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Posted on 05/07/2007 11:30:40 PM PDT by Jim Robinson
Four days after the first Republican presidential debate and amid media buzz of Rudy Giuliani’s falling poll numbers, Giuliani’s campaign manager and communications director held a conference call for political bloggers on the state of the GOP presidential race. They took the opportunity to respond to concerns raised in traditional and new media about Giuliani’s shrinking lead in the polls, his pro-choice stance, his debate performance and his view of social conservatives. They also tried to drive home a simple message: voters should look at Giuliani’s overall record and his electability in the general election.
Throughout the call the Giuliani team stressed their candidate’s record as Mayor and his conservative record on taxes, spending, crime and even reducing abortions. They argue that voters are fully aware of his liberal social views but may not be aware of his successes in cleaning up New York.
In response to my question as to whether the stampede by states to early primary dates poses any concern, DuHaime noted that it did place a premium on fundraising and “resource allocation.” However, in response to a later question he also indicated that the campaign is pleased with the appearance of Florida, New Jersey, New York and California -- states where the Mayor is running strongly ahead -- to the list of early primary states.
As for the polls, campaign manager Michael DuHaime professed no concern about the narrowing of certain national polls and said that the race has “settled into a place we expected.” He indicated the campaign was pleased with Giuliani’s average 10 percentage point lead in national polls and his “close” standing in early primary states.
After the blogger call a CNN/Opinion Research poll was announced showing Giuliani leading 25-23% over Sen. McCain. The campaign responded to my inquiry as to whether this changed their view of the polls. They answered that this particular poll showed virtually no change from last month which had Giuliani ahead 27-24%. (Fred Thompson was down a statistically insignificant 3% and Gov. Romney showed no change from the last poll.) They also point to polling showing Giuliani is viewed as the best leader of any candidate, Democrat or Republican.
Giuliani’s team was asked on the blogger call about Giuliani’s pro-choice views and his response in the debate last week that it would be “okay” if Roe v. Wade was reversed. DuHaime and Communications Director Katie Levinson laid out their approach: 1) Giuliani is a “straight shooter” and “his positions are his positions” -- perhaps a veiled shot at Romney, who has been dealing with the “flip flop” label; 2) Giuliani offers some common ground with pro-life voters on parental notification and partial birth abortion but remains pro-choice; and 3) Giuliani is banking that the primary will be decided by people evaluating a candidate as “a whole” and recognizes that there are some “single issue voters who won’t vote for him” on this issue.
DuHaime answered a question on Giuliani’s debate performance with a mild endorsement that a “did very well” and seemed to acknowledge the difficulty in getting adequate time for his candidate to shine when 10 candidates clutter the stage.
Questioned about Giuliani’s view of social conservatives and whether the GOP was a “pro-life” party, DuHaime invoked both Ronald Reagan (“someone who agrees with me 80% of the time is not my enemy”) and Sen. Sam Brownback who recently remarked that Giuliani’s pro-choice views were not a disqualifying factor.
Rather than sing the praises of social conservatives, DuHaime turned the question into a platform to argue the “Big Tent” view of the GOP. He cautioned that Republicans should not exclude any group from the party since they are outnumbered nationally by Democrats. DuHaime also used the opportunity to make a pitch, not heard as clearly or strenuously before, that Giuliani is the most electable of the Republican candidates. He listed numerous states including Connecticut, New Jersey, Oregon, Washington, and Wisconsin which he claimed Giuliani would win in November 2008 and others such as New York where his candidacy would force Democrats to spend money, depleting their resources elsewhere.
Finally when asked about the prospect of Fred Thompson’s campaign, DuHaime gamely welcomed him to the race, suggesting he would make it into the “first tier” of candidates and “take [votes] from all candidates.”
So team Giuliani gives every indication they are settling in for the long fight and gearing up for more debates, more fundraising and one more contender. Indeed, we still have eight months before the first caucus and primary votes are cast, a lifetime in politics.
No Thanks, I have no use for him.
I like Guiliani. If Thompson does not get into the race I will vote for Guilani or Romney. If Thompson gets in, he will get my vote. If the choices in the 2008 election are Hillary and Guilani, I will not stay home or vote third party. I will vote for Guilani to keep Hillary out of the whitehouse. Hell I would vote for a rock to keep Hillary out.
“Indeed, we still have eight months before the first caucus and primary votes are cast, a lifetime in politics.”
They can say that again, and that’s at the high-end expected survival rate (LOL). He’s yet to figure out his biggest contender is going to be himself. Slow roasting is ok with me. Fred’s not spending a dime and isn’t jumping headfirst into a meat-grinder. Life is good.
I would vote for a cockroach to keep Hillary out.
So I guess that makes you a RudyBooster of the last resort.
That crap is more suited for Wideawakes. Not FR.
Fact: A vote for Rooty is a vote for liberalism.
What does Hillary offer that is different from Rudy, gender aside?
Two down, one to go.
So if it comes down to that choice, should we flip a coin?
In a desperation move, he hires Roger Clemens to be his
running mate.
She will surrender the WOT, Rudy will not. He is not my first choice but if need be, I will vote for him to keep my family safe. That trumps all to me at this point in time.
Well, I’m sorry you feel that way. I believe regarding the WOT, neither would act different than the other. Thanks for answering.
Hillary has just talked about defunding the Iraq war, and has publicly called for GW to end the Iraq war and bring the troops home before 2008. Rudy agres with GW that the Iraq war needs to be won with Al Qaeda defeated, have Iraq stabilized, then come home. Two completely different visions between Hillary and Rudy. Hillary has already surrendered. That would put you and yours and me and mine in grave danger. You are welcome. :)
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I thought it must be a typo but Googled it and indeed the actual title has “trys”. Weird.
“Two completely different visions between Hillary and Rudy.”
It might look that way. I suppose I should also note that I don’t believe what either one says they’ll do. Which in my mind brings them back together doing exactly what the polls tell them they should do.
I thing Rudy is a good person; more than competent; and I am grateful he was in charge in NYC. He would make a good 'something' for the next Repub president.
He just is not 'presidential' material. And his wife; has already failed, by every stroke; the 'First Lady' rounds. . .
(is she even a Repub; or like Arnold; is Rudy married to a Demrat? If Judy is a Repub. . .want to know when she changed her registration ;^)
Why is gun control being totally ignored? Nothing about it in the debate the other night. No new position statement from Giuliani. The media totally ignores the issue. And people wonder why I categorically refuse to vote for the man. I'll never vote for a gun grabber and Giuliani is a gun grabber. Hence, he will not get my vote, even if he is the nominee.
How will you keep your family safe after Giuliani signs every gun control bill that comes across his desk? Are you ready to surrender your Second Amendment rights and rely on 911? Giuliani isn't just the lessor of two evils...he is just as evil as Hitlery and Hussein.
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