The latest example came Saturday in Romney’s speech to the Mackinac Republican Leadership Conference in Michigan, in which Romney will praise former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani’s (R) effort to clean up New York and suggest Detroit could use a similar program.

“Detroit needs to be given a Giuliani-style shake up,” Romney said, according to excerpts of his prepared remarks. “I hope the new mayor does just that. And Michigan needs to send a clear and resounding message to the world’s employers that Michigan is a good place for business.”

Romney’s gratuitous praise of Giuliani comes just days before 2008 GOP presidential nominee John McCain (R-Ariz.) is set to co-host a fundraiser for Romney’s Free and Strong America political action committee.