Giuliani in '08 might be an uphill battle against McCain

New York Newsday ^ | December 10 2005 | GLENN THRUSH

[jmc1969]

WASHINGTON -- Rudy Giuliani and John McCain are the top-polling Republican rivals for the White House in 2008, but the two dinner buddies avoid talking about that topic when sharing tortellini and bresaola at Giuliani's favorite Manhattan bistros.

Their latest get-together took place on Nov. 1 at Elio's, an Upper East Side eatery known for its $30 veal chops. They shared a table with McCain confidante Mark Salter, Giuliani's wife Judith and his aide-de-camp Tony Carbonetti. McCain and Giuliani reportedly chatted about the food, sports and Iraq -- everything but 2008.

The same can't be said for the Arizona senator's operatives, who are girding for a clash between the two titans even though Giuliani could be a year away from making a decision. Some even predict the Straight Talk Express will roll over America's Mayor if it comes down to McCain vs. Giuliani.

"I think Rudy would make an attractive secretary of state or secretary of defense in a McCain administration," Marshall Wittmann, a former McCain aide who is still close to the senator.

"In my humble opinion, Rudy wouldn't get out of the gate," said longtime McCain strategist John Dennehy, who helped engineer the Arizona senator's victorious 2000 primary in New Hampshire.

[nopardons]

Great choice! I too would like to see Haley run.

[onyx]

Haley Barbour is definitely the best man, but the best man doesn't always win. We still need him here in MS, but I'd certainly support him, should he decide to seek the nomination.

[Susannah]

I'm aware of the negative side of McCain and I'm still upset over how the media focused on him when he was criticizing Bush. I just think that we also have to look at the conservative issues that he has compared to other candidates. He's a free-trader too...voted against the tariffs and in favor of all the trade deals.
Also, assuming the war continues, they certainly won't be able to call McCain a "chickenhawk".

I admire Giuliani, but I don't trust him to uphold gun rights and choose conservative judges.

[JoeSixPack1]

McCain is Hitlery's Ross Perot against Guiliani.

[Collier]

Rudy never ran against Hillary. I think he would have beat her if he did.

[Calpernia]

>>>>I'm aware of the negative side of McCain and I'm still upset over how the media focused on him when he was criticizing Bush. I just think that we also have to look at the conservative issues that he has compared to other candidates.

Negative side? Conservative issues? We are talking death of our MIL personnel. How do you call that negative and look for a conservative view in DEATH????

[cgbg]

McCain has been saying a lot of the right things lately--everywhere, from sea to shining sea, in front of every camera that he can find.....but, he cannot be trusted, and trust is the most important thing in a Presidential candidate.

McCain is blind ambition, supporting the pet causes of the media.

His campaign finance "reform" bill trashed the first amendment and reformed nothing as campaigns easily circumvented its stupid provisions.

This legislation was so bad that no person who respected the liberties of the American people could have supported it, much less proposed it.

McCain's current pro-Iraq speechmaking is imho a calculated appeal to the Republican base.

He can't earn my trust--he has lost it for this lifetime.

[185JHP]

BTTT

[SC33]

"In a bid to pick up President George W. Bush supporters, McCain's backers have been casting him as the president's conservative heir-apparent in key primary states like Michigan, New Hampshire and South Carolina, where the senator suffered his most bitter primary defeat."

Something tells me both these men will have alot of trouble down here in South Carolina, God willing.

[motzman]

I would never vote for McCain. I used to think "anything but Hillary", but at this point, I wouldn't care either way if it was Hillary v McCrazy.

OTOH, I will knock on doors to get people to vote for Rudy. I worked in NYC before he was Mayor, and after. THE MAN CAN LEAD. I don't agree with all his positions, but I completely trust him to kick the tar out of terrorists, which is the A-1 priority.

McCrazy is far too unstable to be President. And he does not inspire any confidence that he will vigorously prosecute the war. He says one thing, then undermines the troops and our efforts. Plus, he hates the first amendment.

I despise McCain.

[Left2Right]

Oh man, you must be reading my mind. No way Insane McCain is getting my vote. He'll probably end up as Hillary's running mate anyway.

I'll go out on a limb here, but I'm betting that Gov. Huckabee is going to throw his hat in the rring in 2008.

[freespirited]

Title: Guiliani 08 might be an uphill battle against McCain

Article text: Last month, a nationwide Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll showed Giuliani beating McCain, 34 percent to 31 percent, in the GOP primary. And 20 percent of Republicans polled said they wouldn't vote for the senator under any circumstances, with only 8 percent of voters expressing similar distaste for Giuliani.

Wow. That is what you call one uphill battle for Rudy (not to be taken as an endorsement by me).

Meanwhile, reliable sources tell me that more than 90% of the pajama people reported that they would not vote for McCain under any circumstances. Not today, nor tomorrow, not ever.

85% said they sometimes wished he would join another party ...

[Bombard]

Watch out for Sen. Allen on VA!!!!

[Howlin]

Neither of these guys can get past the Base.

And nobody in the GOP believes that! Boy, are they in for a surprise.

[motzman]

Oh man, you must be reading my mind

Not really reading your mind, but here's an actual picture of me while freeping



I know, I know, I need a haircut.

And a manicure...

[Petronski]

Glenn Thrush?

Oral thrush is a disorder caused by infection of the mouth with the fungus (yeast) Candida albicans.

[Left2Right]

I hear, I obey....

[epow]

That seems strange that he would support a Senator who is 100% pro-life and standing up for gun rights

McCain went from state to state after the school shooting at Columbine campaigning for passage of more gun control laws in those states. He also crafted the unconstitutional CFR law which has severely diminished the influence of pro-gun orgs like NRA and GOA on Capitol Hill.

I haven't heard him say anything regarding the abortion issue, but I don't trust him to stand strong for the sanctity of human life on religious or moral principle the way Bush has throughout his time in office.

As for Rudy, no way Jose. AFAIC Rudy is totally disqualified for any high office because of his position on both human life and 2nd Amendment issues.

[Clemenza]

Giuliani: Gun grabbing, gay-loving, pro-abort, pro-spending, corrupt associations. Loved by the liberal media due to the above positions. OVERRATED due to September 11th.

McCain: Good on pork barrel spending, pro-life, usually good on R2KBA issues. Nevertheless, has a tendency to flip flop and grandstand if it gets him good press.

I really hope that their are more alternatives. If it came down to McCain and Giussolini, I would hold my nose and vote McCain.

[Clemenza]

That's because few people, even Republicans, really know about Rudy's stance on important national issue. They only drank the media Kool Aid on Giuliani because of 9/11.