Posted on 02/08/2007 9:16:33 PM PST by Reagan Man
WASHINGTON -- Eager to head off Rudolph Giuliani's recent gains in the polls, conservative activists this week strengthened their attacks, with some promising to step up their efforts on the Internet, talk radio and "below-the-radar" to discredit him going forward.
They are taking direct aim at one of Giuliani's strongest selling points, at least to some backers -- that he is the Republicans' best hope of stopping Hillary Rodham Clinton.
These critics argue that his nomination would prompt a conservative third-party candidate to join the race and split the GOP vote, clearing the way for Clinton's election.
"There's no way conservatives could stand for Giuliani becoming the Republican nominee," said Richard Viguerie, one of the founders of the modern conservative movement. "I guarantee whoever the Democrats nominate would be the next president."
~ship~
He backed off his earlier opposition to a ban on the medical procedure referred to as partial-birth abortion, and expressed support for gun owners' Second Amendment rights, even though as New York mayor he sued gun manufacturers and argued that more guns lead to more crime.
~snip~
So social conservatives -- for whom Giuliani's support for abortion rights, gun control and gay unions are anathema -- are speaking out. Some say they would use the tools at their disposal to tell voters about Giuliani's social stances.
Viguerie, a direct-mail pioneer, argued it no longer takes millions of mailings to make the case, thanks to talk radio, the Internet and other "below-the-radar" media.
Tony Perkins, head of the conservative Family Research Council, told a conservative radio host that Giuliani's positions are "far outside the mainstream of conservative thought ... Once people focus on this election and the candidates, Giuliani's lead will diminish."
(Excerpt) Read more at newsday.com ...
All liberals annoy me.
Remember how the MSM ran polls that showed the President losing to an unnamed 'rat? He consistently polled better than real people, but the press made a big deal about how those polls proved he could be beaten.
Here is why the attacks on Rudy from the Left and Right will become more desperate: Rudy Giuliani is clearly the most popular Republican in the country. Full stop.
If he's welcome at The Citadel he will have support all over the South. And if he gets even a little support from the South to go with his powerful advantages in the large Midwest and Northeastern states, he'll win the nomination easily.
Come on! Rudy isn't even in the ball park, I can't even take his supporters seriously. He is the most unrepublican candidate out there. What is happening?
Conservatives don't have to target Rudy, he's an idiot who has targeted himself with his past actions.
Public figures can no longer give opposing views to each select audience to win their support by shamelessly telling them what they want to hear, the electronic media remembers every word.
All conservatives have to do is to replay Rudy's past speech's and he is toast.
Can't happen soon enough!
And funnily enough, whilst many of them were once Dems, most of those whom the denigrate on FR, NEVER were. Go figure.....
The present fracture is dangerous and wrong - if this continues, it will create a split that will not be easily healed. Furthermore, infighting is going to distract the Republicans from crafting a "Morning in America" type campaign that they desperately need.
Regards, Ivan
I for one, realizing GB wasn't the staunch committed conservative I would have preferred, strongly supported his candidacy, as did many other conservatives.
I don't care where any of them are in the fiscal area.
If we don't win the War on Terror and close the border, all the money in the world won't help us.
I am living 20 miles north from another front on the WOT.
In this situation it is 1930s and we are Europe.
20 miles south of me are beheadings, kidnappings, murder, drug cartels that make the mafia look like scouts.
That's funny! (but probably true)
I agree with you. It's ridiculous.
Sorry Ivan, but your audience for Rudy accolades is getting less and less popular in conservative circles here. Don't believe the lying polls. They're meaningless this far out. A simple expression of name identification. Nothing more. Rudy Giuliani will not be the nominee of the GOP. But if he is, it's far worse than you think. The GOP will cease to exist as a viable national political party. How do you think that's going to affect you over there?
Reality is setting in that Rudy is popular, practically no other Republican is, and possibly the social conservatives are losing their total control over the Republican Party. That is not sitting well with those who are comfortable demanding 100% compliance with a laundry list of policies, but who have never learned to compromise to get some of what they want when they don't hold all of the cards.
Sure, we sold our souls out here to elect Arnold, but that D*MN Grey Davis is GONE!
Yes, I know I'm sexist - and proud of it - at least I'm willing to admit to it. Most won't -- until they get into the booth and think "What am I doing, How can I vote for her?"
Yes, I do understand but to me winning the war on terror is more important -- at this point in time.
On this point I think Rudy is right and has the potential to win a national race, Name someone else.. Is thre one?
I think I could vote for Condi Rice. I'm not that sexist -- I suppose. Maybe I just proved myself wrong. What do you think?
EternalVigilance wrote: "Doubtful. Very doubtful. But, he would have better dresses for the balls."
LOL! I know it's hard for some anti-Christian, social liberal FReepers to understand, but Rudy's cross-dressing episode is actually offensive to some people. Yes, some of us take the sin thing seriously...imagine that!
When I evaluate Rudy, I look at the whole person. His personal life is rife with immorality. Maybe he's considered normal (and conservative) in New York, but out here, he's virtually indistinguishable from the liberal democrats.
Is Tom McClintock still viable down there?
He isn't a fiscal conservative and he is a protectionist, which precludes major support from those who are able to give it.
Add to that mix, even Californians, on FR, outside of his district, had NO idea WHO the man was, until threads about him began to pop up lately and he's been in the House for 26 years.
Yes, watch him in the debates! I watched him TWICE a week ago, on T.V.! The man blinks almost as much as Nancy Pelosi, during the State Of The Union Address and was so wooden, it was scary. The only thing that moved, outside of his fluttering eyelids, were his lips.
Hunter had a chance to craft a Reaganite agenda. I looked at his website - his agenda is crafted to meet the needs of one particular audience, people like you. Here is a truth which will hurt: you are not in the majority. All the polling data indicates about a third of Americans see themselves as conservative. Unless you peel off some of the mushy moderates, you will not win. In fact, it could be the biggest Republican bloodbath since Goldwater in 1964.
Rudy is not perfect, but he has executive experience, burnished by his reputation in 9/11. He cut taxes in New York, and has become a byword for good governance - Londoners wish he would come and run London instead of Red Ken. I know that NONE of this will penetrate the density of your hatred for the man, but he is a contender and may be the best shot at preventing a disaster. That is what I want. I want America to walk through this particular minefield as unscathed as possible.
Ivan
People liked Clinton... ooops!
Since the Nixon administration, this nation has murdered 48 million babies! How is that for hatred! It doesn't make me want to "moderate"!
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