Charlie and Rudy

Republican mayoral candidate Charlie Winburn (above, right) met with former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani Wednesday and picked up his endorsement.

Afterward, Winburn still seemed a little star-struck by the encounter. "He was so gracious to me," Winburn said. "I told him, 'When I grow up I want to be just like you.'"

"When I got into this campaign, I said I understood the first thing we had to do was restore order. I said, 'I really want to be like Rudolph Giuliani.' I want to go down in history as someone who was able to reduce crime."

Also included in the 45-minute discussion at U.S. Bank arena -- which was closed to reporters -- were Hamilton County Republican Party Chairman George Vincent, GOP executive director Brad Greenberg, political director Maggie Nafziger, Winburn campaign manager Stephen Rosfeld and Fraternal Order of Police President Sgt. Harry Roberts.

(Winburn campaign photo)