Buoyed by a new poll that put him atop the GOP field of presidential wannabes, Rudy Giuliani is seriously considering a run at the White House in 2012, aides say.
The former mayor is heading to New Hampshire this week — his second trip in a month — to meet with newspaper editors and supporters.
And with no compelling Democratic primary likely next February, aides believe New Hampshire independents would cast ballots in the GOP primary — and possibly give Giuliani an early boost.
Top aide Jake Menges said Giuliani would seriously consider a run if no other candidate emerges who might be able to beat President Obama.
Meanwhile, Giuliani tried out some potential 2012 campaign material at Cornell University.
He told the graduating class yesterday to believe that anything is possible — and underscored his point with a joke about Hillary Rodham Clinton, who like him unsuccessfully ran for president in 2008.
“I once saved Hillary Clinton’s life,” he said.
“You’re shocked,” he said, to a wave of laughter, before recalling that he pulled the now-secretary of state to safety when she nearly fell off a crowded stage years ago.
Then came the kicker.
“Don’t tell me Republicans and Democrats can’t get along,” he quipped, to applause, before adding, “Just don’t tell that story in South Carolina. Otherwise I won’t stand a chance” in that early primary state.