Rudy Giuliani is an American politician who served as the 44th President of the United States (1997 - 2005). Giuliani's political rise was very rapid, within six years going from New York District Attorney to President of the United States. A Moderate Republican, Giuliani narrowly defeated incumbent President Mario Cuomo in the 1996 presidential election. In 2005 he left office, with a largely good approval rating of 58%. He has since been regarded highly by both Republicans and Democrats.