Giuliani’s gamble?
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Rudy Giuliani is slipping in the state considered "crucial" to his presidential chances.
An average of three polls taken in Florida show Giuliani in third place. John McCain and Mitt Romney are neck-and-neck at 27% and 25%. Giuliani is way back at 16%... practically tied with Mike Huckabee, who gets 15%. It's looking more and more like Giuliani's dream of being president is headed for the scrap heap. Two months ago Giuliani was the prohibitive favorite in Florida at 38% to 17% for Mitt Romney and 11% for John McCain.
One pollster is quoted by the Miami Herald saying Giuliani has "virtually no chance to win in Florida." Another says, "If he can't make it there in Florida, he can't make it anywhere." Guess the words of that famous song don't always ring true. And Florida is winner take all…if you don't finish first you don't get a single delegate.
Giuliani's campaign, of course, disputes all this, insisting he'll win. He argues his message just needs a little more time to sink in.
It's really quite stunning. Giuliani was the national front-runner for months. In a decision that strategists will probably talk about for years to come, he chose to virtually ignore the early states. Huge mistake. He goes into Florida 0 for 6 in states that have already voted. And, apparently the people in Florida don't like a loser, either.
If Giuliani loses in Florida on Tuesday, it could be the beginning of a collapse that will go down in history… since he won't have the momentum going into Super Tuesday. You know, kind of like he hasn't had any momentum coming out of Iowa, New Hampshire, Wyoming, Nevada, Michigan or South Carolina.
Here’s my question to you: What went wrong for Rudy Giuliani?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Delane writes:
To quote Joe Biden; "A noun, a verb, and 9/11." Best analysis of Rudy since he joined the race!
Michael in Fountain Inn, South Carolina:
Rudy's problems began the day he decided to run. He was always perceived as a single issue candidate, and unfortunately for him, that issue wasn't the economy.
Ed writes:
Jack, Rudy was known initially as a solid crime fighter and, most including I believed, a political moderate. But then he went pro-Bush, pro-Iraq war, and hawkish to the right side of the bald eagle (pun intended). That's when I wrote him off - we don't want another Bush rubber-stamp clone.
Jon from Tempe, Arizona writes:
Giuliani had the deck stacked against him. The arcane process that we have for primaries in this country put all of the states that Giuliani could not win ahead of him. I honestly believe if we would have a national primary in this country Giuliani would have been the nominee.
David writes:
Nothing went wrong. Just like any election, the voters get to know the candidates. Rudy is not a likeable person, he has no foreign policy experience, and he is a horrible speaker and debater. The Republicans have no one that fits the bill exactly, but he came up short time and time again.
Alain writes:
Too bad. He should have seen that little cartoon about the turtle and the rabbit. The one opportunity the States had burned to a crisp.
David writes:
Rudy mistakenly believed after 2000 that Florida determines who the president is instead of campaigning in the other 49 states.
@jackcafferty on Twitter
the only person here who should be worried about gambling on anything is McCain. he owes 100,000's dollars to las vegas casinos for his gambling problems
RUDY!
Giuliani's no dope, Jack. He is banking that we will get so tired of hearing the bickering and pandering of those "front line" candidates that he will get the last hurrah as the country unites behind him. I have heard too many predictions that went flat (remember New Hampshire?); I'll wait until we jear the results in the Florioda GOP primary before making the final call.
He placed his bets on where to participate in the wrong places – While he was positioning the american people were deciding – That with the fact he is not the wonder boy of 9/11 coming to lite puts him out of the race.
He simply screwed up. I am glad he will not be our next president, if this is the way he runs a campaign just imagine how he would have run our country.
What went wrong for Rudy Giuliani?
He underestimated the American voter and America is not ready for his liberalistic visions.
As Mr. Biden said, Rudy's entire campaign platform was "a noun, a verb, and 9/11." Over time, people wised up to this and realized he has nothing to offer. Now let's just hope he drops out before Super Tuesday so he won't take any votes from the real candidates.
What is there to like about Giuliani? He lies about everything, protects illegal immigrants, rides a national tragedy for momentum, cheats on his wife using taxpayer's money, supports the Real ID Act and looks like Nasferatu after a stroke. It boggles my mind that he has as much support as he does.
Well, I think it started when all of the candidates went west to Iowa – and he went south to Florida. Who was out to lunch when that decision was made?
Remind me not to gamble with that guy.
Jack,
Iowa, New Hampshire, Wyoming, Michigan, and South Carolina Jack. His "so-called" Florida strategy is working so well if he hurries up Fred Thompson can help him with the door that seems too have closed on their bid to be the President.
Once he came south, he started attracting "circle flies". You know, the kind that horses and cows are always ficking at with their tails!
Jim
Prosperity SC
Rudy knew he wouldn't ring true for the centrists and more faith based population in the Midwest, not to mention the evangelical south. He also knew Mitt would be the hometown favorite in MI, and stood no chance in NV, so he figured he would try to hit the big win in Fla. where many New Yorkers are retired and be able to make up the delegates he "passed on" in the earlier primaries and caucases thus being able to catch up in the race with a lot less work. Trouble is, many people don't like being ignored or considered unimportant enough to be passed by in lieu of bigger fish. It shows it's all about Rudy and winning, not about the people in this country. That attitude will put Rudy in third place next Tuesday. When all the dust clears and the Fla. primary is over so too shall be the bid of Rudy for President..
Jack
Rudy took a chance and lost, he should have been there in Iowa, New Hampshire, Vegas and South Carolina. To put all his focus on Florida and think that this will put him back on top was foolish, The other canidates with their hard campaigning in the opening round paid off and left Rudy in the dust.
Rudy and Thompson should run under their own ticket, TheLets Wait and See Party.
Giuliani Who ??
Giuliani and McCain represent a more moderate wing of the republican party, unlike Romney, who is at the far right conservative wing. Remember when McCain was the next successor to Bush? Well, when Giuliani entered the race, he established himself as the more moderate candidate, and as a result McCain fell off. But now that Giuliani has decided to skip the early primaries and go right to Florida, those moderate and independent voters have gone to McCain. And, because his best issue is national security and Iraq, something Giuliani touts over his impressive economic record, the national security voters have gone to McCain. Rudy is the reason why "Mac is Back!"
Easy. First he ignored the early states sending a signal that he only cares about what he thinks will help him. Second, he spent enough time in Florida for those folks to really get to know him for the sham he is.
Giulili forgot the rest of the country. Why should Florida be expected to support someone with such a narrow view.
Rudy's problem is simple: Romney, McCain and Huckeby haven't dropped out. As soon as they due just watch how Rudy rises to the top.
He can't manage. It's a blessing in disguise because now we can see the kind of job he would do as president. His talk about economics is hogwash, but a big improvement over McCain's I'll cut government spending during a recession and make it worse. Want a recession? Raise taxes, raise interest rates, reduce the money supply, CUT government spending. What is rocket science about this John?
Maybe Florida just got too tired of "all St. Rudy all day long"... We can only hope.
I think the "Driving Ms. Judy" scandal showed Rudy's true nature. here's a multimillionair Mayor using NYC public funds to chauffeur around the woman he was cheating with while he was still married to his second wife. I doubt that the "Moral Majority" voters are going to be very interested in voting for a candidate with Rudy's obvious lack of ethics or morals.
the whole incident points to his obvious arrogance and we have just gone thru seven plus years of Presidential arrogance with another 361 days until that finally ends.
he got into the race.
scott missouri
This is what happens since they started way to early to become president. The only one that will remain standing is Mitt Romney cause he has millions of dollars to spend out of his own pocket. What does it say when the Republican party is not ponying up money for their candidates? They don't like none of them either.
Isn't it obvious, Jack? Rudy's virtual nomination by the media didn't give him any delegates. The mere idea of a Republican nominee who is pro-abortion and pro-gay rights in 2008 is still quite absurd. Of course, many feel it is equally absurd that a black or a woman could actually be President. Why don't we all stop speculating until after Super Tuesday? Just kidding! If I felt that way I wouldn't watch your program. Peace and Ron Paul!
Easy you can't put all your eggs on one basket. Or count your chickens before they hatch etc. He put to much in at florida and now everyone is looking at the other candidates for office seeing if there is something better around the corner with something else.
Jack,
Even the people that supported Giuliani got sick and tired of hearing about 911 and Godfather Rudy's evil ways...
Vinnie
Giant New York "EGO"
L.M.,Arizona
Giuliani's initial approach to his campaign was911( not to disrespect him from his hero image.He is a hero).Then there the allegation that he used tax payer's money to transport his girlfriend around town.He has limited support from the evangelicals and has liberal ideals.His focusing on Florida almost exclusively (doesn't he feel the rest of the country needs to see his campaign? ) makes for low following.
Only residents of Florida can vote in this race. All the republicans that only live there in the winter or are visiting can't vote in this primary. Besides Jack, it ain't over until the Fat Lady sings and Pollsters were wrong in New Hampshire too. Lets wait for an official result until we blow the ink dry on Florida.
Rudy's problem is that he knew he couldn't win over regular people, so he gambled on Florida being his great chance. He was counting on transplanted New Yorkers carrying him there. He thought that his poll numbers would stay high on the national level. He never dreamed that 3 other contenders would set themselves above him before Fla. Because now he's even going to lose New York also.
Being able to interject the phrase 9/11 into every possible occasion is hardly a key qualification for being president. It just took a little bit of time for the public to realize that was all he had to offer.
Jack- What went wrong with Rudy Giuliani. He put all his stakes into Florida and that is a state with the highest number of retired Firefighters and when Firefighters know where the Fire is located, that is where they will attack the base of the fire to put it out, and Giuliani's Fire for the Presidency is almost Extinguished.
Guliani waited too long. Now peopl realize his claim to accomplishment on 911 is lacking in substance.
Rudy kept tooting the 9/11 horn, and finally and thankfully, the "Battery" is dead. So is the Bronx and Brooklyn and Jackson Heights and Jacksonville.
What went wrong for Rudy? Let me count the ways: (1) He is no Statesman; he's not "Presidential," and it shows. (2) From “Mr. Mayor “to “Mr. President” is a HUGE leap, and people have begun to realize that. (3) He'd have a hard time defeating ANY of the front-running Democrats, whether it be Hillary, Obama, or Edwards, for that matter. (4) He’s not really all that articulate, and we’ve had enough of that with GW, thank you very much. Last but not least, (5) “Where’s the beef?"
Jack,
Mayor Giuliani thinks he will win florida but I got bad news for him no way will he win, He mentioned 9/11 way too much in his campaign, even though people think that 9/11 was a tragedy he is using it to remind the american people which they are trying to move past this part in our history. Mccain and Romney will more likely be the victors in the state of florida they are for hope and optimism.
Jack,
Rudy may have done a little better if we didn't hear "9/11" everytime he opened his mouth but his associations with corrupt scum, the security detail for his side dish plus stating outright that he wants to further cut taxes for the folks who pull in the most cash yet pay the lowest percentage of tax doesn't give me the "warm fuzzies".
Giuliani is a one trick pony. It seams that he felt all he had to do was say "9/11" and America would sweep him into office. Too bad, so sad.
Well Giuliani, 9/11, is not as mainstream, 9/11, as he would like to think. Maybe just maybe 9/11 the politics of fear will be gone with him 9/11.
Rudy , Rudy who? Only invisible voters vote for an invisible candidate. Which leads to invisible delegates. But if he campaigned and finished 3rd or higher in at least 3 states - well, that's speculation. Let's see who he attacks tonight at the debate ? Debate - should he even be invited to the (MSNBC) debate?
I think Rudy's Florda vacation is coming to an end. What a disappointment...don't know what he did wrong but we pretty much know what he didn't do now don't we.
I think he shot "craps".
Even New Yorkers who live in NY don't want him...what makes him think New Yorkers in Florida would be any different?
Rudy's finished. The surge of McCain's numbers are staggering. To think how easily the pundits dismissed McCain is telling. The neo-cons hate him and the conseratives don't trust him. I think the Republicans are in total free-fall.
I think Giuliani did himself in on 'Meet the Press' when he was asked if the President's mistress should get secret service protection and instead of saying the president shouldn't have a mistress, he said, "Of course she should." For someone running for President of the United States, to say that is just plain nuts.
Mr. Giuliani forgot that there are fifty states in this country, not 5-10. Citizens of small states do not like being snubbed, and they'll let you know it.
What makes you think Giuliani went wrong? Do you have a crystal ball or something? Lets wait until the results are in. This is a one winner take all race. As long as you people are talking about him he isn't out of anything. How many times have you talked about Fred Thompson today? NONE. That’s because he isn't important now and Giuliani is. Stop closing the doors in these candidates faces Jack. You and the polls were wrong in New Hampshire lets not make you look really stupid by doing it again in Florida.
It's really simple. Guiliani ignored the early voting states. A very very stupid move, and he'll be washed out of the election pretty quickly now. McCain will probably take the nomination. Guiliani is a Class A Idiot – if you can't even figure out you need the early states to win you should no be leading the country. Besides McCain is a real war vet, not some smuck who happened to be governor during 9/11. Rudy didn't do anything special, he just did the job he was supposed to back then.
I think that people finally figured out who Rudy is!
Jack Hillary isnt in my opinion entilted to run for president as the constitution says you can only hold office for two terms. If they follow the letter of this she shouldnt be in this race and I would suggest a constitutional authority look at this. They as one held office for two terms. If they want to continue to attack Barack and spread falsehoods I would suggest Barack note the pardons the clintons gave at the last minute to a person who then gave a lot of doe to his library. I am independant voter in south dakota and if Barack doesnt win I would look to Ron Paul if he ran as a 3rd party candidate.
Rudy has demonstrated that he doesn't care about the voters but only about winning. The voters are now demonstrating that they din't care about Rudy.
Maybe if we wouldn't say 9/11 in every other sentence and actully had a real healthcare plan people would take his candidacy seriously!!!
What wrong for Giuliani? Arrogance. He counted on name recognition and 9/11 to carry him into the White House, ignoring the conventional wisdom that you really do have to campaign in early voting states. In many respects he was just as lazy about this process as Fred Thompson was. Thompson is out. Giuliani is next.
Rudy has a huge ego and did not realize that he needed more than his "leadership" experience in New York City to qualify for President. He should be ashamed of himself for trying to capitalize on the 9/11 tragedy and use it to propel him into the White House. Rudy does not show any real understanding of the important issues regarding education, the economy, housing, and the Iraq war. I think his shaddy business dealings and vindictive past actions would disgust most Americans when they are spread by a national campaign. Good riddance Rudy!
THINKING HE WAS PRESIDENTIAL MATERIAL IN THE FIRST PLACE.
He was a terrible mayor and voters know he would be a worst president than bush
Rudy Guiliani's only claim to fame was he happened to be mayor of NYC when it was attacked. Nobody dwells on the fact that he was the reason for many of the deaths as he didnt have communications that would work between the firemen and the police. He also put the command center in the area that was already targeted by the terrorists. Besides he has little respect for the common man, thought he could ride on GWB's coattails and win, but he held on to them for too long and ended up as unpopular as our president.
A little time, please, he's been here this whole time. He's depending on former New Yorkers, to put him over the top, they moved here when he was in office to get away. I don't think it's gonna work.
What went wrong is that people actually found out more about Giuliani as time went by and realized that he's no where near qualified to be president. In the beginning he was essentially running on his name recognition and "experience" and "leadership" on 9/11, but once everyone realized that his pseudo leadership on 9/11 was actually extremely poor and learned more about his positions compared to the other candidates, his depth-lacking campaign took a big nose dive. And his claim to be the "president that will keep us safe" has been exposed as baseless due to his little to no foreign policy experience coupled with his staunch readiness to start another war at the drop of a hat. We've had 8 years of that kind of leadership, we certainly don't need anymore with Mr. Giuliani.
Nothing went wrong. He has not lost Florida yet. There are no clear front runner and there will not be until after "Super Tuesday".... and guess who will be the last man standing? Giuliani.
Days of post 9/11Popularity which made him media darling are gone – Now this is election time and guess he has nothing to offer and could not make an impression of sincere politician, if he had something to offer then he would have been the # 1 choice of media and the people subsequently.
Guiliani appears to be going down and we wouldn't hear much about him anymore after this election madness is over.
What went wrong was that people woke up and realized what a frightening place the world would be with Rudy as president. He would make Bush's policies seem rational. Invade Iran anyone? Did I mention 9/11?
His early lead was entirely due to name recognition. He never had solid support. Early polls are essentially meaningless.
The more the voters learn about Rudy, the more they question his judgement and moral background. For some period of time, many voters thought he was the Mormon candidate because he has 3 wives.
The 9/11 tragedy has faded from many folks minds and he was always a one-issue candidate.
Rudy was smart in his assumption that the GOP field would be split amongst the first few primaries; the Republican Party is lost after the failures of the Bush administration, and as much as they'd like to find one candidate to rally behind, no one seems strong enough to represent core republican values. But for that same exact reason why his idea was smart, it is leading to his demise; he gave the voters enough time to seemingly come behind one candidate (McCain). Without any support from any of the first six primaries or caucuses, no one has the faith they once had in him four months ago. He was never a lock to win the nomination, but now he is a lock to guarantee not being on the ticket in November.
Giuliani went wrong all over the place. Most of it goes back to his arrogant attitude: I saved the world after 9/11; I'm so revered by the former New Yorkers in Florida that I don't have to care about any primary but the one in Florida; I was the greatest mayor New York has ever seen, so much so that they almost extended my term beyond the term limit. My happiness is the only thing that's important, so I'll announce publicly that I have a new girlfriend before I tell my wife.
Sleezy hothead Rudy was doomed from the get-go.
He does not have what it takes to be a president. If you ask me non of the repuplican candidates will be able to fix bush's mess.
Putting all his eggs in one basket didn't work. He always mentions Ronald Reagen in every other sentence. Not too original. Boring.
I never understood why Guiliani would forego the early states – to do what...watch the primaries on television in the comfort of his own home? I think America has taken a great interest in this year's election. Voter turn out has increased for primaries and people care. The first debate in Iowa was not just a get together to impress a bunch of farm boys but it was a nationally televised event – Guiliani was missing. I have followed a lot of the early election coverage and on the Republican side there have been 3 names that came up over and over: Romney, McCain, and Huckabee – how many times has the name Guiliani come up in the past few weeks? I wouldn't be surprised if people even know he is still running!
Besides, skipping the early states leaves a bitter taste in the mouth of not only the citiziens of the skipped states but to all Americans. While I am sure Guiliani is serious about his bid for presidency but is there a better way to appear lazy and not caring to the American people?
Guiliani has been exposed as the empty shirt he always was.
The publicity about those trysts with his mistress, now his wife, and how they were paid for by the taxpayers of New York in security costs sent him running to Florida and staying out of the spotlight elsewhere it seems.
Surely if republicans say they cannot call Bill Clinton a respectable character because of the Lewenski affair ,then they will not be able to support such conduct on the part of these two characters and vote put them in the white house.
Rudy should have stayed home
The man is very cabable but has no charisma. You have to be able to identify with people. Like Clinton reachin out to women and Obama reaching out to a younger generation.
While Guiliani remained off the media radar for weeks, strong defense conservatives flocked to McCain, while economic conservatives drifted to Romney. Social conservatives love Huckabee, which leaves Guiliani with only 1 remaining constituent – FoxNews pundits.
I think all of the unpresidented attention that the early primaries have been given hurt Mr. Giulliani. The race between Clinton and Obama is must see TV every night. I am a Republican who feels whichever candidate makes it out of the democratic side will easily win in November. It's not tsunami Tuesday which will seal Mr. Giulliani's fate, it has been tsunami Clintbama which has done the job. Unfortunately, I think the GOP and its candidates have been underwater since Iowa.
What went wrong for Rudy Giuliani? Rudy Guiliani. The guy is quite simply not likable. The more the people of Florida have gotten to know him, the less they've liked him. There wasn't much to like in the first place – perhaps a better strategy for him would have been to say, "Remember me? I was the mayor of New York City on 9-11," and then just sit quietly and nod.
Rudy aka Mr. Ego went wrong with Rudy. "Nine eleven; Ronald Reagan this, Ronald Reagan that"; and worst of all, he thinks he can do everything that the others cannot. He lost my respect after the first debate.
Lynne
By ignoring earlier states, Giuliani has demonstrated he doesn't care what it America thinks he only cares about winning. Ignoring the earlier states signals that he's not interested what a cross section of different Americans have to say but what people with power can do for him– in this case the number of delagates in FL, leaving all the previous states with the impression of being left out "Planet Giuliani".
Giuliani only cares about winning, not about America. We don't need another bully president who's ego blinds him and will only listen to people who agree with him. We need a president who will listen to ALL Americans.
Giuliani should NOT be considered for public office ever again.
What went wrong? Jack, what a softball question!! Rudy oozed arrogence from the minute he entered the race, emphasized that arrogence by thumbing his nose at the early states- which it is now apparent voters in later states pay attention to. Arrogence turns voters off (Bill Clinton- are YOU paying attention???) and Rudy is about to get his come-uppence.
We are currently testing the hypothesis of whether the country is ready for a testosterone driven White Male for president. The results are in - we are not ready for "George W., The Sequel"!
Giuliani is done. Being ahead of the polls for so long and falling from grace is nothing new, ala Howard Dean.
Giuliani can not be ( he is not that smart) the first candidate ever to come up with this strategey: ignore the small states and concentrate on the big one. There is a reason it has not been done. IT DOES NOT WORK.
Talk to me after Tuesday election!
Its simple Jack, in grade school if you didn't do your homework, you failed. Ron Paul gave Rudy some homework to do and he failed to do it. The American people better wake up and look at the road ahead. If we are so worried about the economy folks need to start listening to what Ron Paul has been saying for over 20 years. America First, Restore the Constitution, Bring our troops home, and put the power back in the hands of the people.
As a NYC resident who lived through the Giuliani regime, I believe the rest of the country has finally begun to see what New Yorker have known for many years – the truth about Rudy. On 9/11 Rudy did his job – nothing more – nothing less. Yes he appeared in command and control during a crisis – especially compared to the response of some like Ray Nagin during Hurricane Katrina – however the question must be asked – what exactly did he do then and afterwards that showed true leadership? Most New Yorkers know Giuliani as an egotistical blowhard who hampered race relations, publicly cheated and disrespected his wife and associated with felons and cheats (Bernard Kerik). I am happy that everyone can now see the truth of "America's Mayor."
Here's what's wrong with Rudy's campaign – The American people have finally wised up and can see through the politicization of 9-11. Rudy's made a career out of 9-11 fear mongering, let's hope it ends in Florida.
Jack,
What went wrong? He listened to bad advice! He tried to play out a untested strategy and it has come back to bite him! As you said, he has no momentum, and it seems most of the country has forgotten all about him! Even if by some miracle he did win Florida, would it propel him enough to win big Super Tuesday? I guess we'll find out next tuesday!
I don't know if he was trying to be slick or lazy but I think he blew his chances by not getting involved and working hard like all the other candidates have been. This will be one for the history books..what NOT to do..when running for office.
Nothing went wrong for Rudy. THe media is a self-appointed sooth-sayer that hasn't got a clue what the public is thinking. The media decides to annoint a candidate, and then when that candidate fails, the media acts as if it is the voters that got it wrong. Sharpen up, guys! Your're supposed to report on what is happening, not try to create the event!
How can Rudy claim to have the desire to be president of the UNITED States, and basically "pass" on competing in 6 states. I think his strategy reflect his biggest flaws – judgment and arrogance. (See Bernie Kerik.)
Hey Jack,
I can tell you what went wrong with Guiliani–he is a politician of opportunity. The opportunist in our society is looked down on (and sometimes rightly so) because they seem to get their foot in the door at just the right time. In a country where the word 'democracy' means everyone is equal, people see him as one of the little people who just happened to be in the right place at the right time. That is seen as unfair–after all, if I had the media coverage he had back in 9/11, and was seen as someone who did a lot to help the country in a particularly scary time, I could be running for president too, right?
Guiliani, unfortunately, really is an opportunist, and you also have the rock stars Clinton and Obama taking up all the media time. The people that should be getting the most attention should be people that don't waste time with taking shots at each other and bickering over what their words really mean. Edwards, Romney, McCain, and even Ron Paul should be getting that attention. Politicians like Guiliani and Huckabee, and even Fred Thompson, simply have started running because for a moment they got some attention and decided to take their act on the road. They are opportunists, and have no business running for president.
In a strange way Rudy played his hand the only way he could. If he had invested all of his time, energy and money in Iowa, NH and Michigan and lost in all three, there would now be a lot of pressure on him to drop out of the race (ala Fred Thompson). But by "purposely" ignoring those states, he was able to buy himself more time in the race. I'm sure he was hoping the Romney, McCain and Huckabee campaigns would stumble during the last couple of weeks but unfortunately for him it didn't happen.
New York City is about its people, New York is about firemen running up tower stairs as people ran down, Rudi didn’t rescue NY, the people of New York did, and we knew it. Now everyone knows it.
The answer to your question Jack .... "What went RIGHT for Rudy Guiliani?"
I really like Rudy Giuliani and I was curious to see how this strategy would work. It is obvious that this strategy is not at all effective but his strategy is one I want to work because I don't like the authority Iowa and New Hampshire hold over the entire process. Giuliani's strategy is progressive and will hopefully inspire more candidates to focus on a more national campaign. He is a better candidate than these result have shown.
Jack , I'll tell you what happened to Roody Kazoodie. His whole personna as "America's Mayor" was built on quicksand.Roody couldn't have been elected dog catcher in New York, had it not been for 9-11and when you really stop and think about it, what the hell did he do THAT day that anyone else in his posistion would not have done ANYWAY? Thank Rupert and the Foxhole boys for trying to build a foundation on a house of cards...Good riddance
Jack,
Guliani has an inflated ego and a political platform to the right of Attilla the Hun.
Its all about war, 9/11 and more war. Thank goodness he is losing.
Terry
What went wrong with Giuliani? He ran on nothing except 911 and he really doesn't even have that. Walking around in the rubble with a mask does not qualify one to be a President because if that were true, then Bush standing on the rubble with a bullhorn would have made him a president and we know where that went.
Hopefully he will NOT be the candidate. I am so tired of his 9/11 Mayor of America attitude. Don't you think almost anyone in that position on that day would have been able to play the hero?
a comment left by Kevin is ridiculous. On what basis does he have to make that comment. Not that I am a McCain supporter or anything, but that's really retarded.
This man IGNORED the residents of 6 states, as if they didn't matter. We've already been through 7 years of that kind of President. His attitude just represents 4 more years of the same. Really bad plan, Rudy .
Jack, I knew (12) of Rudy supporters among my friends now he has one, due to the fact of his lack of effort, the debates don't cut it, he needs to at least fight like the Hill and Obama or talk like Ron Paul, just do something. By the time (if he makes it here to California) he's going to start from scratch..it would be nice if he makes it. John McCain is so like OLD NEWS.
The Idea,setup and follow through just about Everything,
Actually really what has went right in his "so called" campaign.
Im a transplanted Yankee living in Florida, We are voting for Ron Paul.
You're calling this too early, Jack. Remember 80% of the Republicans in Florida are not religious wackos and vote socially moderate or liberal. I hope the Republicans in Florida are true to themselves and vote for Rudy. I am a liberal voting for Hillary because she has the most experience and we are in a HUGE mess and going down. Having a non-biggoted opponent to run against would give America a chance at something besides hate and would shut the religious influence down, it's been so good for us. Women need their reproductive safety net and gay people should be treated the same as everyone else. They are religious but not like Jesus, the exact opposite.
Jack
Is he still in the race?
Simple: HE LEFT NEW YORK
He made the same mistake as all the other candidates: running for President.
It just shows that Rudy is really nothing more than a 1-Trick Pony and the 9-11 trick doesn't work anymore. It worked twice for Bush but its not going to work a 3rd time for Rudy.
What went wrong? He's Guilliani, that's what went wrong. Kicking homeless people out of New York? Yeah, that's just not moral and people aren't forgetting that.
What went wrong with Rudy? Can you spell a-r-r-o-g-a-n-c-e???
The more people get to know Rudy the less they like him
the more they came to see that he was a small man in search of a balcony
thats what went wrong
Giuliani's extreme arrogance struck out! He's just another guy like Thompson who thought he could stroll through the door and take command of the place when he hadn't even paid admission.
What went wrong with Rudy Giuliani? Rudy Giuliani !!
Jack:
one answer Jack... arrogance....
What went wrong with Giuliani?
More than anything else, Americans everywhere remember that he's a twice-divorced, adulterous cheater. We don't need a man like that in the White House, we don't want him in the White House, and we're not going to have him in the White House.
what went wrong for giuliani was presciently stated by joseph biden months ago: a noun, a verb, and 9/11.
What went wrong with rudy?RUDY.
Gulliuani only made one mistake in his political campaign.........he ran.
Entering the race in the first place was what went wrong. That, and the decision to rely solely on Florida. But heck, if he want's to stay in Florida he's more than welcome, he and "Grandpa" McCain can go ahead and retire here.
To quote Joe Biden "A noun, a verb, and 9/11." Best analysis of Rudy since he joined the race!
What went wrong with Rudy Giuliani? That's easy: Rudy Giuliani. People finally began to pay attention to him and realized that he is extremely difficult to like.
This is a great example of strategy gone bad. I'm not sure if old Rudy was certain his controversial claims about his 9/11 heroism somehow would stick in the early states leaving him plenty of time to spend in Florida. Maybe he just wanted to get a tan.
What went wrong for Rudy Giuliani?
He got into the race and thought because he was taking up space in NY on 9/11 he was going to be able to float into the White House.
He is about as good for this country as another Clinton.
Giuliani's Problem- Arrogance- Pure and Simple. I'm in Florida, his campaign stops do nothing more than increase the population of folks who DON'T like him. The man doesn't stand a chance.
My mama always told me not to put all my eggs in one basket! Guess his did not!
Nothing went wrong. Just like any election the voters get to know the candidates. Rudy is not a likable person, he has no foreign policy experience, and he is a horrible speaker & debater. The rebublicans have no one that fits the bill exactly but he came up short time & time again. The real question? What made ANYONE ever think Rudy would make a good president?
Giuliani's Problem is two-fold:
1) He did not brazenly change his position on all of the major social issues before running for the Republican nomination
2) He did not have enough money to self-finance a race in all 50 states
Perhaps Rudy has no control over #2 but I suppose he could have tried #1.
We know at least one candidate who's still standing in the GOP race who's arguably only standing because of the two items above. Millions may not respect Mitt for it but at least he's still standing.
What went wrong? HA! People started to see that this hopeful emperor also had no clothes. Most of us living in NY under his reign knew he wasn't presidential material. Remember, this is the guy that built the command center in the World Trade Center after being warned it was a target. DUH! Imagine what he could do on a national level.
Jack
What went wrong for Rudy? in a word ARROGANCE !!!!!
You just said it. He ignored 6 states and now his message is being ignored.
Jack, I think Rudy is, at heart, a quitter. When he ran into more resistance than he expected in his New York Senate race, he quit (using his health as an excuse). When Iowa and New Hampsire started looking bad, he quit. When the states prior to Florida looked bad as well, he quit. His quitting out after this primary will be superfluous.
Rudy's problems began the day he decided to run. He was always perceived as a single issue candidate, and unfortunately for him, that issue wasn't the economy.
Michael
Fountain Inn, SC
Jack,
Rudy was known initially as a solid crime fighter and, most including I believed, a plotical moderate. But then he went pro-Bush, pro-Iraq war, and hawkish to the right side of the bald eagle (pun intended). That's when I wrote him off - we don't want another Bush rubber-stamp clone.
Ed Mier
Wait. Whats a Giuliani?
Jack,
To paraphrase a quate by Joe Biden " Rudy's campaign basically consists of one thing, "Noun, verb, 9-11" It ain't enough!!
Monique, New Brunswick
Giuliani had the deck stacked against him. The arcane process that we have for primaries in this country put all of the states that Giuliani could not win ahead of him. I honestly believe if we would have a national primary in this country Guiliani would have been the nominee. Making Iowa and New Hampshire first does destroy a lot of candidates. Incidentally, this comment is coming from someone who was born and raised in Iowa.
The American people have heard and seen enough of this one trick, four syllable fascist wannabe: nine-e-le-ven, one page tax form, new york mayor...enough. I hope Ron Paul scores higher. I just wonder when the media will censor him from the debates for polling so low
Someone forgot to mention to Rudy what "CAMPAIGN" means...
The trouble with Rudy is that in his own mind, he was going to win.
As the old saying goes, "Egotism is nature's compensation for mediocrity.
What went wrong with Rudy? Easy, Jack.
He opened his mouth, and all that came out was 9/11.
While the rest of the nation was ready to move on, Rudy stayed behind in his glory days.
Rudy, you're way out of touch.
Dana
North Carolina
I don't think anything in particular has gone wrong with Mr. Giuliani's campaign, per se. I see the problem with his fourth, albeit still unofficial, marriage to September 11th. It is OK for someone to highlight times in which their leadership was tested and they excelled, but when you make one of the most catastrophic events in American history the backbone of your campaign, then you run the risk of alienating many people.
Cameron Yearty
Mercer University
Jack,
My answer is "what exactly went RIGHT for him". Other than doing what any normal American would do during 9/11...stand up for the American way of life....let everyone know we will make it....etc..etc...other than that he needs to just bow out gracefully...hmmmmmmmmmmm...can he do that? Does he need to run it by his wife first?
Diane Offutt
Woodstock, GA
Hi Jack
Nothing went wrong for Rudy Giuliani. He's running for Vice President. If he can deliver Florida he's on the ticket. eh
Doyle
Canada
He was the wrong candidate at the wrong time and the wrong place. Running to the right of the neo conservatives when they have been discredited would be a hard position to win on.
What went wrong for Guiliani?
Judy and an over dose of 9/11. His personailty doesn ot help either.
Jack, I'm pretty sure Rudy thought that it only took winning the vote in Florida and the Supreme Court to become the next president.
Jack it is quite simple, he opened his mouth.
Hey Jack,
What went wrong with Rudy's campaign? Simple. Rudy!
The more you see him the less you like him. He'd have been better off playing commercials of 9/11 over and over with the words "Vote for Rudy" superimposed on the screen (hey that sounds like the commercials he's running now!). At least then people wouldn't have seen how little he actually knows about..well..anything.
9/11, 9/11, 9/11! Thats all we've heard from him for over 6 years now. He used this tragic event for his own political gain and the american people have seen right through him. Please mr. Gulliani, fir a new horn to blow.
What went wrong???? What did he do right.....?! Instead of talking about the issues like the democrats are at least attempting to do, all Rudy does is talk about national security, and his part in 911, when it was he who moved his headquarters into the twin towers(which was a bad move!) now he's an expert on security because he happened to be there on 911? How about some real issues Rudy!!!!
Mr. Giuliani does not seem to understand that this is NOT a game...it is an election for the President of the United States of America. His strategy was flawed from the on-set because we are not cattle and can not be herded according to his calculations. I hope he is humbled by Florida's new polls...and drops out!
America doesn't need him.
-Edith
Nothing went wrong with Rudy's campaign. He trully is that bad of a canidate. Have you ever listened to him.
No one has mentioned it, but I suggest it is his surname: it just doesn't "fit" in the list of presidents. We as a nation are not ready for a "ethnically diverse" presidency. This also spells doom for the Senator from Illinois, but no one will admit it.
That is an easy calculation – it was 9//11/01 and not 9/11/07
He thought that since NYC was attacked on 9/11 that made him tough against terrorism, and thus the country would vote for him. He was a horrible Mayor and would have made a horrible president. We as a country need someone who will address the real issues. High gas prices, the housing market, the economy. He's just not the one.
It's not that shocking Jack: When he went south to Florida instead of north to Iowa and New Hampshire he lost the media. You guys in the media love to say you just report the news but the fact is – you help MAKE the news. Rudy is simply out of sight and out of mind with most voters.
Maybe Rudy should've taken a few pitiful jabs at poor, frail Saint Obama. That seems to be ticket toward getting attention from you guys. Apparently bad attention is better than no attention at all.
Rudy's campaign was flawed from the beginning as he continued using 9/11 for political purposes to tout his 'so-called' national security credentials. Then, like an idiot, he decides to skip the early states in favor of Florida. With ideas like this, imagine what he would have been like in the White House. He's his own worst advisor. Good bye Rudy. Bye bye.
Rudy went wrong when he implemented his, "I was the Mayor of New York City on 9/11" campaign strategy. When he spent 50+ days in one state, the people were able to realize 9/11 is his only campaign pitch, and that he has nothing else of any substance to talk about.
What went wrong for Giuliani Jack was his own behavior. Many people recently became enlightened by Vanity Fair magazine's article"What Guiliani Doesn't Want Voters To Know,"(Jan.2008) and another expose in the Jan.7,2008 The New Yorker magazine. These articles have All that Florida voters need to know about Rudy.
I have always thought that Guiliani was just working on his company. This "campaign" has been an enormous shot in the arm for his security consultant business. Think about the publicity. Think about the money.
It's a gamble that I think Giuliani has badly lost, but I don't think he was wrong to make it. Iowa, which ultimately gave its caucus victory to an evangelical midwestern governor, Mike Huckabee, would never have considered a liberal New York Mayor. Rudy's unpopularity in the Northeast (which we haven't heard much about so far), would have precluded winning in New Hampshire, and losing there, in the region that pundits would have considered Giuliani's back yard would have stopped his campaign in its tracks. Giuliani played a bad hand well, by staking his claim in Florida. If it wasn't for McCain's resurgence it might have even worked. Giuliani would have had a monopoly on the moderate vote, and strong claims to the national security and retired New Yorker vote.
Although I loath Giuliani, I am sorry that his defeat is going to be interpreted as a defeat of his unorthodox campaign strategy. I have long been irritated by the outsized influence that Iowa and New Hampshire hold over the primary process. I think McCain has done a lot, both in 2000 and this year to dispel the notion that Iowa really matters. A victory for Giuliani in Florida could have upended the whole biased system.