Some in party believe he (Giuliani) can win in California

San Diego Union Tribune ^ | Feb. 11, 2007 | John Marelius

[FairOpinion]

Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, still basking in his can-do post-Sept. 11 image, got a rousing welcome yesterday from Republican activists searching for a presidential candidate who can win in California.

No Republican presidential candidate has carried California since the elder George Bush did in 1988, and no one has even run a competitive race in the increasingly Democratic-leaning state since then.

Republicans are hopeful they have prospects in the large 2008 field who can reverse the trend by combining liberal and conservative stands that has proven so successful for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

“The popularity of the governor shows that you can take the positions that he holds and win in California,” said Duf Sundheim, outgoing Republican state chairman. “I think Giuliani has the same opportunity.”

As for Giuliani, backers say his record on reducing crime and taxes in New York should give conservatives plenty to like. He was introduced to the convention yesterday by businessman Bill Simon, the 2002 Republican nominee for California governor who once worked under Giuliani in the U.S. Attorney's Office in New York.

Simon said that as mayor, Giuliani cut taxes 23 times and reduced the city's murder rate by 67 percent. “That is a record that as a conservative Republican, I can heartily endorse,” he said.

[nopardons]

Name me one, just one announced, even sort of announced GOP primary candidate who is going to beat Rudy.

And Newt is NOT going to run. If he did, he would NOT beat Hillary, BTW.

Name me one, just one, now silent GREAT WHITE HOPE CONSERVATIVE, who can enter the race in December, let's say, and pull it out for you.

[BunnySlippers]

Fiscal conservatism is real conservatism.

And the world does not revolve around you.

[Zeroisanumber]

I doubt that Giuliani can win in California, but he might force his Democratic challenger to spend resources there. That would be nice.

[mysterio]

The Constitution is my top issue, and Paul's 100% on it. I know the documant is safe under his watch.

[BunnySlippers]

I just had someone tell me Rudy should drop out of the race and endorse Hunter!!

These people are dreamers.

[NapkinUser]

Have you noticed that the hardcore Giuliani fans seem to be the same group who thought Harriet Miers was a good pick and supported her for the 24 days she was the pick? The same group that can loosely be defined as being the more pro-illegal alien group? Mostly the same people who are labeled Bushbots all the time? It's the same crowd I'm observing. It kind of tells you something, doesn't it?

[FairOpinion]

What do you think the Constitution will be worth, if the terrorists will either nuke us, destroy our economy or take us over and turn us into a Caliphate -- none of which Ron Paul wants to stop.

[elli1]

This election will be decided before California finishes voting.

[gov_bean_ counter]

More than resources, If California becomes the battle ground, Hillary is going to have to say some really bizarre lefty stuff to get the vote. Can you say making campaign commercials for the Republicans?

[nopardons]

You just don't get it, no matter how many times it's explained to you.

Rudy didn't and should NOT have run against Hillary for that Senate seat, in '06, because EVERYONE knew that he was going to make a run for the presidency. He can now tell New Yorkers that they don't have a Senator working for them, because she's trying to be president. He can also wave the promises she made to every single person in that state, under their noses.

An understanding of politics appears to be not your forte.

[mysterio]

The Constitution is the most important issue regardless of the circumstances. It's sad that I have to remind you of that.

[RepublicanPOTUSin08]

LOL. I feel like a broken record on this thread. Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Illinois, New Jersey. Those are blue states Rudy will almost certainly win. They have lots of electoral votes. California is just icing. But the Dems can't win without the big industrial states, and Rudy will take those.

[goldstategop]

He can't. A liberal Republican might carry California but Hillary would have to be that terrible a candidate for him to have an outside chance of success. The question is whether the GOP will nominate a liberal to pull it off. My guess is only if nothing else can stop She Who Will Not Be Named from getting into the White House.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[FairOpinion]

Yes, I am sure the Radical Islamists will bow to the US Constitution. (/sarc)

[NYRepublican72]

You honestly think hollywood and the media are going to jump ship on Hillary should she be the nominee? And we're supposed to jump on board with a gun grabber just on the off chance that he'll carry California?

If Guiliani wins California, it's a landslide. Give me 54 Electorial votes that Shillary could take in California's place.

Ohio and Florida combined wouldn't be enough. They sure as heck aren't voting for that beast in Arkansas despite her philandering husband who promptly moved to New York after leaving the White House.

At that point it's checkmate. And you know what happens as a result? We'll probably get some NON-RINO Republicans elected to the House to tip the balance back in some marginal RAT districts. And possibly get the Senate back.

And then what happens? Even assuming Guliani is the anti-Christ and wants to grab your guns (which he doesn't), no guns get grabbed. You know why? There are more than enough pro-gun Republicans in the House to block any affront on the Second Amendment and a handful of non-tretcherous RATS who protect the Second Amendment. Same goes for gay marriage. Partial birth abortions, and pretty much ever other "evil" liberal agenda y'all love railing against Guiliani for.

Everyone keeps forgetting that there's that whole Legislative branch out there that can foil an alleged Guiliani "socially liberal" agenda.

I can't see Guiliani winning California without us getting the House back as a result.

[NapkinUser]

"And Newt is NOT going to run. If he did, he would NOT beat Hillary, BTW."

Hey, you admit he can beat Giuliani. It's a start. Gingrich, in my opinion, is probably the only conservative who can stop the Giuliani/McCain dimwits from screwing this party over. Gingrich is second or third in the admittedly-meaningless polls now, that without having formed any committees or raised even so much as a single dollar. Gingrich needs to get in and save conservatives from Giuliani and McCain, it should be his patriotic duty.

[mysterio]

So how much are you willing to sell for safety? Another piece of the Second Amendment?

[FairOpinion]

"And you know what happens as a result? We'll probably get some NON-RINO Republicans elected to the House to tip the balance back in some marginal RAT districts. And possibly get the Senate back."


An excellent, logical post!

[nopardons]

Not only do I have a very comprehensive working knowledge of history, I also know N.Y.C. history; political and otherwise. And unlike you, I also know and understand the difference between FACTS and cherry-picked, FREEPER made meaningless charts.

[johnmark7]

Agreed. Rudy would crush Hillary in CA. Just like Arnold crushed Angelides (but not as big maybe).

That just proves that Rudy isn't really a Republican, though. Just like Arnold isn't. Rudy can do well here and in every blue state against Hillary because they'll be getting the Democrat they prefer, someone with cajones and backbone and who isn't a socialist for the most part.

But will Republicans let him pass through the primaries to get the nomination? McCain doesn't stand a prayer of getting the nom.. Rudy has a chance. He's more likeable, and doesn't seem like an old and total egotist. People know he can lead. No one thinks of McCain as a real leader.