Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani picked up some presidential endorsements from the state GOP in Manhattan Monday.

New York GOP Chairman Joseph Mondello and more than 50 county chairmen from across the state backed the candidate at a news conference at the Sheraton New York hotel.

"It's the leadership quotient that makes a difference as to what our country will become. It's leadership that Giuliani will bring," Rockland County Executive Scott Vanderhoef said. Vanderhoef has been appointed a position in Giuliani's campaign to drum up support around the state.

Giuliani himself played up his unofficial title as "America's mayor," saying he would not back down in the face of terrorism.

The White House hopeful leads the Republican field of nominees in the polls.

AP wire reports contributed to this story.