Posted on 05/17/2007 1:13:46 PM PDT by Jim Robinson
Washington - Just a month ago, Rudy Giuliani was riding high in polls of Republican voters for their party's 2008 presidential nomination. The former mayor of New York enjoyed near universal name recognition and a sterling reputation for leadership and decisiveness in the aftermath of 9/11.
And his liberal stands on divisive issues such as abortion? Maybe a new day had dawned, in which enough social conservative voters would put security concerns ahead of the culture wars to nominate a liberal Republican, some party activists had suggested. Others touted Mr. Giuliani's strength in the GOP field as a sign that theirs was a "big tent" party.
Now, the tide seems to be shifting. Giuliani's poll numbers have flattened noticeably in the past few weeks, following the first GOP debate early this month and the ensuing news coverage over his conflicted answer on abortion rights.
In the latest Cook Political Report/RT Strategies poll, Giuliani leads Sen. John McCain (R) of Arizona by just one point, 25 percent to 24 percent, down from a seven-point lead at the end of April. In the Gallup poll, Giuliani's lead over Senator McCain has shrunk from 14 points in early May to six points in mid-May.
"He's been on the ropes the last couple of weeks," says Amy Walter, an analyst at the nonpartisan Cook Political Report, who cites not just his liberal stand on abortion, but also his inability to explain himself clearly. "Giuliani's strongest asset is supposed to be this sense that … he projects strength and courage of conviction. Yet on the first question about a contentious issue, he seemed to be all over the place."
(Excerpt) Read more at csmonitor.com ...
Sweet
First NPR, now the Christian Science Monitor?
I do not support Rudy, so please spare the onslaught. However, He looked strong in the debate the other night. Did his numbers improve after that?
I still don't think so. Whoever is chosen for the Republican nomination will need to be both tough on national security and a defender of the right to life.
Rudy's fundamental flaws: Conservatives see abortion as an underlying part of a cultural struggle. Rudy sees it as an issue to overcome. Conservatives see the traditional family as the building block of a culture. Rudy sees it as, well, optional.
Rudy did do well in the debate, but usually only political junkies watch those things, so it’s impact isn’t going to be as much as that of a major issue.
Uncle Hal - I promise you - the GOP ship will right itself and we will field a great candidate for POTUS.
Take faith - we will rise and meet the challenges ahead.
I have zero doubt about that.
ZERO
Maybe it’s time to retire my tagline then...
...Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.(John 14:27)
Forget JulieAnnie...Lets hope Duncan Hunter moves ahead by word of mouth being that the lib press refuses to aknowledge him because he has no sensationalistic gimmick. He`s not a Marxist former co-President, a hair obsessed ambulance chaser, a guy with a terrorist sounding name nor a former comb over 911 whore...Let`s move him ahead solely by word of mouth. I think when people are made aware, he will get the recognition and ultimatey the votes he deserves.
New tagline...
Naw...keep it until the fork confirms he is done :>)
Hang on another month. Fred is on the way.
I like it better.
Always better to be positive than negative.
I thought I’d go from negative on Rudy to promoting the guy I want... like the new tagline?
We've got good candidates, they just won't win because they haven't been annointed by the party.
He may have been the right mayor for the time, much as I feel Bush was the right president for the time.
Going forward, we need someone more conservative, one who can enunciate Conservatism clearly and comprehensively as a rock solid alternative to the debasement the liberals have brought to the table.
Thank you.
That said, the best thing we may have going is the Dem candidates. Hillary is extremely polarizing and puts off big chunks of her own base. Edwards is feckless. Obama - well, can you imagine an Illinois state senator is really qualified to be President? Most all the Republicans will look solid and experienced by comparison. It'll be tough, but it just could happen.
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