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GOP's Austin Backs Giuliani's Bid

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By WILLIAM MARCH, The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 7, 2007

TAMPA Republican presidential primary frontrunner Rudy Giuliani secured a coup in the Tampa Bay area this week: the support of high-level GOP fundraiser Al Austin.

Austin, a developer, has held top fundraising posts in the state and national Republican parties and in major Republican campaigns for years, including those of both Bush brothers.

He will be Giuliani's state finance co-chairman, along with shipping executive Dan Sargeant of Boca Raton.

Austin was recruited heavily by the primary candidates but stayed neutral, at least in part, he said, to see what effect Fred Thompson's entry would have on the race.

He said he chose largely based on which candidate has the best chance of winning.

'I felt I could have a comfort level with any of the top three candidates,' he said. 'At the end of the day, it's which one has the best chance to win the Republican nomination and the strongest candidate against Hillary Clinton, who I presume will be the Democratic nominee.

'We've got to have a Republican president to finish the job' in the war on terrorism, he said.

Austin said each of the Republicans has strong and weak points.

'Some of Giuliani's positions are a little more liberal than I'd have liked, but that will make Democrats more comfortable voting for him,' Austin said.

Austin probably is best known publicly as the point man behind Tampa's two attempts, in 2004 and again this year, to host the Republican National Convention.

Reporter William March can be reached at (813) 259-7761 or wmarch@tampatrib.com.

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