Republicans Wonder Whether Giuliani Is In A Stall

Will Rudy Giuliani back out of his fledgling presidential campaign? That's what Republican insiders are asking as the former New York mayor considers whether to run in 2008.

The insiders note that while Giuliani leads in some national polls of GOP voters, he has not moved as aggressively as some of his rivals, especially John McCain and Mitt Romney, to recruit a campaign team or solicit support from key Republicans at the national, state, and local levels.

The insiders point out that Giuliani didn't run against Hillary Rodham Clinton for the Senate in 2000 in a decision that disappointed many of his supporters. Giuliani was diagnosed with prostate cancer at the time, but some Republicans argue that, in addition, he really didn't have the intense desire to do what was necessary, such as raising money and spending countless hours asking for support from political operatives.

"Some of us aren't sure he will really make this race this time, and if he does jump in, there will be doubts that he will stay in, " says a prominent GOP insider who formerly advised President Bush.

By Kenneth T. Walsh