We have a little message for former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani: Do not want. The possible New York gubernatorial challenger to Gov. David Paterson, "America's Mayor" already informed us where he stands on things like marriage equality. But now he's promised to make it a campaign issue.

A "civil unions" type, John McCain-supporter and one-time presidential hopeful Giuliani recognized a political rift issue that's reminiscent of 2004: gay marriage. Seizing on Paterson's overt support for same-sex marriage, Giuliani, should he run for the post, plans to drum up his Republican base by pointing out how much of a crazy liberal that Paterson is.

The sitting governor's push for marriage equality "will create a grass-roots movement. This is the kind of issue that, in many ways, is somewhat beyond politics," Giuliani tells the Post. "I think gay marriage will obviously be an issue for any Republican next year because Republicans are either in favor of the position I'm in favor of, civil unions, or in many cases Republicans don't even favor civil unions."

Giuliani, who believes in the sanctity of marriage so strongly he wed three times, insists, "Marriage, I believe, both traditionally and legally, has always been between a man and a woman and should remain between a man and woman. And Democrats, including President Obama and Hillary Clinton, have essentially the same position I have, which is let's have civil unions but not go so far as to change the definition of marriage."

NB: Two of Giuliani's friends are gay, and plan to wed in Connecticut.

Though for all the bullshit Giuliani is spinning, you can't say the guy's a tool. Brash, repulsive, and deserving of exile, but not stupid. It's too bad he's already confirmed our worst suspicions about how the GOP is still operating: Drumming up fear in the minds of supporters on social issues, rather than focusing on what elected officials are supposed to do. Like upholding the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, and their guarantee of equality.