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 3 of 3)
31. we had one who was still married to his childhood sweetheart and never a whisper of affairs, advocated common sense approach to things,was partner in a great economy, left our nation with a surplus, warned about global warming, made a great representative, a great senator and a great vice president.... but you didnt think he was good enough. so anything you have to say rings hollow to me. btw Al Gore dont want you any more...
Dixie Tanksley at 6:53PM on Aug 5th 2007
32. we had one who was still married to his childhood sweetheart and never a whisper of affairs, advocated common sense approach to things,was partner in a great economy, left our nation with a surplus, warned about global warming, made a great representative, a great senator and a great vice president.... but you didnt think he was good enough. so anything you have to say rings hollow to me. btw Al Gore dont want you any more...
Dixie Tanksley at 6:55PM on Aug 5th 2007
33. Fred Thompson is a great actor with a great speaking voice, strong and easy to listen to. But Fred is going to be a politicaly undecided a little too long. People are beginning he can't make up his own mind. what is this game he's playing? I respect someone who lays his cards out on the table...don't you? Some advisor must have given him bogus advice.
rick at 10:19AM on Aug 6th 2007
34. Dixie - Al Gore??? You've GOT to be kidding!!! If that's your idea of a statesman, you are naive. Go back and study history. BTW I never wanted the likes of him in the first place so it certainly doesn't bother me that he doesn't want me ANYMORE!
Tired Old Man at 9:23PM on Aug 6th 2007
35. WIAT UNTIL YOUR UPTIGHT CHRISTIAN WOMEN GET A LOOK AT FRED THOMPSON,S TROPHY WIFE!!SHE LOOKS 14 COMPARED TO HIM. DID HE DUMP AN OLDER LONG TIME WIFE FOR HER?
B MATHEWS at 1:28PM on Aug 7th 2007
36. DOES ANYONE REALLY BELIEVE THAT BUSH, CHENEY AND ROVE (THE REAL AXIS OF EVIL) ARE GOING TO GO QUIETLY INTO THE GOOD NIGHT IN JAN. 2009? DONT COUNT ON IT. THEY ARE NOT ABOUT TO GIVE UP ALL THE POWER THEY STOLE FOR THEMSELVES WITHOUT A FIGHT.
B MATHEWS at 2:00PM on Aug 7th 2007
37. Rudy can win. Bottom line. I'll take a tough Giuliani administration with a proven track record in governing over a socialist Clinton administration anyday of the decade! He flips blue states to red and that IS the bottom line. Winning is paramount.
It's GOP Me! at 4:23PM on Aug 12th 2007
38. The cynical flow of this commentary is alarming. Did you ever think what would be the USA without the moral strength of the right. The atlantic travellers of the eruopean continent were driven by their zeal for God and country.Pioneers explored this land and defending it because of their zeal for God and country.The fundamental truth of all created equal, comes from zeal for Christ which flamed the civil rights movement.Instead of creating further division with hostile arguments, the course today should be why does the right have this strength? My surmation would be because the whole weight of history pushes us forward toward Christ Jesus and His truth in mankind.
c.nip at 7:17PM on Sep 11th 2007