Giuliani and the Iraq Study Group

The New York Times has an article about Rudolph Giuliani's early involvement with, and subsequent departure from, the Iraq study group. Apparently Giuliani missed a number of meetings because he was beginning the early stages of his presidential campaign (i.e. giving $100,000 speeches and the like).

Mr. Giuliani left the panel after being given an ultimatum to either show up for meetings or leave the group.

His explanation for leaving? He was planning on running for president. He said,

It seemed to me that it should be apolitical. The people who were on it are all people who have had very, very distinguished careers, but none of them are actively involved in politics or considering running for office.

So, he left the group because the partisan nature of his future presidential campaign might in some way tarnish what the group was striving for? That seems questionable, especially when one thinks about how great "I was a part of the Iraq Study Group" would sound as a part of a presidential campaign. I don't know what exactly happened behind the scenes, but I don't believe for one second that Giuliani left simply to preserve the integrity of the group.