You realize that the majority of voters don't follow the news on TV or in the press, much less on the Internet or talk radio. To most of them, right now, Rudy is just a name they've heard somewhere--perhaps in connection with 9/11 heroism. That's it.
I know this for sure because I teach adult education classes to people who have degrees and hold responsible jobs. But very few of them are able to discuss current events without being "briefed" on whatever has been in the press for weeks and even months.
I work and live in the real world. Peple read the papers and listen to some news source everyday.