At the same time, the mayor has often infuriated the Republican Party, which fumed as he pilloried George Pataki, a Republican, when he stood against Mr Cuomo (after Mr Pataki won, Mr Giuliani had a hard time repairing the relationship), and breathed a sigh of relief when the mayor finally (if half-heartedly) endorsed Mr Dole's candidacy.

ECONOMIST: Rudy Giuliani's middle way