Giuliani Plans Return to Politics

WASHINGTON – Rudolph Giuliani (search) plans to return to politics, he said Wednesday, but argued it's too early to say if that will be for the 2008 presidential campaign.

"I think I'll return to politics," Giuliani said during a speech to business leaders.

Dubbed "America's Mayor," after his performance in leading New York City during the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks, Giuliani has spent the years since working as a highly-paid corporate executive and public speaker.

The event, hosted by Visa USA, brought together business leaders, anti-fraud experts, and government officials to discuss credit card security — but the first question from audience members concerned his possible return to public office.

Asked if he had any "political visions," Giuliani laughed and rubbed his forehead.

"I have some political visions. I don't know what they are yet, they're a little foggy," he said.

Though he wasn't asked specifically about the next presidential campaign, Giuliani mentioned the 2008 race and said "it's too far away" to make a decision on running.

National polls regularly place Giuliani among the most popular Republican vote-getters, and he is asked about his plans at almost every public appearance. He usually deflects the question by suggesting he would not decide on 2008 until after the 2006 congressional elections.

During a visit to Denmark on Sunday, Giuliani said he would consider the presidential race "next year."

In the 2004 presidential campaign, the former mayor campaigned strenuously for President Bush's re-election.