ANOTHER LIKELY PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE VISITS FLORIDA THIS WEEK

The Sarasota Herald Tribune notes this morning that former New York City mayor Rudolph Giuliani will be in the area this week as one of several featured lecturers for the Ringling School Library Association's 2007 Town Hall series.

Giuliani's name has been mentioned for some time as a likely GOP presidential candidate, and a few months ago he formed a exploratory committee to determine if he has the support to make a feasible run for the White House. The former mayor was last in the area several months ago to assist the congressional campaign of fellow Republican Vern Buchanan. He told the Herald Tribune that his visit to Southwest Florida has nothing to do with a possible presidential run.

His lectures will likely touch on his role as mayor in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, his various business ventures, and his battle against prostate cancer.

Giuliani actually isn't the only top-tier speaker scheduled for the lecture series. Also scheduled: Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak (February 12), author Daniel Pink (March 5), primate researcher Jane Goodall (March 27), and musician/producer Quincy Jones (April 11).