From the NewsMax.com Staff

For the story behind the story...

Former FBI Director Louis Freeh Endorses Rudy Giuliani

Reprint Information

Book on Katie Couric Makes Waves White House: We're Not Subject to FOIA FBI Seeks 2 Mysterious Men on Ferry Publisher: Conservatives Do Read As Much As Liberals Romney Shrugs Off Mormon History Film

Republican presidential contender Rudy Giuliani was endorsed Thursday by former FBI director Louis Freeh, whom he has known for three decades.

Freeh's endorsement is viewed by supporters as a boost to Giuliani's image as a strong leader against terrorism and crime in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. On the campaign trail, Giuliani has asserted that he and his fellow Republicans have the best approach to deterring terrorism.

"Rudy Giuliani's optimistic leadership is responsible for making the city of New York what it is today, one of the safest largest cities in the country and a place where the world feels safe to visit," Freeh said in a statement prior to a news conference.

"No one knows better than Louie Freeh what it takes to fight crime," said Giuliani.

Story Continues Below

Freeh, whose eight year-tenure as FBI director was marked by a long-running feud with President Clinton, also will serve as senior homeland security adviser for Giuliani's campaign and will head the candidate's Delaware campaign. Freeh lives in Wilmington, Del.

The two have known each other since the 1970s; Freeh prosecuted New York mafia cases under Giuliani, who was then the U.S. attorney in Manhattan.

Freeh has long pushed to expand U.S. intelligence gathering overseas and was responsible for positioning FBI agents as liaison in key countries around the globe.

Story Continues Below

Clinton appointed Freeh, a former federal judge, to become the nation's top lawman in 1993. But the relationship between the two men soured over the White House scandal investigations and what Freeh later claimed was Clinton's soft stance on terrorism.

Freeh resigned as FBI director in June 2001, and is now president of Freeh Group International, a legal affairs consulting firm.

© 2007 Associated Press.

Editor's note:
Giuliani`s `X` Factor -- What It Means -- Read More
Is Alan Greenspan Telling the Truth About Inflation? Find Out the Answer Here!
What Happens When Easy Money Disappears? 12 Ways to Profit.
Throw away Xanax, Valium – calm yourself naturally

Read more on this subject in related Hot Topics:

2008 Presidential Race
Rudy Giuliani

Inside Cover Stories
FBI Seeks 2 Mysterious Men on Ferry

Publisher: Conservatives Do Read As Much As Liberals

Romney Shrugs Off Mormon History Film

Bob Grant to Return to Radio

Carville Seeks Perfect '08 Bumper Sticker More Inside Cover Stories