Free Republic

Even with their candidate out of the race, Fred Thompson’s supporters can make a big impact in Florida. They should do so by supporting Rudy Giuliani. More than any other candidate, Rudy matches Thompson’s conservative credentials in the three most important areas: he offers a conservative economic policy, an explicit promise to nominate only “strict constructionist” judges, and a strong dedication to national security. On the economy, social issues, and defense, a Giuliani presidency will take the nation in a clearly conservative direction—and he can actually beat Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama in November. With a win—or a strong showing—in...

Secret study cited "weirdness factor" among candidate weaknesses FEBRUARY 12--As he campaigns for the Republican presidential nomination, Rudolph Giuliani will have to contend with political and personal baggage unknown to prospective supporters whose knowledge of the former New York mayor is limited to his post-September 11 exploits. So, in a bid to educate the electorate, we're offering excerpts from a remarkable "vulnerability study" that was commissioned by Giuliani's campaign prior to his successful 1993 City Hall run. The confidential 450-page report, authored by Giuliani's research director and another aide, was the campaign's attempt to identify possible lines of attack against...

1. Giuliani Leads McCain in Iowa Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani has pulled well ahead of Sen. John McCain among Iowa Republicans likely to take part in the state’s early caucuses, a new poll reveals. In the survey by Victory Enterprises, Giuliani received support from 30 percent of Republicans expecting to attend the 2008 caucuses, which are scheduled to launch the 2008 Republican presidential nominating cycle. McCain was second at 17.3 percent. A similar Victory Enterprises survey a year ago had Giuliani and the senator from Arizona tied at 21.7 percent. Giuliani is viewed as favorable by two-thirds...

By now, most people around politics know that former New York Republican Mayor Rudy Giuliani would be seeking the nomination for president of the United States. A recent column by Washington's premiere political pundit, Robert Novak, only underlines the obvious: The question is not If Giuliani runs, but When he openly declares that he is running. Though Novak does not say when, I would speculate that Giuliani will announce by the end of this year. A recent Gallup Poll asked the question of its participants: Who they would opt for as the Republican front runner in the 2008 presidential election?...