Former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani boosted the congressional candidacy of one Republican and quietly laid the groundwork for his own potential 2008 presidential run during Wednesday appearances in Greenville.

Giuliani, 62, made no secret he's considering the race, and his latest three-stop visit to the Republican heartland of a pivotal early primary state underscored that.

After touting the 5th Congressional District candidacy of Rock Hill's state Rep. Ralph Norman in a fund-raiser in an upscale downtown restaurant, Giuliani told reporters the only parameter he had set for himself is not to make a decision before the 2006 elections.

"I can't tell you how I'm going to decide because I haven't decided yet or how I'm going to go about doing it," he said.

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While hinting the outcome of November's balloting might affect his decision, Giuliani said, "Things are going to be tough and close, but some of the things we (Republicans) have emphasized have become much more important now."

He said the Democrats' "casting aside" of Sen. Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut to nominate an anti-Iraq war candidate has made the 2006 elections a referendum on Iraq and the war on terror. That plays in the GOP's favor, Giuliani said.

Private meeting

If Giuliani sought to downplay his future aspirations at the Norman event and with reporters, that wasn't the case earlier in the morning when he met privately with a standing-room crowd of invited Republican movers and shakers.

In a Westin Poinsett Hotel meeting room set up for 50, standees lined the walls, said Rick Beltram, Spartanburg GOP chairman and one of the invited guests.

Former state party Chairman Barry Wynn of Spartanburg, a major fund-raiser for President Bush, chaired the gathering and told the group that Giuliani would make a decision in January, Beltram said.

Giuliani, in brief remarks, touched on terrorism, tax policy and immigration and urged the group to focus on the November elections where the party's hold on Congress is at stake.

Wynn said later he is "committed" to a Giuliani candidacy, if there is one.

Hollis "Chip" Felkel, a business development-advocacy executive, said Giuliani's "measured approach, judging from the (group's) reactions, played pretty well."

Felkel, veteran of national and state GOP campaigns, described the crowd as a combination of party fund-raisers, activists and single-issue proponents.

Questions remain

But questions surround how Giuliani would play with South Carolina's strongly conservative GOP voters, some of whom might find a Northeastern candidate too moderate for their tastes.

Doug Wavle, a Bob Jones University employee and a member of the GOP's state executive committee, noting Giuliani's geographic roots, said, "I don't see his stand on issues as being close to South Carolina's," although he said he might make inroads with transplants.

"But conservatives -- both social and fiscal -- would tend not to support him in great strength," Wavle said.

Wynn dismissed the contention that Giuliani wouldn't have broad appeal in South Carolina, noting that the impact of Christian conservatives focused on social issues is being eroded by the in-migration of more traditional Republicans from other states.

"The overarching issues are leadership and security," Giuliani's strengths, he said.

Larry Sabato, director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia, said Wednesday, "One of the biggest questions in presidential politics right now is whether the star status of 'America's mayor' will let Rudy off the hook with conservative Republicans on hot-button social issues."

Sabato said he's "struck that some conservatives really are willing to look the other way, at least for now. This is driven because of respect for Rudy and also because of the realization that no Bush look-alike is going to win the 2008 general election."

But Sabato said Giuliani's allure will fade when "some of the usual ideological screens will come back into use."

Giuliani disagrees

Giuliani disagreed.

Asked in a generic sense how a Northeastern Republican presidential candidate can be sold in the South, Giuliani said it's by self-definition, "who you are, what you believe in and then you find out." Total agreement isn't necessary, he said.

Giuliani discounted regional philosophical differences, saying, "People are more similar than you think. There isn't that great a difference in the concerns people have. Ultimately, they're looking for effective leaders and (candidates) have to figure out whether you can make that appeal and whether people by accepting who you are will vote for you."

Warren Tompkins, a Columbia consultant who was President Bush's 2004 southeastern strategist, attended the private meeting.

He described Giuliani as having "star power and proven leadership. Anybody who could straighten out New York City could do a lot for America." Tompkins said he isn't affiliated with any 2008 contender.

The big question for Giuliani, Tompkins said, is "can social issues be overcome by leadership (qualities)."

Polls are close

National polls show a tight, but so far mythical, race between Giuliani and Arizona Sen. John McCain, the far and away favorite of South Carolina Republicans, according to state polls.

The June Gallup Poll had Giuliani-McCain at 29-24 percent, but the same month's Cook Report/RT Strategies Poll had the exact reverse, with McCain on top.

In horserace polls, Giuliani, like McCain, tops New York Sen. Hillary Clinton both nationally and in the Empire State.

The July WNBC/Marist Poll gave Giuliani a 52-43 percent edge, but the poll noted that although Giuliani is the favorite, "Many aren't sure he will run."

Giuliani was in Greenville to speak at a motivational seminar.