Posted on 02/03/2007 1:17:10 PM PST by BunnySlippers
By JIM DAVENPORT, Associated Press Writer
He keeps an itinerary that has all the makings of a full-fledged presidential candidate: South Carolina this weekend, New Hampshire the one before.
Which is what Rudy Giuliani, the former New York City mayor, says he's leaning toward becoming.
"There's a real good chance," Giuliani told The Associated Press on Saturday, after a 30-minute speech and question-and-answer session with party leaders in South Carolina. In year, they will put on the first-in-the-South GOP presidential primary.
On Giuliani's first visit to New Hampshire last weekend since setting up the committee, he told reporters he'd received a tremendous amount of enthusiasm and support from people.
But he said he had not yet decided whether he could make a "unique contribution" toward strengthening the nation that would justify a run for president.
He has emphasized his steady hand dealing with the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. However, his moderate stances on gun control, abortion, gay rights and other social issues could be liabilities for him in a GOP presidential primary that includes hard-core conservatives as a central voting group.
For instance, in November, South Carolina voters overwhelmingly approved a constitutional ban on same-sex unions.
"The fact is I appeal to conservative Christians the way I appeal to everyone else," Giuliani said at a news conference. "I don't think you have separate appeals to people."
Giuliani formed a presidential exploratory committee in November to prepare for a possible bid for the GOP nomination in 2008. It lets him raise money and travel the country, gauging how much support there could be for him.
In his few first weeks, Giuliani took in $1.4 million. He collected donations online, and held a major fundraising event in New York in December.
Financial documents show that by the start of this year Giuliani had about $1 million available, having spent money to set up campaign headquarters, buy equipment and hire workers.
The Republicans' top tier of candidates for 2008 includes Arizona Sen. John McCain (news, bio, voting record), former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback (news, bio, voting record).
Giuliani's visit to Columbia wrapped up a busy week in the state for White House hopefuls. Romney was in the capital on Tuesday and Brownback on Friday.
Those who get to win get to make the rules.
Sorry, but them's the breaks.
Naw, the only people on these threads who have threatened to vote for Hillary are anti-Rudy people.
We'll just have to muddle along without you. :)
Really? Let's see the link to that, okay?
You already are.
Guiliani is the Ross Perot of 2008!
Hillary knows she can't muster more than 44% going one on one.
So Guiliani will syphon off a few dem votes and a lot of moderate GOP votes and we end up with...
President Hillary.
"ack ack ack ack"
"ack ack ack ack"
I'm too busy to search right now. I'm almost sure I remember who said it ... it'll just take some time.
That's one of the ugliest campaign logos I've ever seen.
Impressive. I have no idea what this is supposed to mean, but I take it this is supposed to be groovy.
I think it means that of the states in the South, South Carolina has the earliest primary.
Sorry, I looked at the alternatives already.
Brownback, Hunter, and Tancredo are Congressional bench warmers who should stick to their day jobs.
Rudy & Romney have executive and administrative experience. They are strong center-right candidates who'll win over the large swath of voters without alienating conservatives.
They'll choose a conservative VP and then can commence measuring the WH drapes.
No we're not. You're still on this thread!
They filed a new form -- it was a mistake but then you knew that already didn't you? You and your cohorts hit every thread with the same question knowing the truth which makes some of us wonder about your political agenda when you have to spin.
You can keep up your little games all you want but it isn't going to change the outcome. Rudy is a Republican, has always been a Republican, and will run as a Republican.
Keeping up your childish games is actually winning more support for Rudy on here so please keep them up. :)
Some have latched on to THE MOST Liberal of all the potential Republican candidates FIRST. Somehow it's impossible to see how that's a successful strategy for either conservatives OR the Republican Party.
Yeah, right. Pardon me if I don't hold my breath waiting, okay?
They would agree on every singe issue and the main topic of the post debate commentary would be who was wearing the prettiest dress.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.