Mar 30, 2007 8:28 am US/Eastern
Rudy Faces Rocky Road To GOP Nomination
Relationship With Bernard Kerik Back In Spotlight
by Deborah Garcia
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
The campaign trail has been rocky for Rudy Giuliani. As the GOP frontrunner in the presidential race, his record and personal life have been under intense scrutiny.
A published report on Friday sheds light on the relationship between New York City's former mayor and his embattled former police chief -- Bernie Kerik.
Giuliani testified under oath last year before a Bronx grand jury investigating Kerik.
According to court records, Giuliani said of had no memory of the briefing but did not dispute that it had taken place.
Last summer, Kerik pled guilty to improperly allowing the company to complete more than $160,000 in free renovations to his Bronx apartment.
Giuliani's company released a statement Thursday, saying the former mayor was not concerned that issues surrounding Kerik would become a liability in his bid for the White House.
But before he can become commander in chief, he has to win over his own party to snag the Republican nomination.
The big question is can Giuliani -- a New Yorker, who has been married three times, supports abortion rights, gay rights and gun control -- win the nomination of a party increasingly influenced by conservative Christians?
Skeptics say most Republicans really don't know his views on social issues or how he'd tackle foreign affairs and national security.
But most do know that he was dubbed "America's Mayor" for his leadership after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
And as we head toward the 2008 election, terrorism and national security will be key issues.
But experts say Giuliani has to be very careful to avoid the perception that he's exploiting 9/11 for personal, political gain.
A Zogby America Poll of likely Republican primary voters was released this week. Giuliani is in the lead with 27 percent. John McCain is in second place with 13 percent.
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