Giuliani Hires Ex-Iowa Rep. As Adviser

Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani has signed up eight-term former Rep. and last year's gubernatorial candidate Jim Nussle as a key strategist and adviser to the committee Giuliani has formed to explore seeking the Republican presidential nomination.

In a statement, Giuliani said Nussle will play "an important leadership on behalf of the exploratory committee both in Iowa and nationally."

Nussle was the Republican gubernatorial nominee last year, eventually losing by roughly 100,000 votes to Gov. Chet Culver. He announced last week that he was forming a political consulting business.

There are deep philosophical differences between the two. Giuliani is pro-choice and favors gay rights, while Nussle campaign on a hard-line anti-abortion stance and wants a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage.

But Nussle said he's focusing on what Giuliani has been able to accomplish and his leadership style.

"Philosophy without progress is frustrating and rhetoric without results is meaningless," said Nussle. "As a proud and consistent conservative Republican I want our party and out ideas to have a voice."

Nussle suggested the Giuliani's actions after the terrorist attacks in New York deeply impressed voters looking for a strong leader.

"Mayor Giuliani governed with a brand of optimism and focus I have only seen a few times since I've been in public service," said Nussle. "He put conservative ideas into action and achieved results."

For his part, Giuliani said Nussle brings valuable skills and a strong political track record in the state where precinct caucuses traditionally launch the nominating season.

"Iowans know Jim Nussle's character and commitment to public service," said Giuliani. "They benefited from his leadership in Congress for more than a decade and saw Jim campaign across the state after he received nomination for governor last year."

Giuliani is among a handful of Republicans who have taken the step of forming an exploratory committee, a move which allows candidates to travel and raise money as they explore seeking the nomination.

The pace of taking that step is likely to quicken in the next couple of weeks as the field begins to grow in both parties.

Nussle said he's been impressed by the results Giuliani has achieved, calling him "an inclusive and principled leader who can bring the country together by focusing on the greater good, not picking partisan fights that don't achieve meaningful results."