Rudy Rallies: How Many Times Will McCain's Staff Read This Today? (HRC Loses to Both in '08 Poll)

National Review Magazine ^ | 8/3/05 | Eric Pfieffer

[gopwinsin04]

Gallup tested John Kerry, Hillary Clinton, Rudy Guiliani, and John McCain in potential 2008 matchups.

Both McCain and Guiliani trump Hillary 50 to 45 percent in the hypothetical race. And both McCain and Guiliani come out on top over Kerry 54 to 41 percent.

McCain comes out very strong with a 51 percent favorable rating to 22 perecent negative. However, Rudy Guiliani beats the field with a 64 percent favorable rating to 19 percent negative.

There can be no doubt those numbers will fluctuate and settle closer to 50 percent range once the '08 camapign is in full swing.

However, if you're Guiliani staring across the podium at John Kerry, 64 percent approval is a much better starting point than 42.

That is a solid ten point drop from his 52 point approval rating in Gallup's polling last October. Hillary Clinton has a 53 to 43 percent approval rating, consistent with her numbers over the last two years.

[gopwinsin04]

IMO, Rudy looks like he could take this in a cakewalk if he modifies some of his positions on life.

[Always Right]

IMO, Rudy looks like he could take this in a cakewalk if he modifies some of his positions on life.

2008 will be no cakewalk and that is a big if. Rudy also needs to rethink gay marriage if he really wants a chance. Otherwise he will be running to the left of Hillary on the issue that propelled Bush in 2004.

[.cnI redruM]

It's a wee bit early for Gallup to get involved. What counts right now are endorsements, staff commitments and, oh yeah, Money.

[Uncle Miltie]

Seems to me neither McCain nor Guiliani will win the Republican nomination. Neither can assemble the core of the party: Conservatives.

[the gillman@blacklagoon.com]

I think either Guliani or Mcloon would be just as bad as the bridgetroll.

[Airborne1986]

McCain is the darling of the MSM as long as he is a thorn in President's Bush's side. If it ever becomes McCain versus any Democrat for the Presidency, the MSM will dust off all of the Keating Five stories, the adultery stories, rumors about McCain being nuts and his cancer history and try to take him down as hard as they went after President Bush - just with more ammunition. Rudy - similar story. The MSM will serve up a regular diet of his marital problems (the ex-wife will be trotted out) and cancer history. I fear that these two guys are being built up as front-runners by the MSM because they are perceived to be vulnerable to attack in the general election.

[Double Tap]

So why didn't they put any Republican names in the poll?

[cvq3842]

I agree with you. For better or worse, that's how it is. Whether I would like it to be different or not is irrelevant.

A scary thought: although it's clear the Republicans have a majority in Congress, state governorships, etc., is is not at all clear that there is a CONSERVATIVE majority nationally. The number of northeastern Republicans and other RINOs are of course part of the Republican mix.

I think that by and large when the battle is over ideas and principles the conservatives win.

I am very fearful that a third party challenge, some other Republican split or a lacklusted candidate could hand the White House to Hillary Clinton.

We have to be prepared for a tough fight.

[PhiKapMom]

Bingo! You are the winner! When the SCOTUS ruled Oklahoma could continue its closed primary system this spring that meant the McCain/Rudy train had come to a screeching halt because it affected every State with a closed primary. Only way either of them could get the nomination is if they had open primaries.

Right now Oklahoma activists I know support Senator George Allen after our Convention this spring where he spoke. I made a contribution at the end of the June reporting period and a lot of Oklahomans I know did likewise. He can transfer his Senate campaign funds to his Presidential campaign so we are helping early. Have no doubt he is running for President in 2008 after the speech he gave us.

If anyone gets a chance to hear Senator Allen speak, please go -- he is a terrific speaker and personable person.

[gopwinsin04]

I think there are too many Senators running to accurately poll. Frist, Brownback, Warner, Santorum etc.

[cvq3842]

I know what you mean!

[MattinNJ]

It's the EV that count. Bayh/Richardson are the ones to watch-Indiana (11) and New Mexico (5) brings them within 2 EV's. I can see Richardson carrying Nevada-we are vulnerable in the South West IMHO.

[zook]

I'm ready to swallow every bad thing I've said about McCain and throw my support behind a John & Rudy ticket. Why? !.Because there's no doubt about where McCain stands on the war on terror and the war in Iraq. 2. Because that's by far the most important issue facing America. 3. Because unlike every other Rep. candidate, they have a high likelihood of winning the election.

[EQAndyBuzz]

All/Rice in 08

[EQAndyBuzz]

oops.

Allen/Rice in 08

[BibChr]

As I always say in such discussions, for what party?

Because he cannot win the GOP primaries, and still be McMeMeMe.

Dan

[RoseofTexas]

"That is a solid ten point drop from his 52 point approval rating in Gallup's polling last October. Hillary Clinton has a 53 to 43 percent approval rating, consistent with her numbers over the last two years."

I can bet you the Farm, Hillary's poll numbers were taken in the NY area where the staunch left wing RAT folk live!

[threeleftsmakearight]

First and foremost, HRC must not be allowed to become president. If that means voting for McCain or Guiliani...so be it.
I think the best chance involves a ticket including Condo Rice.

[HitmanLV]

Part of the conservative line for the last several yeas has been for dems to put aside some of their social issues in this grave time of war, and pick someone well suited to the war on terror (or better suited), along the lines of a Lieberman.

Now, conservatives will have to practice what they preach.

To me, the #1 issue is the war on terror. Rudy won't repeal the 2nd Amendment singlehandedly, and Rudy won't keep Roe from getting overturned (it's not getting overturned anytime soon).

I'm willing to compromise (which is what I have asked the dems to do - with no positive result). On abortion, as long as Rudy is on the right side of the 2008 issues (parental notification, federal funding, partial birth abortion, etc), he is ok by me. He still has a couple of years to modify and articulate his position on these - I'll give him the chance.

Otherwise, I'd be a phony. And I'm not a phony. Now it's time for our side to show that we can make the sacrifices that we have been asking dems to make.

Anything less would be infantile.

[GOPJ]

Ummmm, my local dog catcher could beat Hillary, the intensity of her negatives are out of sight...