St. Petersburg, FL (LifeNews.com) -- Rudy Giuliani came under fire last week for saying he supported taxpayer funding of abortion and then backing off the remarks a day later. But the former New York City mayor made a campaign swing through Florida and told people there that he supported the state government's efforts to save Terri Schiavo's life.

During the high profile legal battle, the Florida state legislature approved a bill to allow then-Gov. Jeb Bush to prevent Terri's former husband Michael from taking her life.

Congress also approved, and President Bush signed, a measure allowing federal courts to review the Schindler family's lawsuit to prevent her euthanasia death.

While those efforts ultimately failed to save Terri's life, politicians on both sides of the aisle have been asked about their thoughts on those efforts.

Giuliani told reporters he supported those attempts to prevent the painful 13-day starvation and dehydration death that ultimately killed Terri.

"I thought it was appropriate to make every effort to give her a chance to stay alive," he said at the campaign stop.

The comments come in contrast to those from former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, who upset pro-life advocates and Terri's family last month when he said he disagreed with the government's efforts to save her life.

"I think it's probably best to leave these kinds of matters in the hands of the courts," Romney said.

"I generally think that it's not a good idea for courts to legislate. Nor is it great idea for legislatures to adjudicate in a specific circumstance," the former Massachusetts governor added.

Romney has been trying to connect with pro-life advocates after changing his position on abortion just a couple years ago and those remarks were seen as hurting his efforts.

Related web sites:
Terri Schindler Schiavo Foundation - http://www.terrisfight.org