Giuliani Meets With Oklahomans, Samples Local Cuisine

Friday, September 14th 2007, 8:25 pm

By: News On 6

Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani came to Tulsa Friday in his bid to become the next President of the United States. News on 6 anchor Omar Villafranca talked to the GOP presidential front-runner, as he packed the room at Steak Stuffers in South Tulsa. He reports Giuliani shook hands with voters, signed autographs and grabbed a quick bite to eat.

Rudy Giuliani told voters his experience running New York City trained him to run the country. Several nationwide polls show Giuliani in the lead, and he says he's the only Republican who can defeat Hillary Clinton in the general election.

Dozens of supporters packed the Steak Stuffers, located at 1932 E. 51st Street, to meet GOP Presidential front-runner Rudy Giuliani.

"Well, I think he's very capable. He's had a world of experience. And you know, there's no substitute for that," said George Van Wyck, owner of Steak Stuffers.

Kathy Smith is also a Giuliani supporter.

â€œI like his attitude, I like his go after things calmly, and I like his strength."

New York's former mayor shook hands, signed autographs, and even grabbed a voter's phone to campaign. Supporters say they were impressed by the way Giuliani handled the 9-11 attacks in New York, but he's quick to point out his future plans for America.

"I promise to end illegal immigration, I promise that we will reduce taxes, I promise that we will reduce the number of abortions and increase the number of adoptions, but primarily, I'm backing up my promises with results, I've gotten things like that accomplished before," Giuliani said.

He made headlines when he responded to an ad placed in the New York Times. The ad, paid for by a leftwing group, moveon.org, slams General David Petraeus's report card on the Iraq War, calling him General Betray-Us. The Giuliani camp was quick to defend the General, buying a full page ad in Fridayâ€™s New York Times. Giuliani's ad criticizes moveon.org and Democratic Presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton saying "these times call for statesmanship, not politicians spewing political venom."

"In response to that, she's doing what the Clinton's do very often. She's trying to play victim. She's complaining about a negative attack on her. Well, this is the height of hypocrisy, this is all about her negative attack on a commanding general," Giuliani said.

Even though the Republican Presidential primaries are months away, Giuliani already sounds like he's ready for a long battle with the Democrats.

"I believe I am the Republican best situated to defeat Hillary Clinton. I think I am the Republican that can carry out a 50 state campaign, and we need a Republican that is electable,â€ Giuliani told the News on 6.

Giuliani's staff called the owner of Steak Stuffers and asked if the candidate could stop there. Owner George Van says he's known Giuliani for some time. Van Wyck says when they talk the conversation always turns to Philly cheesesteaks.

Watch the video: Presidential Candidate Visits Tulsa