Thursday, March 8, 2007

Rudy Giuliani Takes Strong Lead

The latest USA Today/Gallup poll has Rudy Giuliani in a commanding lead over nearest rival, John McCain as preferred Republican nominee.

The poll of 424 Republican and Republican leaning voters between 2 and 4 March, Giuliani was preferred by 44% of those surveyed, compared with just 20% for John McCain. This is an increase from Giuliani's 40% in the same February poll, and he has been tracking up since November, which had him at 28%, just 2 points ahead of McCain.

Newt Gingrich came in third in the poll on 9%, with Mitt Romney increasing his rating from 5% in February to 8% in the latest poll.

Giuliani's favorable rating has dropped 2 points, but is still a massive 64%, with only 21% of those surveyed having an unfavorable opinion of him.

Sunday, March 4, 2007

Newsweek Poll Has Giuliani Well Ahead

The latest Newsweek poll has Rudy Giuliani in the lead of all major candidates, from both parties as the preferred President.

In a head to head contest with John McCain, Giuliani leads 59%-34%.

And in a contest between any of the 3 leading Democrats, Giuliani leads Clinton by 1 point, John Edwards by 2 points and Barack Obama by 3 points.

The poll was conducted between February 28 and March 1 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4%.

Saturday, March 3, 2007

Giuliani Profile in Newsweek

The latest missive from Newsweek published today, entitled "The Real Rudy Giuliani". It's a profile piece, a long read, but definitely a good one.

Newsweek
March 12, 2007 issue - Rudy Giuliani had been speaking for six minutes before anyone in the audience thought to clap, which was exactly the way he wanted it. Talking to a political crowd in North Spartanburg, S.C., last month, the former New York City mayor and 2008 presidential candidate was not there to excite but to warn; he was less interested in making political promises than he was in sketching out the perils we face. He spoke in the hushed tones of the day that marked him for history, September 11, 2001, his voice barely filling the somber setting—not a hotel ballroom or a church basement, but a firehouse, festooned with American flags.

America's struggle was far from over, Giuliani warned the crowd. The terrorists who tested the nation that morning were still plotting to destroy its spirit. He wouldn't even use the word "if" to talk about future attacks: "I think probably the way I have to say it is, when we're attacked. That's the only way we're going to be safe." The crowd remained silent. "We're going to be in this war for quite some time," Giuliani concluded. "Not by our choosing, but by theirs."

His remarks were dramatic, which was fitting, since Giuliani has always been a man of drama, always thriving at moments of crisis. Growing up in the Long Island suburbs of New York in the placid 1950s, he would close the door to his bedroom and listen to Italian operas, in which each song contained a challenge, a confession or a choice. As a college student he read the words of Winston Churchill, perhaps dreaming that he, too, might one day feel as though he were "walking with Destiny." For a pudgy, Brooklyn-born undergraduate at Manhattan College, his aspirations seemed somewhat outlandish. Sometimes they still do. In his daily interactions, Giuliani can be arrogant, abrasive and imperious, an average-size man trying too hard to prove himself a giant.

But when the crises come, Giuliani has proved to be big enough. New York City was crime-ridden with a dwindling middle class when he became mayor in 1994. By the millennium, the city was safe, swaggering—and the envy of much of the nation. On 9/11, with the president hidden from view, "America's Mayor" steeled the country by speaking the terrible truth: "The number of casualties will be more than any of us can bear." Now, with the war in Iraq in chaos and Al Qaeda still unvanquished, he is pitching himself to Republican primary voters as the man destined to steady the party and the nation in a time of trial.

More...

Sunday, February 18, 2007

Rudy Giuliani in Richmond

Rudy Giuliani was in Richmond, Virginia last night at a fundraising dinner for his campaign for the nomination. Although Giuliani has repeatedly said he is running, he is still yet to actually officially announce....yes, we are still waiting for the fanfare.

Giuliani said that he will not be doing any more guest speaker engagements, which are reportedly earning him up to $100,000 a piece. He said that it was time to devote himself entirely to the campaign.

The function last night was well attended by social conservatives, the hardest group for Giuliani to win over, given his moderate stance on abortion and gay rights. But Giuliani last night indicated that he wouldnt hesitate to appoint conservative anti abortion justices to the Supreme Court if he became President.

Friday, February 16, 2007

Giuliani on Larry King

King - "Are you running or not?"

Giuliani - "Yeah, I'm running, sure"


Wednesday, February 14, 2007

USA Today Poll has Giuliani in Lead

Rudy Giuliani has overwhelmingly taken the lead as preferred Republican nominee in the latest USA Today Gallup poll, taken between 9-11 February.

And in even more positive news for the Giuliani campaign, his favorable rating amongst Americans has gone up to a massive 66%. This is up from 62% in January, although not yet near the 77% high he received in the same poll in December.

On the preferred nominee question, Giuliani leads John McCain 40% to 24%, with 425 Republican and Republican leaning voters surveyed. Behind them are Newt Gingrich on 9% and Mitt Romney on 5%.

And on the question of preferred President, Rudy Giuliani leads Hillary Clinton 50%-48% and Barack Obama 52%-43%.

65% of people surveyed thought that Giuliani would make a good President - the highest rating of any of the candidates.

Giuliani is Running for President

Rudy Giuliani has tonight confirmed that he will be running for the Republican Nomination for President.

Giuliani was speaking tonight on CNN's Larry King Live. He had filed a Statement of Candidacy last week, and over the weekend in California strongly hinted that he would be in this for the long haul.

He said tonight that he believes that he can make a difference and that America needs leadership

On Monday, Giuliani said that he was 100% committed to running for the GOP nomination.

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Giuliani Is In 100%

From the San Francisco Chronicle today. Rudy Giuliani seems to be doing everything BUT making the formal announcement. It's a slow drip feed...

Carla Marinucci - 2/13/07

Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, insisting he is "100 percent committed" to running for the 2008 Republican presidential nomination, wooed Silicon Valley's tech leaders Monday -- saying he "definitely'' believes in global warming, praising Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger for being a "progressive'' leader on the environment and calling for immigration policies that welcome "people who make contributions" to America's economy.

Giuliani spoke to about 500 members of the Churchill Club, a Silicon Valley business leaders organization, at the Hyatt in Santa Clara Monday, meeting privately beforehand with a handful of top tech executives and then with about 100 potential supporters at a VIP reception before an hourlong talk to the crowd, where he was warmly received as a leading presidential hopeful.

"I am 100 percent committed'' to running for the Republican party nomination for president, he told the crowd. "I still have to do a formal announcement -- but we'll figure out how to do that.''

Poll Has Giuliani Leading in Texas

A poll by Baselice & Associates has Rudy Giuliani leading the race as the preferred Republican nominee in Texas.

Giuliani leads John McCain 28% to 26%. Third in the poll was Newt Gingrich on 17% with Mitt Romney who announced he was running for President today, sitting on only 6%.

The GOP primary in Texas will be held on March 4, 2008, on the same day as 9 other states.

The poll was conducted about 3 weeks ago, and surveyed just over 500 likely Republican voters.

Giuliani Campaigns in Fresno

Rudy Giuliani made a campaign stop last night in Fresno, California. (Go Bulldogs)

Giuliani has spent the weekend campaigning in California and addressed the State GOP Convention on Saturday. Today he was in Santa Clara, speaking to a business group at the Hyatt Regency.

Rudy Giuliani was last night at a house fundraising party, at the home of Jerry & Paula DeYoung. A ticket to the event cost $2,100.