Of all the ways to introduce Rudy Giuliani, this has to be the least sensible. From the Federalist Society's 25th anniversary conference:

Just a week after the indictment of former Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik, [former Solicitor General Ted Olson] said Giuliani had shown "the wisdom and humility to surround himself with talented, dedicated and energetic people" as mayor.

Seriously? Giuliani's strength is his choice in associates? Let's put that to the test:

* Giuliani inexplicably backed Bernie Kerik, and made him the city's police commissioner, after he'd been briefed on Kerik's organized crime connections.

* Alan Placa was accused by a grand jury report of sexually abusing children, as well as helping cover up the sexual abuse of children by other priests. Giuliani then put Placa, his life-long friend, on the payroll of Giuliani Partners. (Adds Anne Barrett Doyle, co-director of BishopAccountability.org, which tracks suspected priest abuse, "I think Rudy Giuliani has to account for his friendship with a credibly accused child molester.")

* Kenneth Caruso, a close Giuliani friend and business partner, has been accused of conspiring to steal $10 million invested through a Caribbean bank.

* Thomas Ravenel, the chairman of Giuliani's presidential campaign in South Carolina, was indicted on cocaine distribution charges.

* Arthur Ravenel, the replacement chairman of Giuliani's presidential campaign in South Carolina, has characterized the NAACP as the "National Association for Retarded People," and has an unusual fondness for the Confederate battle flag.

* Sen. David Vitter (R-La.), the family-values conservative caught up in a prostitution scandal, was not only Giuliani's top Senate backer, he was also the regional chairman of Giuliani's campaign.

A "talented, dedicated and energetic" group, to be sure.