In recent weeks, Rudy Giuliani has gone from a forgotten man to the GOP candidate who is front and center. Giuliani's campaign has become revitalized by the continued dickering of Fred Thompson, and a concerted internal effort to show that Giuliani is tough and has some vision.
The Democrats have definitely taken notice. Yesterday, John Edwards called Rudy "George Bush on steroids" (and Edwards on steroids would be John Kerry, but I digress), and the house organ for the Democrats, the New York Times, is running a hit piece in which they explore his relationship with Fox News leader Roger Ailes. Vanity Fair is also attacking Rudy, but from the angle of portraying his wife as an out-of-touch snob.
Recent polling numbers show that Giuliani has increased his lead to 9-percentage points on average against Fred Thompson and appears to be gaining momentum. Although the latest Rasmussen has him down one to Thompson, the latest NBC/WSJ has him up 13%.
All of this is good for Rudy's campaign, even hit pieces mean exposure and the majority of Americans have a good feeling about him, even with his dirty laundry being aired. Ironically, twenty years ago, a man who was divorced or unfaithful to his wife didn't have a chance to be President (case in point: Gary Hart). Now, however, a man's marital history is not as important. That was put to bed, so to speak, by Bill Clinton's antics in the Oval Office. This metamorphosis has had the effect of helping both Giuliani and Thompson and it's all thanks to Bubba.
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 3)
1. Uh let me think,married more than once that means he failed to control his first marriage,failed on the second one,now on the third but what about his children which should come first before anything else again he failed on being an effective parent.
He failed to be prepare effectively after the 1993 first World Trade Centre bombing which if he did would've save many lives on 9/11.We're looking at a presidential candidate with a failed record in almost everything.His stand on major moral issues such as abortion is also a big failure so this isn't looking very good for someone who wants to be president of the United States.I hope some sensible and intelligent people look at this with an eye opener and figure out the pattern.
KaM at 12:44PM on Aug 2nd 2007
2. Giuliani has not been anointed just yet, Scott. I do not beleive for a minute that this guy will pass the smell test with Pat Robertson and James Dobson, the unofficial leaders of the Republican Party.
If Giuliani is elected, many religious conservatives will stay home. That means Giulaini would have to pull enough indpendent and Dem votes. He could do it, but I don't believe he will be brave enough to stand up to the likes of Robertson and Dobson or the social conservatives. He is already wimping out on abortion rights..no doubt gay rights are next, the typical Republican playbook. Yet he cannot fool religious conservatives one bit. Say what you will about the religious right, they know a rat when they smell one.
I would vote for Giuliani if he would stand up these fools.
David S. at 3:27PM on Aug 2nd 2007
3. Dave S,
You all just don't get it. The Christian groups and James Dobson don't have nearly the power you credit them with. Giuliani will appeal to the independents and the Dobson types won't matter. believe me, independents will vote for Rudy before Hillary.
The left hates the Christian hierarchy and think they pull the strings in the GOP when that can't befarther from the truth. It's like saying the anti-war, far-left haters that are represented by Kos and his ilk direct the Donks as to what to say and how to vote...er, mevermind:
http://blogometer.nationaljournal.com/archives/2007/08/82_yearly_kos_p.html
sswenviron at 3:38PM on Aug 2nd 2007
4. Are these two twins their hair style look the same.Imagine if they become the GOP ticket,that definitely a minus.
Pen at 5:58PM on Aug 2nd 2007
5. david s.,
it wasn't until ronald reagan sold out the republican party to the christian right that repubs had a social agenda.he did this in order to take votes away from the southern christian democrats that were jimmy carter's base, on waht was then called "super tuesday". as a goldwater repub, i am for a strong defense, less goverment, and lower taxes. that is it. a lot of us older repubs are fairly disturbed by the direction the party is taking. we talk about it on the golf course often.
better returns at 5:49PM on Aug 2nd 2007
6. You are absolutely right, better returns..I remember well the image of Ronald Reagan on stage at the 1980 or 1984 convention (or both) holding hands with Pat Robertson and Falwell (on stage, that is).
You sound like a common sense Republican..Gerald Ford nor Nixon (I was a school aged child when they were president) rarely if ever spoke about God, nor did Democrats of that era. Jimmy Carter was the first to talk about his faith, and people thought we was a weirdo. But Carter had the nerve to support Roe v. Wade, and then we were off to the races...
David S. at 6:33PM on Aug 2nd 2007
7. Rudy is a fake. He is living off a legacy, or should i say a lie. Wake up america, listen to Rudy speak, hell listen to any of the top Republicans. Its the same trash thats been thrown at us the last 7 years. If you want a change you're going to have to vote democrats.
Patrick at 7:39PM on Aug 2nd 2007
8. the reason rudy is taking hits is because the liberals know he is the only republican who stands a chance
robrt lipton at 7:53PM on Aug 2nd 2007
9. Wake up america,the heroes are the fire fighters and police officers of 911 not guilliani.Where are our morals?The man cheated on his wife,married his first cousin,Oh,how about when he marched on the step of city hall with those out of control protesters when dinkins was mayor,how about the black leaders he refused to meet with?Amica is a country of all colors race and ethnics,dont let this liar fool us.
gene w youance at 10:28PM on Aug 3rd 2007
10. His kids are not part of his life,he divorced his second wife on national television,he married his own cousin,now he"s on his third marriage.Did anyone know of this guy before 911?Do we want our kids to follow this guy as a role model?Where are our principles?Why the greatest country in the world is allowing this dictator to run for president?
gene w youance at 10:32PM on Aug 3rd 2007
11. Scott's Dilema:
Cirque de 'solel or The greatest show on earth.
A self-agrandizing, lithsping, serial adultering, cross-dressing, half-wit with no legislative, national security or foreign policy experience;
or a sickly old washed-up, hog calling Tennesee Jed in a $350 Stetson.. don't fuss me, now, ya'all !!!!!
Shit...Where's Bob Dole? He's is twice the candidate of either of these clowns...
Madam Hillary or or Pres. Edwards, take yer pick
Manfred at 1:49AM on Aug 3rd 2007
12. I really believe that the republican party will have to go the way of the Whigs in 2008. The old formula
with the Religious right being the centerpiece, cannot sustain a mainstream party. I am a science focused, non doctrinaire, libertarian/ fiscal conservative. I have nowhere to go. I think we are
more threatened by Mexican Aztlanistas than by the
crazy elements within ISLAM. We will have to address the cultural transformation into a quasi-Mexico within the next eight to twelve years. Something like the French, German, or Russian revolutions will reshape the nation along very different lines.
I won't live to see much of this whimpering end to
to the great social experiment called U.S.A.
Bye-bye Miss American Pie...if you gt my drift!
Allan S. at 2:46AM on Aug 3rd 2007
13. KaM:
My aren't you the perfect one! Counting off someone else's shortcomings. And to say he isn't a good parent because he is divorced is streching it a bit.I am divorced and raised my kids by myself,because their father decided he didn't want to be apart of their lives,because after he molested my 10yr old sister,his visits had to be supervised by the sherriff's dept.Does that make me an unfit mother as well because I am divorced. You make it sound like you are so darn lily white,NEVER done anything wrong or sinned, and NO ONE is without sin. If you were you would be GOD, and that you aren't. God is our heavenly father who gave his only begotten son so we may have everlasting life.You better hope you are ready Ms.PERFECT!
donna at 12:54PM on Aug 3rd 2007
14. having grown up in brooklyn i can assure you that we all knew about Rudy...he's the real deal out there taking crap and plugging along...someone should tell Fred to get in or get off the pot...
j marek at 1:49PM on Aug 3rd 2007
15. I read these and think where in the hell do these people come up with these thought.
Have we as American taken common sense out of every thought we have?
What is the name of the enemy our troops are now fighting in Iraq? Even the liberal news media call them Ali Qaeda and Taliban. Who were the people that attack American on 9/11? Same name hum! Oh wait I heard George Bush was behind the 9/11 attack so say the Liberal bloggers. Also Bush lied and went into Iraq knowing there were no WMD. I'm sure you listened to what the Clinton's, Kerry, and the other liberals said at the time we attack Iraq. With the very SAME information Bush had. They were all for it, Yes, let go get em. Go back and listen to all of them even the crazy T. Kennedy was for it. But when the going got tough they got the hell out of Dodge. Of course Kennedy always was a coward.
And I heard that the President and the V. President is running the price of oil up to make fat profits for themselves. Holly crap!!! What kind of life do you Liberals lead? Do you think H. Clinton or any of the liberals running for President would be a good leader in a all out war if we had one? A cut and run at the first sight of blood. For the most part all say what they think you want to hear. And for the most part so do all the voted In's in City, state and Federal Government.
We Americans have gotten so soft and lazy. Can't fight our battles any more if they last for very long. And what the Government to come do everything we could do for ourselves. The Government is not our parents. Never was intended to be. Grow up Liberal America.
robloe at 12:04PM on Aug 3rd 2007