Posted on 05/30/2007 4:55:55 PM PDT by Extremely Extreme Extremist
(AP) BURLINGAME -- Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani on Wednesday declared that California's early primary has made the state more than a political ATM—just as he accepted a check from a supporter during a visit to a cafe and headed to two fundraising events.
Still, California's Feb. 5 presidential primary seemed to be having its intended effect this week, with several major candidates blending their fundraising chores with campaign stops to shake hands with potential voters. Democrats John Edwards and Hillary Rodham Clinton also were headed to the nation's most delegate-rich state Wednesday and Thursday.
Giuliani stepped off a plane at San Francisco International Airport and promptly went to the Broadway Grill a few minutes away to chat with customers. His campaign ensured the lunchtime visit was stacked with supporters, sending out an e-mail Wednesday morning urging them to stop by the cafe en route to the fundraiser.
Those crowded into the restaurant appeared to be a mix of regulars in T-shirts and committed supporters clad in suits and ties and bound for the fundraiser, which cost $250 and up.
George Yerby handed the candidate a check for $200 on the spot. Giuliani hastily passed it to an aide.
"He's going to be the next president," Yerby, 67, who lives in the wealthy Bay area enclave of Hillsborough, said afterward. "I hope."
Giuliani closed his fundraisers here and in Beverly Hills to the public and news media. The restaurant stop, where he sipped orange juice and coffee, was open.
He acknowledged to reporters outside the grill that raising money "has always been a big focus in California, like it was in New York."
"One of the complaints that New Yorkers have had, and that Californians have had, is 'They come here, they take our money, but they don't campaign here,"' he said. "So now, they're going to get both—they're going to get us coming here and trying to get your money, but also coming here and campaigning."
California is one of 15 states to move its primary to Feb. 5, and others are considering it. Its regular primary for state candidates will remain in June 2008.
Giuliani promised to return regularly if he captures the GOP presidential nomination.
"I think I'm the one Republican candidate who has a legitimate chance of winning California. That's based on the polls," he said.
A Field Poll of California voters in March suggested otherwise. It showed GOP rival Sen. John McCain running stronger against Edwards and Clinton in hypothetical head-to-head matchups. McCain and Giuliani trailed Democratic candidate Barack Obama by identical margins.
Mr Rudy should feel very much at home in s.f.
Must be gay! (sorry, just had to get in on the kneejerk politics early in the thread)
This must have been a thrill for the two Republicans in San Francisco.
I thought there were three Republicans in s f. Poor critters. It would be pure hell to have to live there.
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