Giuliani's Blue-State Argument

Time ^ | October 22, 2007 | Michael Duffy

[Clintonfatigued]

Rudy Giuliani has never been shy about saying he is the only Republican who can beat Hillary Clinton. And lately he has been cranking up the volume on his pragmatic plea for the nomination, saying he is the only one who can scramble the Electoral College in the G.O.P.'s favor.

Speaking to a group of Jewish Republicans on October 16, Giuliani made the case that he alone could put states in play that Democrats have long taken for granted.

"We need a candidate that, you know, the day after the nomination, we don't close down our offices in 20 or 25 states, like we've been doing. We don't win the next election if we don't run a campaign in New York and California. I tell you, we don't."

And only Giuliani, or so his argument goes, can wage those races. "Do we give it away again? The margin of error isn't what it used to be. We decided to kiss away New York, California, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Washington, Oregon, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan — wow."

"I'm the one," he added, "who can be a coast-to-coast candidate."

[Southack]

The GOP only needs to re-win Red States.

As demonstrated in 2000 and 2004, that’s all that it takes to win the White House.

[Clintonfatigued]

The claim that Rudy can put the Democrats seriously on the defensive in their home turf is a potent one, even if one does not agree with him on every issue.

[Clintonfatigued]

Bush only won by 271 to 267 in 2000, and 286 to 252 in 2004. Also, Hispanics were an important part of Bush’s coalition, and that bloc doesn’t look promising this time around.

[Southack]

Winning is the key. The other strategy...pursuing Blue States...lost both in 2000 as well as 2004. For that matter it lost in 1996 and 1992, as well.

Gotta win Red States to win the White House. The other states don’t even count (harsh, but true).

[Clemenza]

Losing in every reputable (ie not Quinnipiac) poll in NJ, PA, MD, and Noo Yawk too.

[fieldmarshaldj]

"Also, Hispanics were an important part of Bush’s coalition, and that bloc doesn’t look promising this time around."

Unless we start trying the tack of asking LEGAL Hispanic residents if they like being lumped in with criminal invading hordes as the rodents have. If I were one, I'd be mad as hell.

[Clintonfatigued]

Actually, that’s not a bad idea.

[Sir Francis Dashwood]

, even if one does not agree with him on every issue.

You cannot separate the war on terrorism from the borders and the Second Amendment...

That pig don't fly.

[RockinRight]

I’m in Maryland and not holding out hope that ANY Republican can win this state.

[ChinaThreat]

Watch out. You are going to get clobbered by the hate-Rudy crowd here. I was supporting Thompson, but i see that Rudy may be the right choice despite my disagreements with him. Don’t expect to convince anyone, this is the crowd that stayed home to “punish the Republicans” in the last election. Reality and pragmatism mean nothing to this bunch.

[Clemenza]

Maryland’s biggest problem is that they have more government employees than any other state by a wide margin. If they ever make DC a state, I think that they should give PG County, Montgomery County, and Fairfax County in Virginia to the new state.

[RockinRight]

Works for me.

I’m in Howard County...and the state could probably go Republican without the DC-border counties.

[Sudetenland]

A year is a very long period of time for the American electorate, most of whom are watching "Dancing with the Stars," and not Hannity and Colmes or O'Reilly, or even Keith "the make-believe newsman" Olberman. I will really start worrying sometime around next September whether the polls are right or not and not really paying close attention until the middle of October.

Meanwhile, I will continue to write my Houston Conservative political blog, and record my Freedom Broadcast Network internet television show and watch NCIS, House and Boston Legal.

Oh yeah and watch the political circus. Liberals are fun to watch. They are soooo stoopid.

[ClarenceThomasfan]

Today, I heard Fred Barnes say that Rudy was only behind Hillaryhips by 5 points in New York. Only 5 points! Didn’t President Bush lose NY by 20 points? If Rudy wins NY its over. Folks, we may be in landslide territory next year.

[barnicus]

That is horrible thinking.

[Sudetenland]

The performance Hillary put in during that last debate and her reaction post debate...bringing in Bill to attack her opponents and Tim Russert...may well have been a "Jump the Shark" moment for her.

Only time will tell, but I can guarantee you that poor pitiful me routine she pulled on Rick Lazio won't wash for a presidential candidate. What's she gonna do when Putin or Ahmadinejad bitch slaps her around, go crying to Bill again?

The fun is just beginning...quick somebody pass me the popcorn.

[Sudetenland]

It’s very accurate thinking. If Rudy takes N.Y. what; you think Hillary is going to carry the South?

[org.whodat]

Rudy can put the Democrats seriously on the defensive in their home turf is a potent one,

You could say that, because he and billary agree about 98% of the time.

[org.whodat]

Folks, we may be in landslide territory next year.

Good then it will not matter if the gun owners stay home. Sac Off