Rudy's Road Rules

As Rudolph Giuliani settles into his new consulting office in Times Square this week, Republicans don't want him to get too comfortable — they are counting on him to raise money and win support for GOP candidates around the country.

"He wouldn't have won two terms as a Republican running in New York City if he couldn't appeal to a wide spectrum," said Republican National Committee spokesman Kevin Sheridan. "And after 9-11, he's more popular than ever."

Already, Giuliani has been asked to stump for Senate candidates in midterm elections, said Dan Allen, a spokesman for Tennessee Sen. Bill Frist, chairman of the Republican senatorial campaign committee.

"People across the country see Giuliani as a tremendous leader," Allen said.

The former mayor's political worth is being put to an early test in California, where he has endorsed underdog Bill Simon for the GOP gubernatorial nomination. Simon, who once worked in Giuliani's U.S. attorney's office, faces former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan and California Secretary of State Bill Jones in a March 5 primary.

Giuliani is in demand in other arenas, too. He has been collecting $100,000 per appearance on the speaking circuit and signed a $3 million deal with Talk Miramax to write two books. He is also busy with his business consulting company, backed by the accounting firm Ernst & Young.

But the former mayor makes clear that politics will remain part of his current life — and his future.

"I'm going to spend some time in private life and do a number of things that I'd like to do in business — and then at some point I'll think about politics again," Giuliani said last week. "I'll remain active in politics, supporting and helping candidates that I agree with, both in New York and across the country."

Republican strategists said the former mayor, lauded around the country for his steady leadership after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, would be a particularly potent ally for politicians engaged in tough campaigns.

"Giuliani has political star quality and that is a great attraction to a candidate trying to stand out in the crowd," said strategist Nelson Warfield. "Voters' attention spans are short and Giuliani's fame can focus voters' attention on an otherwise dull candidate."

Said Kieran Mahoney, another Republican strategist: "In a close race somewhere, he'll be able to come in and do a fund-raiser that brings in $75,000 for a candidate — and get a front-page story the next day."

Giuliani's cachet in GOP circles is new. He was roundly criticized by party regulars when he endorsed Democratic Gov. Mario Cuomo in the 1994 governor's race.

But times have changed. Even Democrat Ed Koch, who once wrote the book "Giuliani: Nasty Man," said his fellow former mayor will be a hit.

"I'm sure that it will be helpful to candidates to have Rudy Giuliani on their side," Koch said.

Campaigning for other Republicans could yield political dividends down the road or Giuliani if he runs for office again. And Koch predicted it will not take long for him to develop the itch.

"I think he runs for anything that becomes available," said Koch, suggesting Giuliani might take on one of the state's Democratic senators, Charles Schumer or Hillary Rodham Clinton.

By FRANK ELTMAN