" O-o-o-o-h, de Camptown Racers sing dis song---doo dah---doo dah."
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."
There are not enough of them.
My comment about personal attacks was more a general one - not aimed at you - sorry you took it that way - my bad.
I also live “here” - Greenville SC
Rudy’s organization in the state of SC, FL, and GA - is massive.
Now - the only threat I see to Rudy in the South is Fred Thompson.
My point is this - I won’t and neither should you - pretend to know the South or to generalize our world as The South.
Right now - Rudy leads in the south - tomorrow - could be another story.
Why Rootie won't win.
Take the Republican party.
Subtract almost all the pro-life crowd.
Subtract those who believe in the right to keep and bear arms.
You now have a much smaller party than the Democrat party.
Some say that Rootie will pick up democrat "security moms". Not so. When Hillary is on the dem ticket the "security moms" will become "gender voters" in a heartbeat.
Hillary can and will crush Rootie very flat and thin.
That is what will happen if Rootie gets the nomination.
LOL indeed.
Giuliani Does Have A Prayer In The South:
“Dear Lord, please bless and keep this man...
... far away from us!”
" O-o-o-o-h, de Camptown Racers sing dis song---doo dah---doo dah."
The words are right, but it needth to be with a lithp.
Oopth-—thath right.
I hear that Rootie and Jootie share the same thongs. They fit him perfectly! And he must be a fiscal conservative, because he now saves on his underwear costs!
Thanks for providing me with the only real evidence of Rooty's fiscal conservatism.
Ok, let me be specific. RUDY WILL NEVER TAKE THE SOUTH.
areafiftyone
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