CNN

any candidate that feels my state is not worth the effort will never get my vote. it clearly shows they are more interested in one class of citizen or profession than the others.

I really don't think Rudy Giuliani understands what it takes to campaign for president, nor is he in touch with those who truly do. If he has to employ out of the box tactics and then hope they actually propel him into the running I don't think he is much of a person to seriously consider for President. One cannot help but get the feeling that one reason he might be cherry picking states to run in is that he really has nothing significant to offer the public or say to them. I think we will see Rudy Giuliani disappear off the radar screen after Super Tuesday.

Only time will tell. I guess there are not many snowbirds in Iowa or New Hampshire. They all seem to flock to warmer states and come election day maybe they will remember who he is.

Rudy's wait and see attitude was the worst political decision ever, even lagging behind Fred's late entry, it will be the GUMP effect for Rudy, stupid is as stupid dose.
bowling green,mo.

"Is Giuliani still running for president?" I'm sure that's what a lot of voters are thinking now. We've already had several major primaries and caucuses with no Rudy to be found. Out of sight, out of mind as far as the voters are concerned. Look at the final percentages of the votes in places like Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina...Giuliani got single digits. Voters in future primaries are now deciding between Romney, McCain, or Huckabee. The American people's attention span or for that matter memory isn't very long and I'm afraid Rudy is forgotten.

Rudy's strategy actually wasn't that bad except that he thought he could do it and spend away at the same time. If he wasn't going to compete until Florida he should have frozen all of his campaign's cash until it was needed. Now, he's won nothing, is broke, and is living on a prayer that Florida can provide his salvation.

in my opinion his mistake would be "to not miss every race". for the life of me i cannot understand why anyone would vote for him. he has no understanding of macro economics, has failed to educate himself about the causes/motivation of terrorism and illegal immigration and is pro nafta. evidently he has not been to the grocery store lately to see first hand how inflation is effecting the average family. when biscuits and butter jump 60% in price overnight there is something fundamentally wrong. his economic package will only worsen the situation because it does not address government spending cuts. as for his proposed tax breaks sure they would be nice to have but it will further excaberate the existing problems considering that every dollar recieved from taxes goes directly to pay against the national debt. where is the sense in that? gee, lets let everyone feel good for 15 minutes while they pay down a debt or make a deposit to savings just like 85% of people did the last time. meanwhile the federal debt continues to rise as we borrow or print more money to make the debt payments. please mr. g. miss every race.

Jack,

It doesn't matter when Giuliani gets in the race. He is living in the past. He thinks 911 and being a clone of Ronald Reagan will get him the nomination. He even thinks he doesn't have to spend any money on his campaign or agree with any of the Republican party's fundamentals. He is in a world of his own. When the Republican voters wake up, which appears has happened, he won't have a chance.

No because only die hard New Yorkers who remember the good old days of corruption, greed and philandering would vote for him.

It is obvious Rudy knows about the "voting twice system".

That is when you have Absentee vote sent to your home up North
but get to vote again in FL with your other address....
The winter address........

Too bad no way to check Social Security numbers for duplication.

Did you notice how he looks just like Gloria Swanson in Sunset Boulevard.
Saw him yesterday on TV , the eyebrows go wayyyyy up, the the whites
of his eyes get really biggggg.

" Mr Demille, I am ready for my closeup".

.

WANT A CHARACTER REFERENCE FOR GIULIANI, ASK HIS EX-WIFE.

Florida may be too little too late, Jack. I wonder how many people he has antagonized by staying out of earlier races. On the other hand, with all the nonsense happening in these past races, he may be the fresh face we are looking for.

Jack
I think we can stick a fork in Rudy he is done. Who ever his advisors are, they have to be kicking themselves for laying back and waiting for Florida. People have forgotten who Rudy is already.

From the beginning Mayor Guliani's campaign seemed to have less of purpose and committment and appeared to reflect more of a person just going along for the ride.This 'wait -till-the-next-primary' attitude to really show 'em has turned off many.He really wasn't a serious candidate,i.e.willing to work for the candidacy,but more hoping that his 911-celebrity status would get him there.People are wise not to buy into that low level of commitment for the increasingly most important job in the world.

As a central Florida resident, I can tell you that it's Guliani-mania down here. He's popping up everywhere, and the local news always has coverage of what he's doing. Speeches here, speeches there, not to mention his campaign posters litter the roads. I think he'll get a much needed win here that will propel him to the front.

It was a mistake for Rudy to run at all.

Being able to use 9/11 in every sentence you utter does not quality you to be president.

It certainly seems that way, Jack. Giuliani has been at or near the bottom of every primary or caucus so far, now he's in last place in the delegate race. With the polls now saying it's a virtual tie in Florida, it seems as though the hard campaigning Giuliani has done there isn't even going to pay off. I think the Giuliani campaign is just about dead in the water.

I think it was a mistake. What is he thinking? Is he saving money for Super Tuesday? He won't be a consideration for voters by then. He will have to flood those states with he's name to get back to square one.

Jack, Rudy's boat came in but sailed off, to McCainville a few days ago. Voters in the states Rudy ignored feel diminished and anappreciated. That vibe has spread like a wild fire. Rudy's strong suit, on national security has been trumped, by McCain. Rudy will get out, after his defeat to McCain, in Florida.

Sorry Jack. I didn't realize he was running anywhere. I just thought he went to Florida like every other retired person does.

Yes. He's now losing to McCain in NY which is terrible for him. He made a big mistake, only counting delegates instead of taking momentum and headlines into account.

Yes it was a mistake. He always claimed that he was running a "National Campaign," but so far he isn't in the national eye. If he looses Florida he is out, but if he wins he is a frontrunner again. But the fact that he has been behind Paul for most the race, shouldn't we be asking not “What is Giuliani doing wrong," but "what is Paul doing right?"

It all depends on how dumb the voters in Florida are. If they haven’t learned anything in the last seven years then by playing to the lowest common denominator, or rather IQ level, he won’t be making a mistake. But remember, no politician ever lost an election by underestimating a voter’s intelligence. If anyone in Florida votes for Rudy Nineeleven they deserve him. Maybe he can just be president of Florida and let the rest of us have an honest candidate who doesn't make Hillary look guileless.

I think that Guiliani just needs to hang it up. My man Ron Paul gets more votes than he does. I hope he gives us all a break and leaves the race today!

No, it was not a mistake at all. It sure did cut down on the number of times we had to hear all about his imagined "Hero of 9/11" status. He did absolutely NOTHING that any mayor of any major US city wouldn't have done, but in my opinion, he probably did less. Say goodbye Rudy.

Yes, definitely risky! I'm an independent. I would possibly vote for McCain or Huckabee but Guliani. PLEAAAAAAAAAAASE! He's been married 3 times and his kids hardly speak to him. He's too liberal to be a Republican! How can you bet your whole candidacy on one state, It's just silly....His whole campaign is 9-11, there are more issues than national security, not to minimize it but he needs a better foundation than only being the mayor of NYC. Can't win, no way, no how!

Rudy Giuliani the former mayor of New York and 911 hero in some people's eyes, is running for president? I'd did not know that.

In ignoring the early races, he ignored those voters. Only Rudy would be arrogant enough to think that was a good idea.

he is a moron. what is his message? he would be the perfect president for another 9/11? what is his message? Does he have one?

Personally, I think he's made the crucial error in politics: putting all his eggs in one basket. Like many others, I'm tired of the "9/11" emphasis in his campaigning.
If you read his life history, including his felonius mafioso daddy, it appears that during his city administration, he swept numerous problems under the rug and appointed several city officials that later were charged with criminal acts including the now-infamous Bernard Kerik.
NY-ers recall his public declaration of his intent to divorce his wife, and now we hear about the lovie-dovie charges he and his lover-wife put on the city's account.
HOWEVER, even if none of the above had happened: fundie repugs are not going to vote for a twice-divorced man who is in favor of abortion. And that pretty well cans him from the get-go.

His mistake is campaigning in Disney Land all this time. I don't think Mickey Mouse even wants to vote for him.

Jack:

Absolutely! Rudy is finished. That Fat Lady has sung, Rudy has just been wearing earplugs.

Jack, Rudi is riding the coat tails of 9/11 and a failed Republican president, he won't even be a player in the end. Good thing he has his young wife to console him! Richard

Giuliani likes to make mistakes, like his first two marriages and his adulterous behavior. The Republicans should nominate him even if he gets no delegates. He is just what the party needs.

Why should this be any different, he already ignores the will of the people and imposes higher health care costs and a less-than invigorating economy on us.

We want NO amnesty for the illegals here, they should have to apply the same as everybody else, including the ones legally waiting their turn outside of this country. To allow anything but the legal path others have taken, is another opening that got us this mess in the first place.

It was a mistake, but what do you expect from someone who was absolutely unqualified for the job to begin with?

Gugliani is dead in this political campaign. He will not win in Florida, and then what? He is counting with all the New Yorkers that retire to Florida. We need
a charismatic leader, that not only is likable in couple of states but in the national
arena.

Rudy's mistake was both his strategy and his campaign.

He did a good job as mayor of New York for about 6 years, reducing crime, improving the economy,etc.. Then he decided to run for President on the basis of 9/11, which was basically a photo-op of him walking down Broadway with a mask on !!

As for his strategy, he could never have been competitive in the early primaries; he's too socially liberal; but he let the other guys get all the press for months and he became irrelevant.

Then it came out that he used the State police as an escort to his lover's house (while he was married). So he has the morals of Bill Clinton.

This is not a Republican Presidential nominee ......

He is now old news, and now with the flood of news and candidates heading into the sunshine state, his message will be rather stale. I wouldn't be surprised if he loses to Ron Paul..... AGAIN.
In a time of trying to sew this country together, ignoring most of it is not going to help. There is no "mo" in this race, it is all about the message, and his is stuck in Florida.

Not at all Jack. Giliani was a super hero in the 911 disaster. He figures if just one more disaster could hit before the end of summer, he could take his super -hero costume out and once again be the man of the hour. It's a shame people forget heroes so quickly. Of course being a hero is not a prerequisite for being a President.

Not a mistake, because if Giuliani gains the nomination and becomes President, it will be a virtual continuation of the Bush regime – the least approved administration in recent generations.

Thank you Rudy for putting all your eggs in one basket, and then losing that basket.

I fully agree with Norris on this point: McCain is definitely too old to start office as President! The job is much too stenuous to have a 70+ year old at the helm in his first term. I do not, however, believe that Chuck did Huck any favors by making the statement.... He should stress why he believes Huckabee should be the GOP nominee and leave those other "off-color" comments to somebody else. John

No, it wasn't a mistake to put all of his eggs in the Florida basket. If he's smart, he'll do exactly what Bush did in the 2000 election.

Giuliani's biggest mistake was to continuously refer to Bin Lain's success. Appertently he or his staff are not that profficient at budgeting either if they are all going with out pay. (Although politicians going with out pay is impressive) His thoughts of prevoking nostalgic beliefs in transplanted New Yorkers is proving to be a weak strategy. People in Florida are out of work, out of money and, out of paticience. Isn't it obvious that the status quo of yesterdays politicians will not do, Mr.Giuliani.

Definately a mistake! It just shows you don't have that electability factor. I see a good race between McCain, Romney & Huckbee, Why put Rudy in the mix? Even if Rudy wins Florida, the GOP won't elect him for that, we need to see more out of Rudy. It's time to step up to the plate! Dinner is served!

Dana
Florida

No not really. Face it Jack. Voting for president is not about the popular vote. Your civic duty is something you do in the restroom with toilet paper not at your local election office. The electoral college decides who becomes president. When you register to vote you are merely signing up for jury duty and annoying phone calls from poll takers and nothing else.
Electoral colleges are an ancient institution. Germanic law stated that the German king led only with the support of his nobles. The village idiots, us, ( the voters) have no say in it. That may seem Un-American but that is the way it has always been. And all this time you thought your vote meant something. Sorry to bust everyone's bubble but facts is facts.

Fred Thompson is longer perceived as the laziest candidate. Rudy Guiliani might very well be working hard in the state of the Florida, but for all the rest of us in the other 49 states know, he's been hanging out with Mike Gravel.

I believe that it was a mistake for Rudy to even run and run on the premise that he was the savor for New York after (well you know, that day the GOP still tries to enbody everyone one with). A vote for Rudy will be no different then to keep GWB in office, he is running with the same policy that GWB did and the people have had enough.

rudy is toast.

Uh.. Rudy who?

Michael
Los Angeles

If Giuliani wins, he's a genius. When he looses, which is more likely, he'll question his strategy. Maybe he should go back to New York and work on his constituents there.

Jack, would you really want to inherit the problems and situations that the Bush administration has put this country in and through? Rudi wants to be president, yes, but he is going to let someone else try to deal with the current state of affairs because he like millions of others know that if its Hillary or any of the republicans now running, they will probably fail miserably to drastically change things for the better. With that in mind, Rudi can sit back, wait four years, and say I told you so. He will then be in position to make a legitimate run which has a much better chance of succeding and lasting two full termsw. Nobody wants to be president for just four years but, there's a good chance the next president will only last that long. If the next president doesn't re-establish Americas standing and image in the rest of the world, and turn this country completely around, they will be ripe for defeat in four years. Maybe Rudi is alot smarter than the rest of us and is just setting himself for a decisive and serious run in 2012.

Jack, you, I nor anyone will know the answer to that question until a: he drops out of the race. or b: he wins the Republican nomination. Until then, everything else is just speculation.

Rudy who??

Of course it was a mistake for Rudy skip the early races and put all of his faith in Florida. I live in Florida, and quite frankly, you really cant trust Florida voters. He should have a talk Al Gore about that.

Well if he can't win New York, how can he beat the Democrats come November. Didn't Gore lose Tennessee? I think this is pretty much the end of the Giulani campaign.

It was a welcome mistake for Rudy to skip previous elections; watching him lose to Ron Paul has been more than a pleasure. Rudy is giggling fool with no valid representation of the people, as evidenced by every "I" statement he makes. Contrast that to Ron Paul's "YOU" statements and it's no wonder Rudy is failing. He'll sink in FL, then maybe he can retire there.

I think it was a mistake. New polls show Guiliani is losing to McCain in both Florida and New York. I also find it embarassing that he's losing in New York, his home state.

Guiliani is running for VP. He is NOT a liked man here in NY. After Florida he will be gone thankfully

It was a bad strategy for Rudy. It shows the arrogance that IS Rudy.

It was a critical mistake. Imagine a footbal team that tries to win a football game by not playing in the first quarter because they want to save their energy for the rest of the game. Giuliani should go back to New York because he is mortally wounded. Maybe he can run agains Elliot Spitzer for governor or maybe he can run for the Senate seat that everyone knows will soon be vacated by Hillary.

Of course it was a mistake for Rudy to skip the early states. He is not getting the media attention that gets you elected in this day and age more so than your positions and policies. He has missed almost a onth of talk show spots and has been largely ignored in all the debates so far. Rudy should have asked Al Gore how well you can count on Florida before he put his egs in that basket.

Giuliani's strategy will work well for him. He is capitalizing on his strengths, Florida and New York. He will lead the country to success with the same strategy... capitalizing on the US's strengths.

Jack sez: "Here’s my question to you: Was it a mistake for Rudy Giuliani to ignore the early races?"

My answer: Rudy is a mistake. Fuggeddabouthim.

It is not a smart decision by Rudy putting all of his eggs in one basket. It shows something about is decision making. Plus if you want to be President of the United States, you have to represent all of the nation. Not just one section of the nation.

Tommy Lopez
Hurst, TX

What's a mistake is for money to decide the race. What do free elections really mean?

It wouldn't matter when Rudy entered the race. His disaster of a personal life shows a man without judgment and an ego that tells him that there are no consequences for his actions.

Rudy made no mistake. If he had run hard in Iowa and New Hampshire, he would have disappeared from the news the same day Joe Biden did.

Blair
New York City
(a guy who knows what it's like to live under RG)

It may have been a big mistake for Rudy, but it's a great mistake for the future of America... Rudy is as informed as George Bush when it comes to fighting terror and international relations... I just feel bad for all those people who donated money to send Rudy on a everlasting vacation to Florida (just like bush, they like vacations)... Maybe Rudy has political aspirations to be Governor of Florida.. I'm sure G.B. can fix, I mean help him win that election.

Giuliani's mistake was not ignoring the early states, but entering the race at all. I would have to agree with what Joe Biden had to say about Rudy: "Noun, verb, 9/11." America's Mayor is not America's president.

Rudy was wrong to even try to run at all. There are two Rudy's . Most people only know 9-11 Rudy, now everyone is starting to know the Rudy we all know and dislike in the Northeast. It is finally all catching up with him now.

Mistake, Jack? Are you serious?? Can you somehow show up at the superbowl without beeing in the playoffs? I rest my case!

Jack,

I believe Rudy was rather unwise in choosing to only campaign in Florida. I live and go to college in Florida and I have yet to speak with anyone who has firmly stated "Rudy's my man." The saying "putting all of one's eggs in the same basket" has been proven true time and time again.

Of course it isn't a mistake. The fist 5 states are nothing but a popularity contest. Who cares about Iowa, New Hampshire or South Carolina? They have virtually NO delegates. They say you need momentum, but Guilliani has had momentum since September 11th 2001.

Yes, it was a terrible mistake, and I am so very glad he made it - the mere prospect of Guiliani being elected president is almost enough to take away my will to live.

Not so much as it was a mistake to run as a Republican.

Risky...you bet! Good think he's a lawyer, that way he can sue the knucklehead who suggested this strategy for free.

Giuliani....out of sight ,, out of Mind ...out of vote ...out of Office... Good thing this guy is not a coach.. what a bone headed strategy. we are forgetting his name with every passing minute in this primary.

Yes it was risky but all us die hard republicans are glad he did because it probably ruined his chances at the nomination. Just because a donkey dresses up in an elephant suit doesnt mean we will vote for him. He will have to try a lot harder to scare us into thinking the terrorists will kill us all before he gets any more support.... and i think McCain has that position all sewed up.

It was a mistake for him, but a gift to the country.

Rudy thought he could waltz into the White House on the coattails of September 11th. He figured that, given his out of control ego, "America's Mayor" was all it was going to take. What he didn't count on were the numerous scandals clipped to his coat and the fact that he really has nothing to offer this country except the memory of 9/11. Americans are moving on and realize that there is more to this country than war and memories.

It was a mistake for Rudy Giuliani to skip out on those states with the hope that he will win Florida. It would be detrimental for him to lose the state and most likely he would be eliminated for the race. I guess in the end if Giuliani losses Florida he can always get a recount.

Guilianni; the man who turned 9-11 into a photo op!!! This is the perfect strategy for a brain dead, cross dressing, jerk who shouldn't be running in the first place!

Giuliani's strategy seemed logical and smart a couple of months ago but now it seems moronic. He has been out of the radar for a few weeks and now Florida is do or die. Rudy took himself out of the race with this strategy. Move on Rudy.

I don't know if it was a mistake, but it is slightly offensive to admit that other states before Florida just don't matter in the race to the White House. If I were a republican, I'd be sure to vote for a candidate who at least gestured that the race for the presidency was a little more than how one plays the political game.

My crystal ball is in the shop, yet I can still see Giuliani being seen as a LOSER, based on his performance in the early primaries/caucusi. Strategy Schmategy – the stats will be repeated often enough that by the time HIS hand-picked primaries come around he will stastically appear to be unviable.

Rudy's strategy for the Republican primary is as brilliant as Huckabee's strategy of utilizing Chuck Norris to call other candidates "too old." Does Rudy seriously think that dragging Johnny Damon around Florida for 50 days talking about 9/11 will give him the one up on the other Republican candidates?

C'mon Jack.. Rudy Giuliani never had a chance and he knew it. He got a bunch of money donated to him so that he could have a nice winter vacation here in Florida. He goes around shmoozing the old ladies and avoids the cold NY weather while someone else foots the bill.

It's a foolish strategy. Aside from the delegates that he has ceded to his opponents, Rudy has allowed them to dominate the media coverage for weeks. Even when they concede in states they have lost, they have more exposure and free publicity than Rudy has been getting. Rudy's image, stump speeches, and campaign events have been essentially missing from political coverage due to his indifference towards Iowa, N.H., and South Carolina. In the modern media age with the 24 hour news cycle, that media blackout could prove fatal to his campaign.

I recall gym class back in high school. When we were sent out to the track to run 6 laps, many would spirit and some would jog. Those who spirited by lap 4 were tired, but those who steadily jogged by lap 4 are ready to spirit.

Sometimes you have to lay low, and wait until the others fall behind. If you stay a slower course eventually, you will beable to spirit for the win.

Maybe, Rudy has a good plan; yet, gym class is gym class.

Nevertheless, I feel he is the Republicans only hope at beating the Democrats in November.

Joe Licata Lodi, NJ

As I've wrote to you before, the solution for this whole primary process would be a national primary. Then, no one could "pick up steam" by winning a few delegates. Guliani did what he felt was best and if he pulls it off he will look like a genius, if not, a dolt. No one has told me why a national primary is such a bad idea.

I believe it is a big gamble on his part. He definately has the poker face. Rudy should concentrate on betting on the American people rather than playing the odds.

I agree that any candidate that feels my state is not worth coming to will not get my vote. You have to fight and convince me in order to win me because I am an Independent Pop! Most of all is this how he plans to run the country...picking and choosing what topics or areas he feels he can win and ignoring the rest? PLEASE we already have that sitting in the White House!

Who's to say, it's nice to know that Giuliani thinks a lot of my home State, but I'm sure a lot of people in the states he ignored don't think too much of him. I liked a just small bit of what I was hearing from Giuliani yesterday in regards to the judiciary and I would very much like to speak to him myself about that, but if any canidate thinks they can shuck and jive us Floridians, they've got another thing coming to 'em.

Not caring about the little states indicates to me that he won't care about the little people and instead only listen to those with perceived or real clout. Not much of a campaign platform.

the only reason why he is mentioned , because the press want so bad for him to win nomination , do you hear him talk? he have no ideas , no program , just the old 9/11 story..is over for him , sorry wolf & company...

It was absolutely wrong for Rudy to dismiss the preceeding primaries and caucuses to Florida as he risks creating a perception of ambivilance in those states that do not have the same panache as others. I fear those states blown off by Mr. Giuliani may remember thier absence "from his heart" during a General Election that he may (or may not) get to. I was a shoe in to for for Giuliani at the inception of the primary season, but his absence or lack of trying in those states gave him little coverage and allowed other candidates to pique my interest. Consequently I have become very interested in Mitt Romney.

Ken
Westfield, NJ

Jack

Yes, When you run for President, you run for President of the United States, not for just President of Florida, New York and California and the rest of delegate heavy states. Scrap the delegates and let the popular vote count all around. As a Presidential candidate you should be required to visit ALL 50 states, since ALL 50 states vote for President.

It sounds to me that Rudy is out for the Presidency for himself and not for the American people. Any candidate that would campaign in a state only because of the number of delegates is not someone I could trust or believe in.

But Rudy didn't ignore the early races, Jack. I recall reading each morning, way back in 2007, of the many Iowa and New Hampshire travels of the once-great Mr. Rudy Giuliani. The polls there, however, failed to reflect his demonstrated enthusiasm, so he tucked tail and ran, declaring his necessary Florida strategy to be but a cleverly planned one. Hooey.

I think Giuliani is behind in both Florida and New York and if you can't win your own state like what happened to Gore in 2000 it is time to get out of the race.

Giuliani is finito!

Bad Strategy, bad candidate. Looks like Judy will have to trade up again!

No, it was not a mistake. He was unelectable from the beginning and by choosing a later primary he has kept his campaign alive much longer than should have been possible.

Yes,. Why not elect a younger person just as competent? But the Number 1 question is: Will the American people replace Bush with another Republican hawk?

No. If Giuliani had campaigned in the earliest primary states, the rest of the country outside New York City simply would have realized that much earlier what a loon (even by New York City standards) he is. So his advisers served him well by keeping him out.

For a one-time front runner to think he can ignore the early states is arrogance. The others campainged thier butts off and because of that, made the race much more informative for voters in upcoming primaries to make an informed decicion. For him to blow off the traditonal election process makes me wonder what he will blow off once he's the president. The people of Florida shouldn't even elect him the dog catcher!

Jason
Berea, Ohio

How can anybody even vote for Giuliani when this is solid proof that he doesn't even care about us?

He's shown his true colors time and time again by neglecting to go to people's home states, look them in the eye, shake their hands and answer their questions. He just doesn't care about them. I can't wait to see him lose Florida and drop out.

Even Ron Paul has gotten second place in Nevada while Rudy remiains dead last in almost every state. I guess we see who REALLY "doesn't have a chance" after all.

If it weren't for 9/ 11 it would be RUDY WHO? He wasn't a good mayor, God forbid he was the President!

Leave it too late? Not at all, he's already shown the world that he is in sixth place in the Republican race, it's plastered all over web pages, the media, etc. There are so many ways to get a message out there today, to let your competitors get that far of a head start by not campaining in the earlier states just shows how bad judgement the man can make. The other candidates have the advantage. The proof? The day the other candidates show up in Florida, Guiliani goes from 1st to 3rd in the Florida opinion polls.

Giuliani shold never entered the race for President. He had and still has too many skeletons in his closet. Anybody who takes and misuses public funds for his mistresses does not deserve my vote. Keric is another example of poor judgment and bein able to grease his pockets. His ties to Blackwater just made me sick. The man is not trustworthy.

no I think it was brilliant,I dont think he ever really wanted to be president he just wanted to party in the sunshine with all the old gals on someone elses dime.Using this strategy allowed him to stay in for awile.

Someone needs to tell Rudy Giuliani that it's the United States of America and not the United States of Florida that elects the President of the United States.

We all know how much the MSM can sway the people. Rudy relinquished his front-runner status by waiting for Florida. I think it may be time for him to purchase a retirement home while he's there.

Why should anyone be surprised Rudy's down in the New York polls? He has alienated more people here than can cram into the 6 train during the morning rush. In other words: A LOT! And what's with the wierd electoral strategy (lose or ignore every state and then win in the end)? Say what you want about "Speak the Truth" McCain, "Aw Shucks" Huckabee or "Eddie Haskell" Romney, at least they had the guts and he respect to meet the voters of Iowa and New Hampshire face to face and ask for their votes in person. Yet with tons of money (apparently that's gone, maybe Kerik knows where it is?) and a solid organization, his campaign has made about as much progress as a cab trying to navigate midtown traffic during rush hour. – Paul Brandus, New York, NY

Rudy has made poor judgement calls for a long time. Maybe he thinks that is required to be President of the United States.

Jack
Guliani strategy tactics? I can't believe you media geniuses are still talking about him! Other candidates placing this low hardly got a mention in the media...Dodd, Biden, Paul. In fact, the candidates that are technically still running with low pole numbers are pushed out of the debates. I find this very disturbing why Americans should be concerned that big media seems to be controlling who may or may not run for president.

Jack,
I think Rudy's biggest mistake was entering Presidential politics. He's aready stated outright that he wants to further cut taxes for millionaires & billionaires. Is he insane? Doesn't he think 7 years of a corrupt, party-serving administration is enough?

JC,(Jack Carfferty)
It was not a mistake that Rudolph ignored the other states and moved on ahead to Florida. He was simply and is still being stupid. This is a national thing and he became frustrated when his true color started coming out and how deceitful he could be to the American people. Rudolph is stupid, he is not fit to lead anything in this world.(This country, his household, New York,etc.).
He has never being faithfull to any body he has come accoss , never. Rudolph is just the crooked person ever to stand infront of the American people wanting to be president. Shame on Rudolph.
Amstrokay,
Durham, NC

anyone else notice that when the "Driving Ms Judy" scandal broke, Rudy's campaigne TANKED like a mortgage bankers stock. I don't think that voters want yet ANOTHER Republican President that uses their position like some sort of 17th century royalty.

Rudy Giuliani’s political future is done. He should never have wasted good money spending his time in Florida. He should have stayed home in New York.

Rudy is just one big mistake, first he looks older then McCain, has played 9/11 until it is sickening . Uses "I did" more then old Shrub Bush eat up with self importance. We've had one of them for the past seven years, don't need another one

Rudy has nothing to say anymore. Why the media is still paying attention to him is beyond me. They should be paying attention to Ron Paul who has a REAL message. Rudy hasn't really competed in any primaries and i highly doubt he can win Florida. The only message he has is "I'm America's mayor. I was there when 9/11" happened. There's no way I could vote for a person that can run his family, and was stupid enough to put the city's emergency management authority into the World Trade Center after the '93 bombing. Many of the terrorist experts knew it was a matter of time before the Trade Centers would be targete again. Vote Ron Paul if you truly care about this country.

By staying out of the early primary states, those who didn't like him still don't, while the candidates in the spotlight continue to rise. He's running so low in the national polls, even in his home state of NY, an endorsement from Mickey Mouse probably couldn't save his campaign at this point.

Ask some New York Firemen, regular guys not the leadership, what they think of Giuliani. The few I meet tell me they were stopped from trying to help with the aftermath of 9/11. Giuliani, owed the police political favors so He wouldn't let the Firemen help, The police were given all sorts of overtime, and the firemen were not allowed to even volunteer to help, even though they have lost colleagues. Rudy helped organized crime clean up the nonconformist to the NEW CRIMINAL ORDER, he didn't clean it up, he just helped the Mob Bosses get rid of their, outcasts!

Would you for someone who doesnt care about a certain section of the country?
I guess it would depend if he went to your state or not.

I belive Mr. Guiliani is up to something. Think about what state, he is putting all his eggs in one basket. I am sure we will have some kind of controversy with Florida before the results are tallied. He seems overly confident for someone who has not done well. It would be George W. Bush all over again. What kind of CHANGE is that?

I think guliani stayed out of the early states because he knew he matched poorly with others, such as huckabee in Iowa. If he made an atempt, it would have made him look weaker than he currently does.

The fact is that Rudy brings nothing to the republican table.It is a disgrace that he continues to use September 11th as a way to convince that he "Rudy" is the right person to trust in running this country. HEAVEN HELP US ALL if this becomes reality.

Rochester,NY

RUDY go home, it may be a little confusing for ya, but where ever you consider home, I bet they don't consider you a good neighbor!

I believe Rudy made A horrific mistake by not campaigning in the early states, and national polls show it. Before the first primary Rudy was ahead nationally, then state by state primaries the nation only heard about McCain, Romney, and Huckabee. This put Rudy in the back of their minds, which ultimately tossed him at the bottom of the polls.

Florida Republicans who are supporting Rudy Guiliani are willing to forget "family values". He cheats on and divorces his wife and then marries his mistress. Now he wants to make her First Lady. Certainly not the kind of roll models I'd want occupying the White House and I'm a liberal.

mary
Palm Coast, FL

He had three good reasons to ignore the early races, first; most reasonable people agreed there would be no clear leader before Florida (and there isn’t today), second; if you are going to lose early on why bother showing up and last; in December and January it’s two for one, there are more New York voters in Florida than in New York so your campaign can touch base with both voters for the price of one.

HA ! It was a mistake for Rudy Giuliani to even get in the race.

I don't blame Guiliani for skipping these states, even though the strategy may not pan out. The primaries are inherently unfair. Where does the constitution say that Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina should always be given first crack at electing the next president? To be fair... States should DEMAND that the order of when the primaries are held should be determined by a national lottery and not by the stupid system now in place.

It was a mistake for Rudy Giuliani to even enter the race at all, Jack. He is a silly, silly man and belongs back in New York. Not as Mayor, but back on Saturday Night Live for another healthy beating from Will Ferrell.

It's a clear case of premature assumption that Super Tuesday will follow Florida and I think he's toast, Thank God. No other GOP candidates chills me to the bone like Giuliani and he does not represent the economic answers for this election. Oh and by the way McCain's not too old to be President but Chuck Norris is too old to be groupie!

His goose is cooked and being carved. If this is his election strategy, I'd hate to see his strategy for anything else. But, luckily, we won't have to. It's time for Rudy to take his mistress, oops, his wfe, his dresses and make up and head to Fla for good with the rest of the blue-hairs.

Has anynoe in Guiliani's campaign reminded him not to put all his eggs in one basket? His strategy to win Florida or else ... signifies a man with one-directional leadership philosophy that has not, and will not work for this country. Rudy might consider running for the governorship of Florida State in the future. I heard he doesn't like cold weather anyway.

Samson

Jack,
It is a mistake for any candidate to ignore any state. There are 50 of them and unless I've been misinformed, they all count. I live in Florida and I see more Romney ads on T.V. than Guiliani, so he can't be putting everything of Florida.

Rudy has been making poor judgements for a long time. Too late to stop now.

As a former New Yorker now living in Florida, I am pleased to see the New York Firefighters and their unions are here in Florida demonstrating against him and trying to educate and inform the Florida voters about Rudy "the bully' Giuliana.

Your question as to whether he made a mistake by skippiing the previous states and starting his campaign here, I say that not only it was/is a mistake, but he Giuliani himself is s political mistake. He is crude, arrogant. vindictive and egotistic. You may want to ask Police Commmissioners Kelly and Bratton and your reporter John about the man and his crude behaviour.

America surely would not want another character of the mindset of George W. Bush as President. I cannot wait to see his (Giuliani) campain crash here in Florida and he goes into political oblivion and continue his questionable and shady business relationship with his convicted criminal buddy, Bernard Kierick.

Maybe, just maybe in due course he too will be prosecuted with Kierick for their misdeeds.

Rudy blew it. i dont think that those voters in the other states are going to appreciate him snubbing his nose any more than i do, and i live in Arizona. Im not really for McCain but i think that you guys have hit the nail on the head with Rudy...his overconfidence is going to be his downfall. Im sure that he did great things in New York, however there are other states that a president needs to be attentive to.

I don't know why any one is considering a man with so much corruption in his back ground. Business as usual, I suppose. Why should Americans start learning now?

Jason Coos Bay, OR

Giuliani is playing the "Wheel Of Fortune" in politics, we hope he hit a Jackpot in Florida or else game over.
Ahmed
Maryland

Dear Jack,

Of course it was a mistake for Giuliani to ignore the early states. Not only was the decision ill-thought out it was the height of arrogance. While all the other candidates, on both sides, were working their respective you know what's off to show the people in those states they actually cared about what they thought, Giuliani just turned up his nose and said "I don't need you." He will pay for it in the end for sure.

By the way Jack, if you think there has been too much Bill Clinton on t.v. lately don't blame him, blame your own industry. Last time I checked Bill Clinton wasn't in charge of programming at CNN.

Hey Jack...If Rudy dosen't win in Florida it's over for him maybe he could be a running mate to John McCainf or Vice-President? Jacob Eureka,California

Rudy Guiliani's arrogance in waiting for Florida will fail. Haven't we had enough arrogance? Leah, NJ

It was a mistake for Rudy to ignore the early races, but what do you expect from a man who is from a city of over 8 million people and still managed to marry his cousin? I'm from the deep south and we got over marrying cousins sooo 150 years ago!

All the kings horses and all the kings men couldn't bring Giuliani a win whether he showed up early or late.

Is Rudy still in the race? I thought he went to Florida to campaign for a few days and decided he liked the weather so much better there that he just decided to call the race quits and retire there. I think come November of 08 someone is going to tap Rudy on the shoulder in Miami and tell him the race is over. That's how out of touch I think ole Rudy is.

St. Rudy of 9/11 would be more right if he avoided all of the primaries

Jack,
It's only a mistake if he loses Florida. Lets just hope he wins Florida, so we can muddy the Republican primary even more. RUDY RUDY RUDY !!!!

Robert
Fort Lauderdale, FL

Jack,

I know you have already posted the answers to this question, but it drives me crazy that the media keep buying into Rudy's claim that he ignored Iowa and New Hampshire. In fact, he campaigned quite often in the former and had more events in the latter than John McCain, the ultimate winner.

What Rudy did was campaign, discover that he wasn't doing well, (to know Rudy is not to love him), and then announce to the world that he was not contesting the state. And the media keep repeating his spin.

Can't you guys get your facts right or at least understand when you are being had?

Rudy = LAZY LAZY LAZY !

Jack
The best political team on television ought to recognize spin when they see it. The claim of the Giuliani team that skipping the early primary races "has been the strategy all along" is bunk. Giuliani spent millions in New Hampshire and held well over 100 events here. The team decided on the wait- until- Florida strategy after the late polls showed that Giuliani was going to have an embarrassing finish in New Hampshire.

I think it was very risky for Rudy wait till he got to Florida.

If Sun Tzu wrote the Art of Political Campaigning; Giuliani's part would be what not to do.... if he did put some effort into maybe one of the early ones like New Hampshire then I could see him doing good. But this I do not think will work, unless all the big ones we at the beginning.
-Jake

I live in Central Florida and I don't see Guiliani anywhere. No signs, no visits, no rallys. He seems to be concentrating on South Florida. Can you win a national campaign by winning one area of one state? I doubt it.

it was a mistake to run at all;
go ron paul

Hey Rudy, NO CUTS!! Apparently Rudy has adopted the Rosie Ruiz strategy for
running marathons. For those who don't recall, Rosie was the alleged marathon
runner who tried to steal the Boston Marathon in 1980 by jumping into the race in
the final mile. It is believed that she previously did the same thing in the New York
Marathon after riding the subway to the finish line. I believe that most Americans have
a fundamental sense of fair play and have little regard for those who avoid the work but show up to claim the credit for what was accomplished. I hope the Florida voters recognize Rudy's ploy and save their votes for the people who are running the entire race from start to their respective finish lines.

Rob Vukovic'

Rudy Giuliani's strategy error was entering the presidential race period! The FBI is waiting for him to enter a federal prison,since most of his criminal acts have been documented and uncovered allready. The years he will spend in jail will help him repent for his crimes and sins. I hope that he enjoys his time in Florida,where he will play cards with his Republican politician mob friends from Staten Island and Brooklyn,N.Y. They have the judges and criminal lawyers do their bidding,including abetting extorsion,money laundering,and loan sharking! Giuliani sei una merda!

Giuliani knew early on he wasn't "up to the mark" and used the "I'm waiting for FL" excuse. Don't let him fool you.

FL don't give him one vote. He is "using" you.

His whole campaign is a joke. What has he ever done in his life? He was the mayor of a city where a big tragedy happened. And people are blasting Obama for lack of "experience"...