Whatever he has been before or will be in the future, Mayor Rudolph Giuliani became the leader New York City needed in its worst moment. With little rhetoric and less poetry, he consoled a stunned populace trying to make sense through the smoke and beyond the jagged skyline. With phrases aimed at people rather than the history books, Mr. Giuliani rallied a city to ''go back to normal,'' to start going to restaurants, to try to work or go to school as a way to show its unbroken spirit.

While demanding that citizens reach into the depths of their natural fortitude, he also warned them not to behave badly, hitting a more familiar note when he threatened to levy on anyone caught gouging his fellow New Yorkers a fine of $500 per overpriced item. He pleaded for understanding for the city's Arab community, noting that hatred of others is ''what we're dealing with right now.'' And over all, he talked about how New York would emerge better and stronger, how his city would never bow to mere terrorism.


A man who has been known to dislike sharing the microphone suddenly was standing shoulder to shoulder with regular adversaries like Gov. George Pataki, Senators Charles Schumer and Hillary Clinton, Representative Charles Rangel. Even Mr. Giuliani's old enemies offered praise. Former Mayor Ed Koch, who has written an entire book describing Mr. Giuliani as a ''Nasty Man,'' noted pointedly that the mayor had done an excellent job and that ''some flawed people, in extraordinary times, lose their defects.'' Mr. Pataki, too, has been a calm and consoling figure for New York. Watching his tall figure move through the crowds next to Mr. Giuliani, people could see state and city working as a team on behalf of a profound, shared concern.

In the days ahead, the city will have different needs as New Yorkers suffer through the various stages of individual and communal grief. We will mourn and need comforting, pastoral relief. We will be angry and need a calming voice that leads to an unnatural patience and restraint. Through these aftershocks, we hope Mr. Giuliani can continue to guide us as expertly as he has since Tuesday morning. Until then, he deserves our gratitude for being there to start the city's revival.