Breaking News: Rudy Giuliani hints at dropping out

LA Times ^ | 28 January 2008 | Andrew Malcolm

[.cnI redruM]

Rudy Giuliani appears to be pondering an end to his long pursuit of the Republican presidential nomination.

In a meeting in the back of his chartered plane en route to St. Petersburg, Fla., a short while ago, the onetime, longtime GOP front-runner told a small group of reporters, including The Times' Louise Roug: "The winner of Florida will win the nomination."

[littlehouse36]

“He was never cut out to win the GOP Presidential race because he really isn’t a Republican.”

Rudy is the most fiscally conservative in the race, and he is ultra strong on defense. He is stronger on two legs of the party than most candidates are on three.

[littlehouse36]

Thanks. I heard tonight that Rudy’s tax plan is already being proposed in Congress?

[PAR35]

Giuliani is the last of the conservatives in the running.

Perhaps by African standards (I noted the Kenyan flag), but by American standards, he'd make a good running mate for Obama.

[Mr. Silverback]

An LA Times hit job, or the end of the road for Rudy?

The latter. Never thought I'd be sorry to see him go, but he looks pretty acceptable standing next to McCain and Huckabee.

[littlehouse36]

“You know inside that your heart’s not really in it...”

I have sensed this, as well. Same with Fred. Godspeed to both of them.

[Mr. Silverback]

I don’t think it’s a hit job, but I will admit that this reminds me of all the stories about Fred supposedly dropping out that always seemed to come out on the eve of a primary.

[freedom4me]

“It will be a grand day when Rooty drops out.The choices left to GOP voters aren’t any better.”

The GOP field is most depressing.I cannot abide Huckabee’s phoniness, McCain’s backstabbing of the GOP, nor Guiliani’s adultery (even Bubba was more discreet than Rudy). That leaves Mitt.

My first choice was Fred, but now it looks like I’ll vote for the Mitt.

[Alberta's Child]

Actually, it makes a lot of sense for him to drop out now. He spent a lot of money already in this campaign — and then his campaign tried to pretend he “didn’t try very hard” in places like Iowa and New Hampshire after he had dismal showings there.

[Mr. Silverback]

The cat was let out of the bag on that one. It was the McCain campaign. Both times. Maybe the reason McCain didn't get Fred's endorsement.

Got a cite? I'd lvoe to have that in my arsenal if it's verifiable.

[Hetty_Fauxvert]

I certainly can’t presume to speak for Admiral Natter — but my guess is that he’s reserving judgment until tomorrow evening, just like I am. (Thanks for the ping, though. :)

[Mr. Silverback]

Also, Rudy was considered a potential candidate for so long that the Republicans had a chance to examine his liberal tendancies and didn’t like everything they saw. I don’t think they’ve examined Romney as well.

Since Danny stated in this thread that he would vote for Hillary or Obama before he voted for a Mormon, his comment here is disingenuous. It doesn't matter what Romney's record is, Danny will be a detractor.

[tear gas]

Rudy is the most fiscally conservative in the race, and he is ultra strong on defense. He is stronger on two legs of the party than most candidates are on three.

Wow, I see him very differently. I see him as a coward (so far, he's cut and run from competition in all of the primary contests) and as a loser.

It didn't take too long for the American people to catch on to Rudy's "tough talk" routine.

[Mr. Silverback]

Yeah? Which Repub is gonna beat Hillbama?

It wasn't going to be Rudy.

[Mr. Silverback]

There’s no true conservative left in the race, so, does it really matter who wins Florida?

If I were sailing on a destroyer, and I had a choice between a really slovenly captain and John Walker, I'd figure it mattered. Beating Hillary matters.

[Mr. Silverback]

See post 351.

[Mr. Silverback]

Some of the Florida polls include people who’ve already voted.

[Mr. Silverback]

So what are you thinking here? President Hillary? There’s a war on, you know.

[Petronski]

What am I thinking? I think I made it quite clear.

[Mr. Silverback]

The best anyone rational caan say about MCCain is that he’s only as bad as Romney. That wouldn’t be true, but at least it would be rational. What isn’t rational is backing a guy who could have been John Kerry’s running mate, a guy who was expected to switch parties a couple of times in the past few years.

[Mr. Silverback]

I respect Alan Keyes a lot, but voting for Alan Keyes willl not keep this man...

...out of the White House.