Giuliani tells Iowan he may run in 2008

NEW YORK, Sept. 1 (UPI) -- Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani told delegates from Iowa he might run for president in 2008.

Just hours after his convention speech filled with references to the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, NY1 News reported Wednesday, Giuliani breakfasted with delegates from Iowa, which holds the first-in-the-nation political caucuses.

Giuliani, who some surveys find to be the second most popular Republican in the United States after George W. Bush, holds a number of positions that run counter to the GOP mainstream, including his support for abortion and gay rights. But some Republicans suggest the former mayor can easily traverse the gap.

"I think that Mayor Giuliani could probably reach all of us in that respect, because we do adore him, we do respect him, and sometimes we can't be a one-issue party either," Iowa delegate Barbara Taylor said. "We have to look at the total picture, so I don't think that would be a big issue for him."

Giuliani later downplayed the speculation of a national run: "The only two things I'm thinking about in the future now are the Yankees getting into the World Series, and President Bush being re-elected," the former mayor said.