Posted on 05/02/2007 6:04:11 AM PDT by areafiftyone
WASHINGTON -- Everybody said Rudy Giuliani would be about as appealing in the South as a three-day-old bagel.
The former mayor of New York is a Yankee who has been married three times and supports gay rights and abortion rights.
But he drew an "overflow" crowd when he spoke to the Alabama Legislature last month, according to The Associated Press. He's campaigning in Georgia and South Carolina and dropped by a conference in North Carolina last week. He's going back to Alabama May 9.
On Giuliani's Web site, joinrudy2008.com, there's a link to a blog by David Brody, a political reporter for CBN, the Christian news network. He warns it would be a mistake to rule Giuliani out.
Apparently on a first-name basis with Giuliani, Brody writes, "Rudy's message on social issues may hurt him in the Bible Belt, but he has other factors that play well." And he linked to a video clip of a couple of guys singing Lynryd Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama" on a TV talent show.
Whoa.
Many political observers who once assumed Giuliani didn't have a prayer in the conservative South are reconsidering.
It's an uphill battle to be sure, but Giuliani's message of fiscal conservatism and being tough on terrorism sells in the region -- even if his support for state gun control regulations doesn't.
During last year's campaign, he was the star attraction at a fundraiser for Ralph Reed, the former Christian Coalition head who was running for lieutenant governor of Georgia. Reed lost, but Giuliani is back in the South, campaigning for himself this time.
In his speech April 10 to the Alabama Legislature, Giuliani wrapped himself in the Reagan legacy -- he was No. 3 in the Reagan Justice Department. He insisted he will not shift positions with the wind but, like Reagan, will set a course and stick with it. And, he promised to cut taxes.
Giuliani, who leads the pack of GOP presidential hopefuls in polls and fundraising, would be the strongest Republican in a general election, political scientists say. The question is whether he can persuade the party's conservative base to give him the chance.
Touting his post-9/11 leadership in New York, Giuliani ripped a page from President Bush's 2004 playbook last week and charged that his Democratic competitors would be weak in the fight against terrorism.
A Democratic president will let up on that fight, prolonging it at a cost of more American lives, he said in New Hampshire. The country would be better off electing a Republican -- namely himself.
Democratic contenders Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards all responded vigorously, a sign that they take Giuliani seriously.
So do some Southern politicians. Among them is Sen. David Vitter, R-La., who wrote in a letter to the editor of the Shreveport Times that, after prayer and consideration, he is backing Giuliani.
"Even with all the international threats we face," Vitter wrote, "we'll sleep soundly at night with Rudy in the White House."
"And," he said, "while I may disagree with Rudy on some issues that are very important to me, I am confident he's the right man for the job."
What makes Giuliani palatable is his assurance to Vitter and others that he'll appoint judges who are strict constitutionalists and won't "legislate from the bench."
One major factor in Giuliani's favor is the new, front-loaded primary election calendar. New York, New Jersey and California now are among the many states holding primaries Feb. 5.
Political scientist Merle Black of Emory University says that Giuliani likely will win New York and New Jersey, and if he wins California, too, that day, he could be unstoppable. If Giuliani wins the top slot, he'll pick someone like the actor and former Sen. Fred Thompson of Tennessee as his running mate to balance the ticket, Black said.
Giuliani knows many Republicans won't agree with him on everything.
"I will tell you what I believe. If you agree with it, fine. If you don't agree with it, you have a right not to agree with it," he told the Alabama Legislature. "If you don't agree, you have a right not to vote for me."
He has no chance in the South.
We will see. From the look of things it looks like Edwards will sweep the south not a Republican.
Unless Fred enters.
So wrong it silly.
Consider this. Nationally the democrats lead the GOP by 12 points - as a party.
Rudy leads the democrats by 4 points in all national polls.
That's a 16 point spread.
That is a number none of us can deny or avoid.
Rudy beats the democrats in Ohio, New Jersey, Florida, and California.
The wide audience that is the GOP needs to consider these facts and stop eating our own.
Push hard for your candidate of choice - but stop the personal attacks on the opposition.
I simply don't understand why this is so hard to appreciate.
Except for McCain - that man is freaking nuts. (yuk yuk)
Did you see Fred last night of Hannity & Colmes (sp?)
Pretty damn impressive man.
I hope he gets in the battle damn soon - we need his presence.
I didn’t see it. But I read the posts on the FR thread. That way, I don’t have to hear Sean or Alan.
Well I can’t argue with you on that. Fred will give Edwards a run for his money.
Check out the Foxnews website..
Upper right had corner - the video from the show.
He is an arrogant cross-dressing Yankee who supports abortion and special rights for homosexuals.
He is not our guy plain and simple.
Fred Thompson on the other hand.
Funny...... Seattle news media piece reporting how an NY liberal will do in the South.
“....that he’ll appoint judges who are strict constitutionalists....”
sure, ruudeee
geez.....why would one suppose that someone who is NOT a strict constitutionalist pretend he would invoke a personal litmus test of strict constitutionalism upon appointees?
Oh, I forgot....it depends on who he is talking to at the time.....hilliary performs similarly when onstage, too.
Imagine this stage.
Fred - Rudy - Mitt - .... oh lord, and McCain
Consider the power of those 4 mens personalities in a debate.
The GOP is posting one hell of field.
Why are you putting so much credence in poll numbers of dems and GOPers in spring 2007?
Because your best argument to get Rudy nominated is that those numbers mean something, when they mean less than nothing at this time.
LOL! What a combination.
He's not a sure thing; he has enough baggage to fill the cargo hold of a cruise ship. His sundry personal-life issues bother social conservatives; the gun control stance dismays the Second Amendment wing of the party; the pro-choice opinions alarm the evangelicals. That leaves about 47 Republicans, right?
Right?
No. Voters are more flexible and forgiving than you might expect. And none of the objections obscure the central appeal of the Rudy candidacy: He'll nuke 'em if he has to. That won't be the central theme of his campaign, of course, but it's the unstated strength of his candidacy.
He's not a wuss.
Thank you for parroting Dick Morris’ talking points, almost verbatim from Hannity last night. These poll numbers will be water in the desert in November 2008. Rudy will face a depressed Republican turnout and a strong third party conservative challenge that will bleed votes from him like a hemophiliac. Rudy will not be a lock to carry any state, because of the split his nomination will engender in the GOP. For these reasons, he is the one Republican Hillary is sure to defeat. The MSM wants to achieve this result. Why is this not self evident to you?
Dick Morris is a political chameleon, who got this start working for the Clinton’s. Yet people are all too willing to accept his now self professed hatred for Hillary. I think it is just as reasonable to assume that his promotion of Rudy is designed to set the Republicans up for a certain defeat and thus reinstall his old boss (Bill) in the White House.
First, I deny that such numbers mean anything a year and a half out from an election. Second, I would be just as unhappy with a Giuliani presidency as that of any credible Democrat, so if those are the only choices I'm saying 'goodbye.'
Well - we have to gauge the nomination process somehow - so yes I use the polls numbers.
I never use a single poll - I use the combined weighted figures.
Surely you cannot deny that Rudy has a solid lead right now?
Can you?
They mean nothing? Oh come on now !!!!
I will agree if you say they can change tomorrow - I will go along with that.
But you will be the first to point to the polls if Rudy drops - won’t you?
Ok - that said - who’s your man right now?
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