Politics

Rudy Leans Toward Running

By CBSNews.com staff CBSNews.com staff

May 16, 2000 / 8:38 AM EDT / CBS

It would be a dramatic twist, except that every day in the life of New York's mayor seems dramatic of late.

Rudolph Giuliani suggested to supporters at a campaign fund-raiser Monday night that, despite cancer of the prostate and a broken marriage, he is leaning toward staying in the U.S. Senate race against Hillary Rodham Clinton.

"I'm very much inclined to do this," the New York City mayor told political buddies at a $1,000-per-person dinner.

A little later, Giuliani softened the message a bit, telling reporters, "I would like to do it. I'm trying to figure out if it's the right thing to do."

Hours earlier, the mayor announced he had canceled a fund-raising trip to California and said he still had not decided what course of treatment to take. Giuliani said he needed to consult with doctors and decide whether to undergo surgery or radiation.

"Last week, because of things involving my personal life, my family and everything else, I didn't have the time," he said. "So, I'm going to need to do that this week."

During the past three weeks, Giuliani, 55, has disclosed that he has treatable prostate cancer and that he is seeking a legal separation from his wife, TV personality and actress Donna Hanover.

Asked whether he felt pressure from GOP officials who would have to find a replacement if Giuliani drops out, the mayor said: "I don't feel under pressure from the state Republican Party. I feel the internal pressure."

The GOP's Senate nominating convention is scheduled for May 30. As for Giuliani's potential rival, Mrs. Clinton is expected to be nominated as the Senate candidate by state Democratic leaders at a convention Tuesday night in Albany.