[Oyabun]

AP - Former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani has said he will probably run for president in 2008.

"There's a real good chance," Giuliani, a Republican, said after a 30-minute speech and question-and-answer session with party leaders in South Carolina.

On Giuliani's first visit to New Hampshire last weekend since setting up the committee, he told reporters he had received a tremendous amount of enthusiasm and support from people.

But he said he had not yet decided whether he could make a "unique contribution" toward strengthening the United States that would justify a run for president.




He has emphasised his steady hand dealing with the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks. However, his moderate stances on gun control, abortion, gay rights and other social issues could be liabilities for him in a Republican presidential primary that includes hard-core conservatives as a central voting group.

For instance, in November, South Carolina voters overwhelmingly approved a constitutional ban on same-sex unions.

"The fact is I appeal to conservative Christians the way I appeal to everyone else," Giuliani said at a news conference. "I don't think you have separate appeals to people."

Giuliani formed a presidential exploratory committee in November to prepare for a possible bid for the Republican nomination in 2008. It lets him raise money and travel the country, gauging how much support there could be for him.

In his few first weeks, Giuliani took in $US1.4 million ($A1.8 million). He collected donations online, and held a major fundraising event in New York in December.

Financial documents show that by the start of this year Giuliani had about $US1 million ($A1.29 million) available, having spent money to set up campaign headquarters, buy equipment and hire workers.

The Republicans' top tier of candidates for 2008 includes Arizona Senator John McCain, former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee and Kansas Senator Sam Brownback.