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.
Wow! Maybe Hillary still does stand a chance!
But politically, you're "muddling on" without conservatives. Good luck with that. /s
And we are adding people to the ping list everyday. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to remind folks that if they want on the Rudy for President '08 ping list they can freep mail areafiftyone.
Wrong. He ran on the Liberal Party ticket in NY, and has supported Democrats repeatedly. Ever hear of Mario Cuomo?
Hi!
I was accused of being Sunsong, however, I'm sure you want the real one! LOL
Your .0001% in the polls candidate will neither have the money nor name recognition to make an impact anyway.
But if it makes you feel good, do it!
I do know that I would rather cast my '08 Republican presidential primary vote for Rudy Giuliani rather than John McCain and in the general election, I would definitely vote for 'culturally liberal' Rudy Giuliani over Marxist/socialist Hillary Clinton or Barack Hussein Obama. There is no 'perfect' candidate.
change your freeper home page yet?
"Hate RINOs, moderates, centrists, etc. Support only conservative Republicans and have no problem voting for the LP or CP candidate if the GOP is a RINO."
Good tagline:)
A year away from the election. Right.
Brownback, Hunter, and Tancredo are Congressional bench warmers who should stick to their day jobs.
Perhaps. But, they do have this in their favor: At least, unlike Rudy, they actually have conservative credentials to run on.
Rudy & Romney have executive and administrative experience.
So did Clinton and Mussolini. Doesn't mean we want them in public office, or running our party.
They are strong center-right candidates who'll win over the large swath of voters without alienating conservatives.
You couldn't have typed that with a straight face. Isn't possible...
They'll choose a conservative VP...
Right. Along about the same time we all get to go ice-skating in hell.
...and then can commence measuring the WH drapes.
What, is Rudy going to make a ball gown out of 'em?
I won't make that statement YET.
Thanks.
Rudy is not going to take your guns. Stop being delusional.
How do you know?
So now according to the AP being an advocate of Abortion, Gun Control and The Gay Agenda makes you a "moderate"? The AP is really shilling for Giulliani. I think they understand if he wins the GOP nomination then Conservatism has been crushed by liberalism no matter who wins the presidency.
What is his stance on gun control? Pretty much the same as most of law enforcement, from what I understand.
By the way, I agree with his premises, even if I don't agree that voting for Hillary is the proper course of action if you and your liberal friends manage somehow to turn the GOP into Dem Party Lite.
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