Peter King: I Know Where Giuliani Is Coming From

BLITZER: "I'll ask you a question that have been asked other Republicans who are thinking of running for the Republican presidential nomination. And I know you're thinking of running yourself. You visited New Hampshire a few times already. What did you think of the former New York City mayor, Rudy Giuliani's suggestion, his blunt statement that the president of the United States does not love America?"

KING: "Rudy Giuliani is a friend of mine. I would not have said it the way he said it. But when Rudy and I discussed this with Rudy, I was actually with him earlier that evening, he made the statement. He is so frustrated and angered at what he sees as a policy, which is hurting the U.S. and the president's lack of intensity when he describes it. The point he was trying to make, I believe, is that the president seems reluctant to show the type of emotion that other presidents have shown and that type of actual dedication. And I believe the president does want to get the job done. But again, he does show to me a lack of intensity. He almost discusses these things in an academic way, and I find that -- it's certainly disturbing. Because I would not have said what Rudy said, but again, where he was coming from, I know what he was trying to say, because he's very, very concerned that the president's lack of really emotion, failure to show emotion and somehow this desire the president has to show a certain equivalency, Rudy saw 9/11. He finds this very disturbing, and I would not have used that terminology, but I understand where Rudy was coming from. And he's again, as far as I'm concerned, an outstanding American."

BLITZER: "Well, give me a yes or no. Do you believe the president loves America?"

KING: “I think he does, but he has a different level of intensity than I would or Rudy would or others. But does he love the country? Sure. He's the president of the United States.”

BLITZER: “And so it was a blunder on his part, Giuliani, to make an assertion like that? You believe that?”

KING: “No, I wouldn't say it's a blunder. I'd say Rudy expressed it the way that I wouldn't have said it. But on the other hand, I know what Rudy was trying to say. And I have too much respect for Rudy to say that it was a blunder. I just say I would have said it differently.”

BLITZER: “Should he apologize to the president?

KING: “No. I think Rudy has explained what he meant. I think that's enough. And again, when I think of all the things that were said about George Bush and how Bush lied and people died and somehow President Bush didn't care, or even President Obama himself or Senator Obama then back in 2008, when he said that President Bush was unpatriotic. No, listen, again, Rudy has said it. He's explained what he meant. I thought today's op-ed in the "Wall Street Journal" laid it out pretty well. And I hope maybe we can use this as a kickoff to a debate about what has to be done and why the president should show more intensity and emotion.”