MANCHESTER-- Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani credited John McCain with helping to rally Republican support for the financial bailout legislation that failed in the House of Representatives.

Giuliani made the comments while campaigning in New Hampshire for Executive Councilor Ray Wieczorek (R-Manchester).

"I believe Senator McCain did a very important thing last week when he suspended his campaign, went to Washington, tried to put things together. I think it was mistake for the Democrats to reject him the way they did," Giuliani said at a press conference with local reporters. "I think that Senator McCain actually, in spite of that, played a role in bringing a lot of Republicans along. I think there were only like two or three Republicans supporting it when Senator McCain went there and something like 70 or 60 now support it. I think if everybody can play more of a collaborative role Senator McCain can bring more of them in."

The bill was defeated in the House by a 228 to 205 vote. One hundred forty Democrats voted in favor of the bill and 65 Republicans also voted "yea."

Giuliani also blamed House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for not being able to get enough Democrats to vote for the bill.

"I know, simplistically, people want to blame it on the Republicans, but the House Speaker wasn't about to bring along a third of her own members," he added.

Tomorrow Giuliani will attend two economic roundtable discussions on behalf of John McCain and Sarah Palin.