GOP presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani will be standing on solidly Republican, though less than friendly ground Friday when he attends a private fundraiser in Colorado Springs.

Some of the state's most hard- core conservatives hail from El Paso County, and they don't believe the former New York mayor represents GOP values.

"Rudy Giuliani is the antithesis of what El Paso County is looking for in a Republican candidate," said state Sen. Dave Schultheis, R-Colorado Springs.

"He's pro-abortion. He's pro- gay rights. He's been married before. He does not have good relations with his family."

But other Republicans, including former gubernatorial candidate Marc Holtzman, back Giuliani, saying the candidate is strong on national security, law enforcement and other issues.

Most importantly, he said, polls show Giuliani is electable.

"Rudy was an extraordinary mayor of probably the most challenging city in the world," Holtzman said Tuesday.

Giuliani will attend an invitation-only luncheon in Colorado Springs, and then head to Aspen for a private afternoon reception.

Schultheis said he has spoken to many Republicans unhappy about Giuliani's candidacy.

"If we are going to try to move a Reagan-type Republican for office, Rudy Giuliani does not fit that mold," he said.

But wasn't Reagan divorced and estranged from his children?

"That might be, but he certainly tried," Schultheis said. "He made numerous efforts with his kids. And divorce is not the primary issue. It's the other values. I will never vote for a pro-abortion Republican." Giuliani was seen as favoring abortion rights when he served as mayor of New York City.

His presidential campaign Web site states his position on abortion as such:

"Rudy Giuliani supports reasonable restrictions on abortion such as parental notification with a judicial bypass and a ban on partial birth abortion - except when the life of the mother is at stake. He's proud that adoptions increased 66% while abortions decreased over 16% in New York City when he was mayor.

"But Rudy understands that this is a deeply personal moral dilemma, and people of good conscience can disagree respectfully."

Rudy roundups

Rudy Giuliani will be in Colorado on Friday for two invitation-only fundraisers.

• Colorado Springs

$250 luncheon at the Broadmoor

$500 luncheon and photo with Giuliani

$1,000 private "roundtable" at the home of Laura and Joel Midkiff

• Aspen

$2,300 afternoon reception and photo with Giuliani at the home of Melanie Sturm and Marc Zachary

bartels@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5327

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