RUDY GIULIANI is declaring war on gay marriage — vowing to use his strong opposition of it against the Democrats if he runs for governor next year.
The former mayor, in an extended interview with The Post, also predicted that Gov. Paterson’s high-profile effort to legalize gay marriage would anger many New Yorkers and spark a revolt that could help sweep Republicans into office in 2010.
“This will create a grass-roots movement. This is the kind of issue that, in many ways, is somewhat beyond politics,” said Giuliani, a two-term mayor who unsuccessfully sought the GOP presidential nomination last year.
“I think gay marriage will obviously be an issue for any Republican next year because Republicans are either in favor of the position I’m in favor of, civil unions, or in many cases Republicans don’t even favor civil unions,” he continued.
Giuliani, who is slated to address a Republican fund-raising gala in Albany tonight in what is widely described as further proof of his interest in running for governor, said he’s committed to the traditional definition of marriage.
“Marriage, I believe, both traditionally and legally, has always been between a man and a woman and should remain between a man and woman,” said Giuliani, who has been married three times.
“And Democrats, including President Obama and Hillary Clinton, have essentially the same position I have, which is let’s have civil unions but not go so far as to change the definition of marriage.
“And that has to embrace many Democratic voters, if two Democrats like that nationally have the same position essentially that I have.”
While Obama and Clinton oppose gay marriage, Sens. Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, along with Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith, all Democrats, are in favor.
Paterson introduced legislation last week to legalize gay marriage, despite warnings from supporters that there aren’t enough votes to pass it in the Senate, which is narrowly controlled by Democrats.
The move, which privately angered many gay-marriage supporters — who fear a defeat would set back the gay-rights movement — was widely seen as an effort by Paterson to shore up rapidly eroding support among Democratic primary voters.
Giuliani echoed that view of Paterson’s motive, saying, “I think he’s worried and, given his [low polling] numbers, it wouldn’t be normal if he wasn’t worried about a primary challenge from, I guess, Cuomo.
“But somebody else could also come out of anywhere with numbers like that.”
Giuliani called Paterson’s move risky, saying, “To solidify the Democratic base that way is to put yourself in jeopardy with New York voters as a whole.”
A Quinnipiac poll earlier this month found only 41 percent of New York voters — and just 33 percent of black voters — back gay marriage.
Giuliani, the GOP’s best hope to recapture the Governor’s Mansion, said he’s in no rush to make up his mind about running for governor, although he vowed to do so before the end of the year.