Giuliani helps Porter bring in campaign dollars

Erin Neff

Wednesday, May 15, 2002 | 11:04 a.m.

Republican congressional candidate Jon Porter cashed in on post-Sept. 11 hero worship this morning with the help of the leader in the eye of the storm on that day of terror.

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani spoke at a $500-a-person fund-raising breakfast -- bringing in about $25,000 for Porter -- this morning at Postrio restaurant inside The Venetian.

"I'm very excited about Jon's candidacy, first of all, because he was a mayor," Giuliani said, referring to Porter's days leading Boulder City.

The endorsement from Giuliani is bigger than the boost Porter's campaign received from former President George Bush and other noted Republican leaders because of the way Giuliani led not only his city, but the nation after Sept. 11.

Porter introduced Giuliani to about 130 local supporters, candidates, police and fire officials as "America's mayor."

"We finally have a hero we can teach our kids about in school," Porter said, adding that Giuliani's picture should accompany the word democracy in dictionaries.

Giuliani, wearing a navy blue suit and tie with white stars, said Porter is a needed commodity in Washington, D.C. -- a leader with experience in how government ought to work.

Mike Slanker, Porter's campaign consultant, said the event was a "tremendous boost" to Porter's bid for Nevada's 3rd Congressional District, especially because Giuliani came to Las Vegas so early in the election cycle.

After his brief remarks endorsing Porter, Giuliani answered questions from the press, and stressed the national important of the race.

"I am more than willing to help the Republican Party," Giuliani said. "I talk to the White House about it, I talk to the Republican National Committee about it.

"This is a very important race to both the Republican Party and the Democratic Party," he added. "The direction it goes will have a lot to say about the direction of national policy."

Giuliani has proved a powerful endorsement weapon after Sept. 11. One television ad Giuliani shot for New York City mayoral candidate Michael Bloomberg did more to help put Bloomberg into Gracie Mansion than the endorsements former President Bill Clinton offered Bloomberg's Democratic opponent.

His current popularity puts him, he said, "on a lot of short lists." He is already being hyped as a future presidential candidate, or possible as a replacement to Vice President Dick Cheney on the ticket if Cheney steps down at the end of Bush's first term.

Giuliani focussed on politics during his talk, but responding to media questions said Yucca Mountain is "really a federal issue and not a partisan political issue."

He did say that "anything is susceptible to terrorism," but that local communities can prepare by drilling for the worst-case scenarios like he stressed while mayor of New York, even prior to Sept. 11.

"We're vulnerable because we're a free society," Giuliani said. "Anything you do, whether it's the movement of nuclear waste or holding a large event is vulnerable."

Giuliani said he hasn't taken a stand on Yucca Mountain, but "by natural instinct" believes Bush's recommendation is the best for the country.

"The president is trying to balance the national interest against local concerns," Giuliani said.

This morning's event highlighted a strong day for Porter, who planned to file for election this afternoon.

Democrat Dario Herrera has already filed for the seat, attacking Porter for accepting money from pro-Yucca Mountain congressmen and lobbyists. But Giuliani carries none of that controversy as he crosses the country delivering commencement speeches and political endorsements.