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Gary Hopper, a former state representative who is still politically active, took issue with Giuliani's prescription for the Republican Party.

"The broad tent that Giuliani speaks of is what got us into trouble to begin with," Hopper said. "The reason we lost is because the Second Amendment people, the conservatives, the pro-life people, the people who will hold signs for you on a cold November day were gone, they stayed home."

New Hampshire voters are used to getting a lot of face time with individual candidates and they pride themselves on closely examining all of the contenders before making up their minds. Most people in attendance on Saturday remain uncommitted, but even those who support other candidates acknowledged Giuliani's potential in the state, especially given that New Hampshire has an open primary system that allows independents to vote for candidates in either party.

Independents helped propel John McCain to victory in the Granite State in 2000, and he has maintained a solid organization here. His exploratory committee hosted a post-meeting reception at the nearby Merrimack Restaurant featuring Utah Governor Jon Huntsman. However, a lot has changed in seven years years, with indications that McCain has lost support among independents, while campaign finance reform has rankled conservatives. Romney, meanwhile, has aggressively hired talent in the state and locked up key endorsements.

Thomas Rath, the just departed Republican National Committeeman from New Hampshire, has already endorsed Romney. But he conceded that Giuliani "has a brand. He has a pre-sell," referring to the aura that has surrounded Giuliani since the September 11 attacks. "People haven't forgotten that. He will get a longer look than some might, because of how people perceive him. That will get him in the door, into the living room, but then he has to sell."

Should Giuliani ever make it to the White House, this may go down as the weekend that he morphed into a presidential candidate.

Manchester Mayor Frank Giunta, who met with Giuliani privately before the address, said Giuliani didn't disclose to him whether he had made a decision to run, but observed that "it certainly sounds like he'll be back."

topics:
Taxes, John McCain, Business, Abortion