Hoffa was president of the Teamsters when Reagan was president of the Screen Actors Guild. Before the 1962 Governor's race Hoffa pushed Reagan to run and offered union support. Reagan didn't do it but some people think it was Hoffa who first put the idea in his head.
Roy Williams used to say that Hoffa pestered Reagan about running and Reagan got sick of hearing it. I don't know if that's right or not but that's what Williams used to say.
Interesting. I can usually find stuff in the old LA Times archives, but I’m not finding anything about this (or any reports of the parties you mentioned). What is your source? I would like to read more.
If Rudy really takes money, even one cent, for speeches given about 9-11, he is of low character and does not deserve to hold the office of dog-catcher, much less president.