GIULIANI '08: A REAL CHANCE

The New York Post ^ | 5/23/06 | John Podohertz

[Blackirish]

May 23, 2006 -- IN my new book ("Can She Be Stopped?"), I suggest that the Republican best suited to the challenge of preventing Hillary Clinton's ascension to the Oval Of fice in 2008 is Rudy Giuliani. A Fox News Opinion Dynamics poll released yesterday offers some strong ballast for the idea: In a head-to-head matchup, Rudy beats Hillary 49 percent to 40 percent, the best showing among all Republican contenders.

By contrast, John McCain has a 46-to-42 advantage over Hillary - besting her but not as decisively as Rudy does. Rudy is viewed favorably by 64 percent of those asked, McCain by 49 percent (Hillary: 50 percent).

And this is not a poll of Republicans alone: The respondents are 41 percent Democrat, 32 percent Republican and 21 percent independent.

It's probably not surprising that Rudy wins in a head-to-head contest for the presidency. After all, Hillary is a lightning rod - while he, once a hugely controversial figure, has become beloved.

But what about in a Republican primary? Can Rudy possibly win?

In surveys of Republican primary voters, two names top every list - Giuliani and McCain. Each gets support from around 30 percent, with every other possible contender hovering around 2 or 3 percent at most.

[Jim Noble]

The people who think the President is in charge of the national sex life won't vote for him.

He's my guy, as of now.

[Alberta's Child]

When I start seeing quasi-Marxist "neo-conservatives" who work for Rupert Murdoch's media empire serving as Rudy's biggest cheerleaders, my outright dislike of the guy is utterly vindicated.

Fortunately, Rudy Giuliani doesn't have a chance in hell of getting elected -- and has a remote chance at best of even securing the GOP nomination.

[areafiftyone]

From what I've read about the reaction to Rudy all over the U.S. including the South he could easily win in a landslide.

[Jameison]

"Rudy would not stand too well west of the Hudson River! "

If it's Rudy against Hitlery, its a nobrainer.
Rudy by a mile.
Voting for Hitelry will be tantamount to voting for Satan in my book.
And staying at home still gets you the Great Satan.

[Tanniker Smith]

The article is wrong about "every other candidate hovering at 2-3 percent".

Chuck Schumer was at one percent in the polls, and Geraldine Ferraro was supposed to have won the nomination.

And John Kerry wasn't doing much better against the Dean powerhouse.

TS

[Jameison]

"Fortunately, Rudy Giuliani doesn't have a chance in hell of getting elected "

Ya think?

[Blackirish]

Rudy knows that to win the nod he will have to cut right.
He will say how 9/11 changed him and how a fence needs to be built on the Southern border. It'll feed right into his law and order background.

He will also say he'll respect the Repub platform and promise to pick SCOTUS in the mold of Alito and Roberts.

With the weak Repub bench and the fear of Hillary ...that should nail it down.

[Alberta's Child]

Now we have a GOPer who is strong on the War on Terrorism . . .

What evidence do you have of this?

And I hate to break this to everyone out there, but for most voters the so-called "war on terror" hasn't been a major political issue in this country in almost four years.

[Arizona Carolyn]

I think, from all the posts I've read on FR, we could end up with a true conservate, but politically weak, GOP candidate. Someone who satisfies the base and cannot beat Hillary.

[muleskinner]

The people who think the President is in charge of the national sex life won't vote for him.

(Arnold voice)"That's a good one."

[garv]

I agree wholeheartedly. I think Rudy's positions on social issues will "evolve" and make him palatable to social conservatives. Team him with an up and coming traditional conservative for VP and get assurances on judicial appointments and he looks good.

[Alberta's Child]

Rudy knows that to win the nod he will have to cut right.

And that's exactly why he'll never win. Even the use of the phrase "he will have to cut right" is a admission on your part that his campaign would be predicated on complete bullsh!t.

[Salvation]

Better than McLaim.

[Diddle E. Squat]

Rudy couldn't win the job of dog catcher in my Area.(GA)

Well, except for the fact that he continues to poll well in GA, better than anyone else in the GOP.

[Always Right]

Team him with an up and coming traditional conservative for VP and get assurances on judicial appointments and he looks good.

Yep, and then prepare to be screwed when the actual appointments are made. He may be able to give assurances, but there is nothing to make him keep the promise.

[MartiniKing]

My opinion is if there is any increase in terrorism, Rudy wins hands down. The abortion issue, although still large will be put on the back burner. Any loss of conservative support will be made up by moderates. I just don't think Allen is ready for Prime Time. But then again what the heck do I know! LOL

[newgeezer]

Better than McLaim.

Six of one, a half-dozen of the other.

[Jameison]

"Rudy knows that to win the nod he will have to cut right."

Ruddy is going to have to put aside his personal preferences, and fight for conservative Republican policies.
The Party is stronger than any one man.
Gay marriage for example is definitely OUT
Heck even I wouldn't vote for Rudy if he starts campaigning with a pro-gay marriage agenda.

[Al Simmons]

"Voting for Hitlery will be tantamount to voting for Satan in my book. And staying at home still gets you the Great Satan."

*ROTFLMAO*!!!!!!!!!!

See my tagline...

[HitmanLV]

He has been a strong advocate of the war on Islamic Terrorism, especially contrasted to the lukewarm support of the war that Hillary has offered, and most of the dem contingent.

My comments had nothing to do with how important the war on Islamic terrorism is to the electorate at large. It was just to point out that part of the GOP message has been that it is more important than dem social agenda concerns. When those same people insist that GOP social concerns are as important, they look shallow, fake, and phony.

That would be because they are shallow, fake, and phony.