RUDY GIULIANI

Following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center, New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani's leadership impressed many. He was named Time magazine's Man of the Year, and no less of an authority than Oprah Winfrey declared him "America's Mayor." Building on that publicity, he emerged as a top early contender for the Republican presidential nomination. However, a recent string of negative headlines about his personal and business affairs has clouded his front-runner status.

BIRTHDAY: May 28, 1944 (63) HOMETOWN: Brooklyn, N.Y. RELIGION: Roman Catholic

FAMILY: Wife, Judith Nathan; two children from a previous marriage; twice divorced

EDUCATION: Bachelor's degree, Manhattan College, 1965; law degree, New York University, 1968

EXPERIENCE: Bracewell & Giuliani law firm, 2005-present; Giuliani Partners consulting firm, 2002-present; mayor, New York, 1994-2001; U.S. attorney, 1983-1989

YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW: While mayor, Giuliani announced at a news conference his separation from then-wife Donna Hanover. He had not yet mentioned it to Hanover, who continued to live in the mayor's mansion until they divorced. Giuliani, meanwhile, lived with two gay friends.

CAMPAIGN OFFICIAL WEB SITE WWW.JOINRUDY2008.COM

DECISION TO RUN:

"I'm running ... because I know how to get things done. I proved it in New York and now we need to get things done in Washington."

MAJOR THEMES:

Calls himself a "proven leader" who wants to "restore the Republican commitment to fiscal conservatism." He cites his record "improving security" and cutting crime while mayor.

IN NEVADA:

He has raised money in the state, but campaigning has consisted of an address to a political group and a pair of visits to local businesses.

IN THE POLLS

NATIONALLY

After enjoying double-digit leads most of the year, Giuliani's edge in the polls has all but evaporated.

NEVADA

A Review-Journal poll of likely caucus-goers this month showed Giuliani with 25 percent, leading Mitt Romney (20 percent) and Mike Huckabee (17 percent).

POSITIONS

WAR/NATIONAL SECURITY

Opposes a timetable for troop withdrawal from Iraq. Supported sending additional troops to Iraq. Failure in Iraq would lead to a broader regional conflict, he says, and leave America in a more perilous position.

HEALTH CARE

Would allow people unable to get insurance from an employer to exclude from their income up to $7,500 in health insurance costs for singles ($15,000 for families) to buy their own health insurance. Proposes a separate health insurance credit for low-income Americans.

IMMIGRATION

As mayor, he fought federal efforts to curtail hospital or educational services to illegal immigrants. As a presidential candidate, he has vowed to cut illegal immigration by boosting Border Patrol agents to 18,000 from the current 12,000 and building a physical and technological barrier along the U.S.-Mexico border.

NEVADA ISSUES

Told the Review-Journal that he would not rule out a nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain: "One of the things you've got to be real careful about with nuclear power is you've got to make sure it's really, really safe. Frankly, some of the problems that have occurred with Yucca Mountain are matters of grave concern."

ENERGY

Says the nation needs to focus on nuclear power and renewable energy, but in the meantime it should also see what oil can be tapped. "Energy independence means everything has to be open for discussion," Giuliani said when asked about offshore drilling.

TAXES

Wants to extend the 2001 and 2003 Bush tax cuts that reduced tax rates on income and investments and expanded the child tax credit. He also wants to lower corporate taxes and abolish the estate tax. Claims to have cut taxes 23 times while mayor.

CRITICS

His judgment has been questioned on several fronts, including his providing police protection to his then-mistress while mayor. Critics point out three of his appointees to head city agencies, including his former head of corrections and police commissioner, Bernard Kerik, have pleaded guilty to criminal charges. Giuliani recommended that President Bush name Kerik head of the Department of Homeland Security.