates.

Reach Robert Behre at 937-5771 or at rbehre@postandcourier.com.