Posted on 05/02/2007 6:04:11 AM PDT by areafiftyone
WASHINGTON -- Everybody said Rudy Giuliani would be about as appealing in the South as a three-day-old bagel.
The former mayor of New York is a Yankee who has been married three times and supports gay rights and abortion rights.
But he drew an "overflow" crowd when he spoke to the Alabama Legislature last month, according to The Associated Press. He's campaigning in Georgia and South Carolina and dropped by a conference in North Carolina last week. He's going back to Alabama May 9.
On Giuliani's Web site, joinrudy2008.com, there's a link to a blog by David Brody, a political reporter for CBN, the Christian news network. He warns it would be a mistake to rule Giuliani out.
Apparently on a first-name basis with Giuliani, Brody writes, "Rudy's message on social issues may hurt him in the Bible Belt, but he has other factors that play well." And he linked to a video clip of a couple of guys singing Lynryd Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama" on a TV talent show.
Whoa.
Many political observers who once assumed Giuliani didn't have a prayer in the conservative South are reconsidering.
It's an uphill battle to be sure, but Giuliani's message of fiscal conservatism and being tough on terrorism sells in the region -- even if his support for state gun control regulations doesn't.
During last year's campaign, he was the star attraction at a fundraiser for Ralph Reed, the former Christian Coalition head who was running for lieutenant governor of Georgia. Reed lost, but Giuliani is back in the South, campaigning for himself this time.
In his speech April 10 to the Alabama Legislature, Giuliani wrapped himself in the Reagan legacy -- he was No. 3 in the Reagan Justice Department. He insisted he will not shift positions with the wind but, like Reagan, will set a course and stick with it. And, he promised to cut taxes.
Giuliani, who leads the pack of GOP presidential hopefuls in polls and fundraising, would be the strongest Republican in a general election, political scientists say. The question is whether he can persuade the party's conservative base to give him the chance.
Touting his post-9/11 leadership in New York, Giuliani ripped a page from President Bush's 2004 playbook last week and charged that his Democratic competitors would be weak in the fight against terrorism.
A Democratic president will let up on that fight, prolonging it at a cost of more American lives, he said in New Hampshire. The country would be better off electing a Republican -- namely himself.
Democratic contenders Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards all responded vigorously, a sign that they take Giuliani seriously.
So do some Southern politicians. Among them is Sen. David Vitter, R-La., who wrote in a letter to the editor of the Shreveport Times that, after prayer and consideration, he is backing Giuliani.
"Even with all the international threats we face," Vitter wrote, "we'll sleep soundly at night with Rudy in the White House."
"And," he said, "while I may disagree with Rudy on some issues that are very important to me, I am confident he's the right man for the job."
What makes Giuliani palatable is his assurance to Vitter and others that he'll appoint judges who are strict constitutionalists and won't "legislate from the bench."
One major factor in Giuliani's favor is the new, front-loaded primary election calendar. New York, New Jersey and California now are among the many states holding primaries Feb. 5.
Political scientist Merle Black of Emory University says that Giuliani likely will win New York and New Jersey, and if he wins California, too, that day, he could be unstoppable. If Giuliani wins the top slot, he'll pick someone like the actor and former Sen. Fred Thompson of Tennessee as his running mate to balance the ticket, Black said.
Giuliani knows many Republicans won't agree with him on everything.
"I will tell you what I believe. If you agree with it, fine. If you don't agree with it, you have a right not to agree with it," he told the Alabama Legislature. "If you don't agree, you have a right not to vote for me."
“Funny...... Seattle news media piece reporting how an NY liberal will do in the South”
And the writer of this tripe, Marsha Mercer, is a leftwing anti-gunner.
Its no wonder this moron thinks Rooty has a chance.
Ditto that.
Come on - next you’ll say you’re going to move to France.
Try not to walk away from the process under any circumstance.
Your vote is the POWER of you - never ever say walk away.
By the way - I would say that to a liberal democrat as well as to you.
Voting is so cool - we are so lucky.
If you want to work for Giuliani because you think he’s the best guy, fine. Primary polls, as you well know, have many ups and downs and twists. GHWB even led Reagan for a time. Would you have jumped on that and said “see, see, gotta go with the frontrunner”. Only if you were a fool.
My goal is to undermine libs, so I will be happy when any conservative beats Rudy out.
LOL... Marsha Mercer! How low will you go 51?
I doubt it.
Giuliani makes fundraising stops in Mobile, Montgomery
"After the breakfast in Mobile, during which Giuliani said he steered clear of the grits and just drank coffee, the former mayor flew to Montgomery for another $1,000-per-person campaign fundraiser before addressing a joint session of the Alabama Legislature that drew an overflow crowd."
Indeed, voting is the only power we have. And consequently, if we pledge in advance to give our vote to whoever has an 'R' next to his name, then we surrender every bit of that power and can no longer influence things. There must be the possibility of a candidate losing that vote in order for there to be any power in the wielding of it.
Well - I did not mean (or intend) to use Dick Morris’s talking points. Honest.
As to your claim that Rudy will split the Republican party.
Possibly.
I have said a number of times that such a split, if it occurs, might be needed and healthy - in the long term.
I would not object to seeing the GOP pendulum swing more toward the center - and away from a strict social conservative mantel. It might be healthy.
That’s politics - a system of constant realignment with the circumstances of the times.
Ok - I plead guilty of supporting Rudy.
Now - I will also support the final GOP nominee under all circumstances.
That's why all these NY libs are pushing Rudy, they want Hilliry.
Rudy has a much better chance than you can imagine.......the quiet Republicans want him, they don’t talk about it but he has their votes.....they may not even mention it to their friends, but he has those votes....
OK
FYI - my support for Rudy began the night of the GOP convention in 2004 - 5 minutes after his keynote address.
I want an butt-kicker in the White House.
I want a POTUS who will fire idiots.
I want a POTUS who will attack those who attack him.
I want a POTUS who will attack those who attack the U.S.
I want a POTUS who knows himself.
Rudy is no wuss.
Thanks for letting me rant a little.
I also like and respect - Fred, and Mitt.
I think Rudy Fred ticket would be just about the best, and may I speculate that that is the plan......that’s why fred is out now....he’s not the material for the boss, but what a great balance he would add to the ticket....I bet you that’s what it will be.....
He wouldn’t eat grits ????
That does - I’m writing letters.
Quick story.
In 1977, I was a Freshman at The Citadel in Charleston S.C.
I California boy - I never even heard of grits. I thought they were nasty.
By Christmas of my Freshman year - I poured them on everything.
Grits are scary - until the yoke of an egg is broken into them and your mouth gets a hold of them.
RUDY - wake up buddy - grits are the best.
Spicy Shrimp and Grits - damn... I’m hungry.
Fair enough.
I want a POTUS who steers the country in a conservative direction. And makes sound, reasoned decisions based upon that conservatism.
Your description could have been of Elliott Spitzer. Knows what he wants and goes after it, playing hardball. Unfortunately for us, Rudy and Elliott also share many of the same beliefs.
I lived inthe South my entire life - -Atlanta, Greenville, S.C. and Montgomery, AL --
Trust me -- the legally funded abortion comments killed whatever chance he had.
Hey you - I live in Greenville SC now - I hate it here.
But - at my Club - I would say 75% of the members I talk to
on a daily basis - all support Rudy.
I kid you not - the man carries the day at my club.
My club is old south - not some liberal hang out.
I like you more and more pissant - you’re tough as nails.
Rudy leads the democrats by 4 points in all national polls.
That's a 16 point spread.
At this point in the 2000 campaign Bush had an 18 point lead on Gore in the polls. Those numbers mean nothing and won't until the two nominees are chosen.
Everyone keeps saying how great Giuliani is going to do in the South, but yesterday's ARG poll has McCain up by 13% in South Carolina.
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