Guliani: This election 'most important'

ST. PAUL, Minn., Sept. 3 (UPI) -- This year's U.S. presidential election is the most important one "in our lifetime," Rudy Guliani told Republican delegates in St. Paul, Minn., Wednesday.

Circumstances in the United States and internationally means "2008 is the most important election in our lifetime," the former New York mayor and one-time presidential contender said. "And we'd better get it right."

He said one way to think about the election is to consider the election as hiring someone to do a job.

On the one hand, is "a man dedicated his life to service to the United States" and on the other hand, "a gifted man with an Ivy League education who worked as a community organizer."

"The choice in this election is substance over style," Guliani said. "Tough times require strong leadership. This is no time for on-the-job training."

In John McCain, the Arizona senator who will deliver his GOP presidential nomination acceptance speech Thursday, "we get a chance to elect one of our great heroes and a great American. He will be an exceptional president," Guliani said.

"Let's shake up Washington and move this country forward."