NEW YORK - Republican presidential contender Fred Thompson cast himself as the “consistent conservative” in remarks Monday night, swiping at GOP rival Rudy Giuliani on the former New York mayor's home turf.

“Some think the way to beat the Democrats in November is to be more like them. I could not disagree more,” the one-time Tennessee senator said in a speech before the Conservative Party of New York.

The party invited Thompson to speak at its Fall Reception instead of Giuliani. While the party's chairman Michael Long has said the invitation wasn't intended to slight anyone, he has pointed out that the party has clashed with Giuliani on some issues.

In his two terms as mayor, Giuliani staunchly supported abortion rights, gay rights and gun control - and was left-of-center on a host of other issues. He's also been divorced twice.

Giuliani was also once a Democrat.

And, the ex-mayor's central argument for Republicans to nominate him is that he gives them the most likely shot to win in the general election.

Thompson didn't mention Giuliani's name in his remarks Monday, but he was clearly trying to draw a contrast with the rival who's leading in national Republican polls.

“My friends, I suggest it's not time for psychological flexibilities in terms of our principles, that's the surefire way of making sure we don't win,” he said.

Thompson touted his eight-year Senate tenure and boasted of working to further the conservative causes of smaller government, lower taxes, less regulation and conservative judges.

In fact, while he was seen as a reliably conservative vote in the Senate, he sometimes strayed from the party line and focused more on investigating than legislating.

Conversely, Giuliani voted for Democratic presidential nominee George McGovern in 1972. As a Republican mayor, he broke from the GOP and endorsed Democratic Gov. Mario Cuomo in an unsuccessful race for a fourth term.

The New York Conservatives, the state's fourth-largest party, hasn't yet endorsed a candidate. The party plans to throw its support behind a candidate after meeting with all the major Republican candidates, and a GOP nominee is named.

As of Monday, none of the other major Republican candidates had been scheduled to speak, Long said.

Thompson's address to the Conservative Party was his first public event since participating in his first presidential debate in Michigan last Tuesday. He was scheduled to be in New Hampshire late last week for a fundraising breakfast for Manchester Mayor Frank Guinta, but he canceled his trip. Aides say he also plans stops this week in Washington, Georgia and Florida.

Ahead of Thompson's speech, Giuliani's campaign arranged for several deputy mayors who served in his administrations to hold a news conference in Times Square to promote his success in reducing crime, overhauling welfare and cutting taxes.

“Some candidates talk the talk about Republican principles. Others actually have a proven track record of governing according to Republican principles. Rudy Giuliani has that record,” Randy Mastro, a deputy mayor in Giuliani's first term told the AP before the news conference.