Tax cut advocate Forbes endorses Giuliani in NY

Republican Presidential hopeful and former mayor of New York City Rudy Giuliani and Steve Forbes, chief executive of Forbes magazine, ring the opening bell at the NASDAQ market in New York, March 28, 2007.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Fiscal conservative Steve Forbes on Wednesday endorsed former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani's bid to become the Republican nominee for president in the 2008 race for the White House.

Forbes, chief executive of Forbes magazine who unsuccessfully sought the Republican nomination in 1996 and 2000, is considered a leader of the party's pro-business and tax-cutting wings.

"He is the man who can lead America in a world that is uncertain, fight the forces of evil and at the same time increase economic opportunity here at home," Forbes told a press conference.

Giuliani's Republican credentials have been questioned by some social conservatives in the party but he nevertheless is leading in early polls. Earlier this month he was endorsed by conservative Sen. David Vitter of Louisiana despite Giuliani's past support for abortion rights, gun control and gay rights.