Category: Giuliani, Rudy | Main

Giuliani: Sad to Leave Race; McCain 'Best Choice'

January 30, 2008 5:00 PM

ABC News' Jan Simmonds reports:  Former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani told reporters during a flight from Texas to California this afternoon that he was disappointed not to stay in the Republican race but that he was proud to be supporting Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.

"It's disappointing to lose a race for president because you believe you're the best candidate, but I had made it clear before I had to make this decision who I thought the other best candidate was," said Giuliani.  "I think I made it clear during a debate that if I had not been running, I would be supporting John McCain. So I'm not running, and I'm supporting John McCain and he is far away the best person to be the commander in chief of the United States."

Giuliani, who has confirmed but not officially announced that he is dropping out of the presidential race, is expected to formally declare his intentions and endorse Sen. John McCain later today at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, the site of this evening's GOP Debate.

"It has great significance to do this at the Reagan Library, for me and for John McCain," he said.  "And Ronald Reagan had a high regard for John McCain.  John McCain also sees Ronald Reagan as his hero.  So we share that very much in common.  Obviously it is fortuitous that we can do it there,  since the debate is gonna be there tonight."

Giuliani said he did not know who approached whom about the endorsement idea, but that both campaigns had been talking for some time about the possibility if the results in Florida turned out as they did.

During the days leading into the February 5 Super Tuesday contests, Giuliani said he plans on stumping for McCain, likely in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and possibly California. 

"I offered that to him and he said he would like us to do that," he noted.

During his chat with reporters, the one time national frontrunner admitted that his risky strategy, of focusing on big delegate states and while being less competitive in the smaller earlier states, was not the right course.

"Obviously the strategy didn't work.  So we're going to go back and try to figure out why," he said.  Giuliani continued, "I believe, although I haven't had the chance to review it, it was...the only strategy available to us.  Could we have done it in a better way?  We'll think about that."

Asked why he was supporting John McCain and not any of the other GOP candidates, Giuliani said he was convinced McCain was the best choice. 

"This is not a why not Mitt Romney or Mike Huckabee. I admire both men," Giuliani explained. "I went through a unique experience with them for a long time. I have grown to respect them. I am convinced that John McCain is the best choice for president of the United States."

Will Giuliani run for public office again?  He said it was too early to tell, but that he planned to remain active in both the private and political sectors.

"I'm not thinking about public office right now. I never make 'never' statements. I found in life, when you make a never statement, you could still change your mind, but you have it up on YouTube nowadays," he said with a laugh.  "All I can tell you is my intention is to be in private life. I am gonna give some thought to exactly how."

January 30, 2008 in Giuliani, Rudy, McCain, John, Vote 2008: Republicans | Permalink | User Comments (7) | TrackBack (0)

Giuliani to Drop Out, Endorse McCain

January 29, 2008 8:57 PM

ABC News' Jake Tapper and Rick Klein Report: Rudy Giuliani will board a plane to California on Wednesday morning, as planned. But, sources tell ABC News, once there, instead of participating in the GOP debate, he will drop out of the presidential race and endorse Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.

Giuliani came down to greet supporters at the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel in Orlando. Responding to a friendly cheer from the audience, Giuliani laughed and quoted "that famous philosopher Yogi Berra, 'It's not over until it's over.'"

But it appeared over.

"Like most Americans, I love competition. I don't back down. . . but there must always be a purpose," Giuliani told supporters as his poor third-place showing became clear on the widescreen TVs. "Elections are about a lot more than candidates."

Negotiations between the two campaigns had been ongoing as Florida returns came in, with ABC News and other organizations projecting a McCain win in the Sunshine State.

"We ran a campaign that was uplifting," Giuliani said, not officially leaving the race but speaking in the past tense. "The responsibility of leadership doesn't end with a single campaign."

Giuliani has made clear throughout the campaign that if he weren't running, he would most likely be supporting McCain for president.

January 29, 2008 in Giuliani, Rudy, McCain, John | Permalink | User Comments (30) | TrackBack (0)

Giuliani Cites Hillary Success As Inspiration For Florida Victory

January 29, 2008 2:37 PM

ABC News' Jan Simmonds reports:  At one of his final campaign stops in Florida on Tuesday, Rudy Giuliani surprisingly looked towards Hillary Clinton as inspiration, pointing out her come from behind victory in New Hampshire as evidence that he could do it too.

"Hillary Clinton was suppose to lose by 7 or 8 points, she won," said Giuliani. "So if you go out and vote, it can make a very big difference in this.  There is plenty of time to vote."

Asked about the future of his campaign, Giuliani was hesitant to look beyond today. 

"We're focused on winning here, today.  That's our focus," he said.  "We're very comfortable with the early vote, we think we did very well."

"And we are not going to entertain any hypotheticals," he added. "That would make no sense in trying to get out a vote.  We want to make sure that we say to people in Florida, 'Do not listen to the polls, look what happened in New Hampshire.'"

Finally, at the press avail outside a sandwich shop in Del Ray Beach, Florida, reporters took another shot at having Giuliani predict his future.

"We're headed for California tomorrow, absolutely," he responded when asked if he would be in California tomorrow for the Republican Debate scheduled there.

January 29, 2008 in Giuliani, Rudy | Permalink | User Comments (7) | TrackBack (0)

Giuliani Says The Test Is Florida

January 28, 2008 1:13 PM

ABC News' Jan Simmonds and Rick Klein Report: Former mayor Rudy Giuliani, R-N.Y., staked his political future on Florida, casting his political fate with New York transplants and a few million other voters, as the Sunshine State sheds light on a scattered Republican field in the last contest before the primary campaign goes national.

"We are going to win today -- and then of course, if we don't win, we figure out another strategy. But the idea is to win today, and to turn this thing," Giuliani told Robin Roberts on ABC's "Good Morning America" on Tuesday. "I think we're really going to surprise people."

Giuliani said he's counting on early voting to have come through big for him -- and said he still thinks the Florida gamble was worth it.

"The reasoning was that this was the state where we would have the chance to do the best, given my positions, given the pros and cons, given the resources we had, it would be better to apply them to a state this size," he said. "If you contemplate defeat, you're going to have defeat. If you contemplate victory, you give yourself the best chance of winning."

Giuliani is committed to Wednesday's Republican debate in California, but it feels like the end is near for Rudy -- the lackluster crowds, the devastating quotes, the serene, almost resigned demeanor of his staff.

Flying from Sanford to St. Petersburg, Florida on Monday morning aboard his first ever campaign press plane, Giuliani touted Florida as test he will pass.

"We realize that this is the place where we have to test ourselves - where we have to test our campaign. It was the best choice given the realities that we had," said Giuliani. "We're going to win here."

Giuliani continues to express optimism, even as some begin to write his presidential political obituary.

"I believe we're going to win. I believe that our early voting strategy was a very good one. We have every indication that it was, and I think our positive message will appeal greatly to the people of Florida."

At two stops at Florida airports on Monday, the crowds have been light and the enthusiasm, at times, tempered. But outwardly the campaign and its candidate feel that by the end of the day, when all the votes are counted, they will prove the skeptics wrong.

January 28, 2008 in Giuliani, Rudy, Vote 2008: Republicans | Permalink | User Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)

Giuliani: Negative Campaigning Causing Primary To Descend To Clinton/Obama Level

January 26, 2008 6:48 PM

ABC News' Jan Simmonds reports: "Some of my opponents are engaging in negative campaigning, using words like dishonesty. This is the thing that our primary will descend into the kind of thing that Senator Clinton and Senator Obama had going on," said Rudy Giuliani this evening at a press availability in Orlando.

"So I'm gonna try and remain positive, we're gonna talk about the things we can do for America, the things we can do for Florida. And I think that is going to be the winning strategy in Florida."

For the past two days, the former New York City Mayor has been playing "mister nice guy", trying to stay above the fray in the back and forth between John McCain and Mitt Romney.   

"The reason that I am being positive is I believe that is the way to win," added Giuliani.  "It seems to me we sorta got that message when we say what happened in Iowa with Mike Huckabee.  I think the American people are sending us a message.  They want us to be positive."

When a reporter tried to see if Giuliani would pick sides, Giuliani declined.   

"We gotta get above that, so I'm not going to get involved in that back and forth," Giuliani said when asked whether agreed with John McCain that Mitt Romney should apologize for his remarks earlier this year about the surge.  "I think what we should talk about is what is our position on Iraq.  My position on Iraq, and it has always been, you've all covered me from the beginning of this campaign, it was the same now as it was in the beginning, our goal in Iraq is an Iraq that is stable and an Iraq that acts as an ally."

Through it all, the former Republican national frontrunner said he still believes he would win on Tuesday despite slagging poll numbers saying, "Florida will pick me and I believe they will pick the next Republican candidate."

January 26, 2008 in Giuliani, Rudy | Permalink | User Comments (5) | TrackBack (0)

Giuliani Says While McCain and Romney Bicker, Obvious Choice Is Himself

January 26, 2008 9:44 AM

ABC News Jan Simmonds reports:  Rudy Giuliani dove head first into the argument between John McCain and Mitt Romney this evening, saying that while those two argue over the faults of the other he is the candidate who can bring the best of both worlds.

“I’ve been listening today to some of my opponents attacking each other.  Gov. Romney is attacking Sen. McCain as being a ‘Washington insider’, with not enough expertise and understanding in economic matters.  And Sen. McCain is attacking Mitt Romney for being a manager, not a leader, and lacking experience in foreign policy and national security,” said Giuliani to a crowd of about 500 in Sarasota, Fla.  “The choice is clear, Floridians deserve someone who has been tested and proven in both areas.  And that’s me.”

Giuliani went on to point out that he is the only candidate to have experience in economic growth, taxes and having the responsibility for the security of millions of people.

"When Mitt and John were facing the choice of lower taxes or higher taxes, they each chose higher taxes. There is a fundamental difference in how we look at a growth economy," said Giuliani.  "I have also had the safety and security of millions of people on my shoulders.  I know what it means to carry that responsibility and to face acts of terrorism. So I say to the Republicans in Florida, you should vote for me because I am the candidate, when it comes to tackling the biggest challenges, that has had experience, been tested, and has had results in both areas, you don't have to chose one or the other.  If you chose me you can have them both."

Following his speech to the Republican Party of Sarasota County Lincoln Day Dinner, Giuliani did back away slightly from his comments made moments before.

"I'm not buying into their criticisms of each other,” Giuliani noted to reporters. “I'm saying, this is what they're saying about each other. In both of those areas, I have strengths. It seems to me I am the perfect candidate for Florida."

Possibly seeing the rise of John Edwards’ poll numbers in South Carolina, which some analysts believe may be a by-product of the infighting between Democrats Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, Giuliani is now trying to differentiate himself to voters by staying above the fray.  In the past though, these direct contrasts by Giuliani have been fleeting and usually not followed up on. 

With only three more days till voting begins it will be interesting to see if this is a final push for Giuliani to become part of the political dialogue or rather a one time shot across the bow.

January 26, 2008 in Giuliani, Rudy | Permalink | User Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)

Giuliani: Extra Time, Early Voting Makes Difference In Florida

January 25, 2008 1:15 PM

ABC News' Jan Simmonds reports:  Touting his efforts to get Floridians out to the polls to take advantage of early voting, Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani said that he believes that those efforts may make the difference in the end.

"We'll have to find out how it went on the 29th," Giuliani said of the votes already cast.

"But we campaigned more vigorously during that period than anyone else and I think we will get our fair share of that vote. And now what we are doing is trying to get our vote out," he added. "We know we have a very good organization here, we've been putting this organization together for quite some time."

According to the campaign, over 30 percent of the GOP absentee voters and over 30 percent of the GOP early voters in this primary did not vote in either the 2006 or 2004 state primaries, so there is a high level of new voters participating in this year's process.

It's unclear who those voters chose to check off on their ballots, but the campaign is betting that their being in the state weeks before their opponents will make that difference.

The former New York City Mayor stopped at a nutrition center in Little Havana this morning to speak to a crowd of mostly Spanish-speaking Cubans. With the assistance of a translator, Giuliani explained his long history of involvement within the Cuban community and asked them to go to the polls for his candidacy.

"I think I have the longest relationship with the Cuban community, going back to the 1980's at least," said Giuliani following the event. "I have done many things with them outside the political context. I think they realize that. I understand them and appreciate what they have done, personally."

Constantly being pressed by reporters about what he will do if he loses Florida - a state he has gambled so of his candidacy on - the one time Republican national frontrunner responded by saying that losing was not even a consideration at this time.

"Well my goodness, two or three days before an election you don't talk about what happens if... You talk about winning the election," he said.  "These people who you see today want me to win this election, and this is a turnout election, so the enthusiasm the people have has a lot to do with that.  So we are gonna talk about winning the election. We're positive we are gonna win, we are sure that these efforts are gonna work."

January 25, 2008 in Giuliani, Rudy | Permalink | User Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)

Giuliani: Campaign Will Go On

January 24, 2008 2:40 PM

ABC News' Jan Simmonds Reports:  Following a rally in Boca Raton today, Rudy Giuliani said he has no plans of dropping out of the Republican race for the nomination if loses Florida on January 29th.

"I"m going to continue my campaign.  I have no plans to end my campaign," said Giuliani.  "Of course I anticipate winning Florida, because I don't go into a campaign anticipating losing.  I have no reason to not anticipate winning."

Talking about recent polls that show the former Mayor in a distant third, Giuliani touted his candidacy as still very competitive. 

"We are very, very competitive.  In some polls very, very close," Giuliani added.  "In some polls, we even had a poll where we were first.  We've been second to, second to Mitt Romney, second to McCain.  When you look at these polls they are all over the place.  I think we are in good shape here and for an election that is as fluid as this, we got a very good chance."

The Giuliani campaign released two ads today in Florida, both touting his record as a fiscal conservative and his support for the National Catastrophe fund.  The campaign feels that these issues will generate support among Floridians and likely will be the difference if they are able to pull out a win.

January 24, 2008 in Giuliani, Rudy | Permalink | User Comments (8) | TrackBack (0)

Giuliani Takes Tax Plan to Congress

January 23, 2008 6:30 PM

ABC News' Jan Simmonds Reports:  In an attempt to push his tax plan into immediate action, Rudy Giuliani announced today that a congressional delegation has taken up his proposal and will introduce
it as a bill in both houses of congress.

Giuliani said his plan would be "exactly the right kind of stimulus for our economy right now."

"It would be a positive one, an optimistic one.  It would paint a picture that America is growing," the former New York City Mayor added.  "I do think however it should be combined with some significant programs for reducing civilian government spending."

The bill, entitled the Fair and Simple Tax Act (FAST Act) has several Republican House members as its co-sponsors including Rep. David Dreier, R-Calif., Republican Whip Roy Blunt, R-Mo., and Republican Chief Deputy Whip Eric Cantor; the Senate version of the bill is being introduced by Senator Kit Bond, R-Mo.

Among the steps the current version of the FAST Act takes is the creation of an optional single page Tax Form that, among other things, cuts down the number of tax brackets to three from the current six.

FAST would also eliminate the death tax, adjust Alternative Minimum Tax for inflation, reduce the capital gains rate from 15 to 10 percent and reduce the corporate income tax rate from 35 to 25 percent.

When asked what Giuliani would do to help the bill get approved by congress he said he would be guided by the congressional delegation for how he can assist.

"A lot of it are my ideas, they may have some ideas of their own. It's really their legislation," Giuliani said.  "I would kind of say I sparked it.  That my ideas are the core of it.  But they may have ideas of their own.  They may have strategies of their own about how to get this done."

The campaign is hoping that a mix of his tax plan and his support of the National Catastrophe Fund will help push him to a win in Florida.

Speaking at his last event of the day in Fort Myers, Giuliani touted his chances there.

"We're gonna surprise everyone and we're gonna win big," he said. "Florida  is gonna catapult us to the nomination."

January 23, 2008 in Giuliani, Rudy, Vote 2008: Republicans | Permalink | User Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)

Giuliani Touts Permanent Relief As Method To Boost Economy

January 22, 2008 1:14 PM

ABC News' Jan Simmonds Reports:  While the markets were tumbling in New York Tuesday morning, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani took an even-keeled approach to the nation's economic crisis. 

A recent Giuliani television advertisement touts that the country as having an "economy in peril," but today the presidential candidate did not seem to have the same gloomy view.

"I think all you do is react to the facts. I don't think you put adjectives and qualifiers on it," said Giuliani, following a campaign stop at Toojay's Gourmet Deli in Palm Beach Gardens, Fl. "I think you react to the fact. I think it says the Fed has to deal with the monetary policy and the federal government has to deal with the fiscal policy."

Regarding monetary policy, Giuliani said the country needs a  "very, very strong stimulus package," hinting that he would like to see one that went beyond what President George Bush has already laid out.

"I'd like to see permanent relief. I mean making permanent the Bush tax cuts, reducing the corporate tax 35 to 25% is what I recommended," he said, adding that the capital gains tax needed to be cut also. 

"What we are trying to do is, it would seem to me, is to make America more competitive," Giuliani said. "I think you see when markets react like this that America exists now in a competitive global environment and therefore everything we do has to be viewed from that perspective."

Giuliani noted that one thing which has not been discussed which he thought would be helpful would be a "spending reduction program." 

"They [the federal government] could announce cutbacks in the civilian agencies," he explained. "Each agency could be looking for ways to make 5 percent, 10 percent cutbacks…we used to do that in New York City, when there was a prospect of some kind of downturn."

Once the Republican national frontrunner, Giuliani is now in the fight of his political life in Florida.  These maybe difficult times for his campaign, but the former New York Mayor has chosen to routinely not harp on his Republican opponents.

"I don't believe that Republicans should be attacking each other. I think we should be pointing out our policy decisions," Giuliani said when asked about his hesitancy to directly state differences between himself and his opponents. 

Following his response, he noted one difference was that he supported Bush's tax cuts while "John McCain voted against them" and "Mitt Romney was equivocal on them."

Giuliani made that charge for the first time over the weekend - specifically calling out McCain and Romney on the issue - but has since departed from mentioning his opponents by name on most occasions. 

His surrogates and campaign staff though have been more blunt in their criticisms, specifically of McCain. 

Yesterday Giuliani's Florida State Chairman Bill McCollum, who is also the attorney general in Florida, called McCain "out of touch" for not supporting the National Catastrophe Fund.

When asked if he agreed with that assessment, Giuliani said, "No, I agree with the assessment that I gave. I am the one who supports it and I think people have a right to evaluate it that way."

Trying to pull Giuliani into a greater dialogue on McCain, another reporter asked if he thought the Arizona Senator's age was an issue. Again, Giuliani did not take the bait, saying, "I think John McCain is carrying on very good with his campaign.  I don’t see that as an issue."

January 22, 2008 in Giuliani, Rudy | Permalink | User Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)

Giuliani Pleads: 'I Wanna Ride a Pace Car!'

January 21, 2008 3:29 PM

ABC News' Jan Simmonds Reports: Republican presidential candidates have wooed so-called "NASCAR voters" for years, but GOP candidate Rudy Giuliani took it to the next level Monday at the Daytona International Speedway, pleading with officials to let him ride in a pace car.

It all started with an impromptu campaign stop at the famous track. The former Mayor sat in the front passenger seat as his campaign bus took a lap around the empty track at high speed. Music from the movie "Rudy" blared from speakers.

But when it was all over, Giuliani, who is staking his campaign on Florida, was riding high and wanted more.

"Can I drive a pace car?" Giuliani asked a race track official.

"Sorry sir," he said, "we gotta get you to the Town Hall, we got people waiting."

"I wanna ride the pace car!" Giuliani said, looking disappointed, his voice rising angrily.

"Next time, next time," the official said.

Giuliani didn't give up.

“All right, well let’s come back one more time,” Giuliani said. “During the campaign, I wanna  ride a pace car! Will you let me ride a pace car? Do I need a license for that?”

The officials wouldn't budge. Dejected, Giuliani looked at a mother and son, standing nearby.

He tried one last time.

"One time, boys. One time," he pleaded, his voice whining. Walking away, Giuliani smiled and said, "We're all little boys, don't you know that?"

Watch the video HERE.

January 21, 2008 in Giuliani, Rudy, Vote 2008: Republicans | Permalink | User Comments (14) | TrackBack (0)

Yankee Backs Giuliani, While New Struggles Arise

January 21, 2008 11:31 AM

ABC News' Jan Simmonds reports: With a new poll released this morning showing Rudy Giuliani down in his home state of New York to emerging frontrunner John McCain, Giuliani looked to his favorite baseball team to give his campaign a boost.

New York Yankee Center fielder Johnny Damon took the stage at Giuliani's first event today in Orlando, Florida, and announced his endorsement for the former New York City Mayor.

"Rudy has done such a great job for New York," said Damon.  "After the terrorist [attacks] he made New York closer, he made America closer and he is gonna make this country a better place.”

While seeing Damon brought a smile to Giuliani's face, a new numbers showing John McCain with a 12 point lead in New York likely did not do the same. According to a Siena College Poll, the reborn candidacy of John McCain has the support of 36% of New York Republicans compared to 24% for Giuliani and 10 % for Mitt Romney.

The Giuliani Campaign has been touting for months that the tri-state area was practically a sure thing for their candidate, but recent polls have shown Giuliani down in New Jersey and Connecticut in addition to today's New York poll. 

The numbers put Giuliani in a very difficult position.  Already in a fight for his political life in Florida, if Giuliani were to survive the January 29 Sunshine State Primary he now will likely have to devote time and energy to his home field states, taking away from the amount of time he can spend in the multiple other big delegate states up for grabs on February 5.

January 21, 2008 in Giuliani, Rudy | Permalink | User Comments (6) | TrackBack (0)

Giuliani Calls Florida 'Microcosm of the Country'

January 20, 2008 11:10 AM

ABC News’ Jan Simmonds reports:  Rudy Giuliani again touted his Florida strategy this morning during an interview with "This Week’s" George Stephanopoulos, calling the Sunshine State a “microcosm of the country.” 

“It's a large state.  It has virtually every, you know, diverse group that you can think of in different parts of the state, different economies in different parts of the state, different industries,” said Giuliani.  “This is a state that reflects America to a large extent, and we know this is the state that determined our president in the year 2000, so it's a state that's also very politically aware.”

Turning to economic issues, Giuliani was asked if he thought President Bush’s economic stimulus package was a good move considering its short-term, $140 to $150 billion plan of tax rebates for people who pay income taxes now.

The former New York City Mayor was not ready to endorse the proposal, saying he needed to see all the details but did note that in concept it was a “good idea.”   

“The concept is a good idea,” he said.  “The president has only put it out in concept.  As a concept, I think it's one worth pursuing.  But now, it's got to get negotiated with the Democrats in Congress.  Let's see how much that concept moves, you know, to something else.”

During a rally appearance yesterday, Giuliani drew contrast with his Republican opponent John McCain by pointing out that the Arizona senator voted against the Bush tax cuts twice.

“John voted against the Bush tax cuts, I think on both occasions, and sided with the Democrats,” Giuliani repeated to Stephanopoulos.  “I have great respect for John.  He is a very good friend of mine.  But in the area of fiscal conservatism, I think I'm the strongest fiscal conservative in the race, and I have had experience in foreign policy.”

McCain, who has already picked up at least two newspaper endorsements in Florida, is looking to be Giuliani's chief rival there as they fight over the support of similar voters.

January 20, 2008 in Giuliani, Rudy | Permalink | User Comments (22) | TrackBack (0)

Rudy Calls Out McCain and Romney on Bush Tax Cuts

January 19, 2008 7:42 PM

ABC News’ Jan Simmonds reports:  At the mega Florida retirement community, The Villages, today, Rudy Giuliani did something he has shied away from this entire campaign.  He called out his fellow Republicans John McCain and Mitt Romney, by name, for failing to support the Bush tax cuts.

“I supported the Bush tax cuts,” said Giuliani. “John McCain voted with the Democrats against the tax cuts twice.  And Mitt Romney did not clearly support the Bush tax cuts.  Now, I clearly supported the Bush tax cuts for a very simple reason -- because I had done the same thing several years earlier.  I had done the same thing in New York.  I knew it would work. I knew it would work to grow our economy.”

While not using the harshest of language, Giuliani has been vigilant in his efforts to not go after his fellow Republicans unless they went after him first.  He told ABC News' George Stephanopoulos in December that, as a rule, he does not "criticize" fellow Republicans.

"I try to follow the rule, if you attack me, or attack my record, and then I have to explain it.  And in the nature of explaining it, [if] I have to point out that your record was weaker in that area than mine, then I will do it," Giuliani said.

"But if you don’t attack me, I have no right to attack you.  I mean, there’s no point in that."

This change is a significant one, since Giuliani and his campaign now appear ready to put the gloves on and get into the fight.

Asked at a press avail following The Villages rally, Giuliani acted as if the change in rhetoric was not a big deal.

“I just pointed out where there were differences,” he said, repeating the lines he gave during the rally, adding that Romney was “equivocal in his support.”

In recent weeks, Giuliani has been an afterthought in the minds of most Americans, sitting on the sidelines while his competitors battled it out in Michigan, South Carolina and Nevada. 

But starting tomorrow, all eyes will fall upon the Sunshine State, and after being camped out in Florida since the New Hampshire primary on Jan. 8, the Giuliani campaign feels that the extra time they have devoted on the ground, combined with what they tout as their organizational strength, will pave the way for a victory on Jan. 29.

If the Giuliani strategy works, the single win in Florida would leapfrog the former New York City mayor to the top of the Republican delegate count.

January 19, 2008 in Giuliani, Rudy, McCain, John, Romney, Mitt | Permalink | User Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)

Giuliani Uses Romney's Words To Tout Own Tax Record

January 17, 2008 5:10 PM

ABC News' Jan Simmonds reports:  In Rudy Giuliani's latest ad, he looks to an unlikely source to tout his record on taxes... his Republican opponent Mitt Romney, R-MA.

The ad, entitled "Quotes", features well, quotes from several prominent Republicans or Conservatives touting Giuliani’s history of fiscal conservativeness and cutting taxes.

Following praising quotes from Grover Norquist, George Will, Steve Forbes, and Pat Toomey the following quote appears on the screen:  "Mayor Giuliani has a great record of cutting taxes", citing Mitt Romney.

The Romney Campaign notes that when the former Massachusetts Governor made those comments on CNBC in October, he also raised a negative about Giuliani's record.
Answering a question from Larry Kudlow, Romney said, "Mayor Giuliani has a great record of cutting taxes and cutting spending, although, according to the Mayor, Mayor Bloomberg, that followed him, he said that he left excessive deficits for him."  Not quite a ringing endorsement from his fellow Republican.

Giuliani has gone out of his way not to attack his fellow Republicans in his ads and has rarely taken a swing at them while on the stump.  Ironically, Mitt Romney is the only candidate that Giuliani has sparred with on occasion on the issues of illegal immigration and taxes. 

The ad will air in selected markets in Florida, where Giuliani has campaigned almost exclusively since the New Hampshire Primary on January 8th.

The ad can be viewed here.

January 17, 2008 in Giuliani, Rudy | Permalink | User Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)

Florida On Horizon, Giuliani Touts National Catastrophic Fund

January 17, 2008 5:04 PM

ABC News' Jan Simmonds reports:  For the past few days, Rudy Giuliani has been criss-crossing the state of Florida telling everyone and anyone he supports the National Catastrophic Fund.

Giuliani hopes that his support of the policy is seen as not just a sound policy decision, but will also help push the majority of Florida Republicans to vote for him on January 29th.  The end of the month primary is looking more and more like a "must win" primary for the former New York City Mayor, who has struggled in recent weeks to draw attention from the national media and whose national poll numbers have been consistently on the decline.

Today, while speaking to a meeting of editors and reporters in Tallahassee, Giuliani again pressed the issue saying the fund would make for a more efficient, affordable way of funding the aftermath of national catastrophes and provide faster access to insurance for people.

"Catastrophe can strike in most parts of America,'' he said trying to explain that while it made sense for Florida, it also did for the entire nation. "The reality is, when that happens, the federal government is there anyway, and with a lot of money. The federal government was a backstop for terrorism and terrorism insurance for New York.''

Among the reasons Giuliani gives for supporting the fund is that it would spread the risk created by major disasters across the country. The funding for this proposal would come from a portion of property insurance premiums insurance companies already collect. This money should then grow tax-free, creating a national pool for extreme catastrophic losses and providing an additional level of policyholder protection.

At this time, Giuliani is the only Republican candidate who given his support of the fund and said he would sign such a bill if it crossed his desk. 

Speaking in Gulf Breeze yesterday where he spoke at length about the fund, Giuliani would not criticize his fellow republicans for not getting behind the fund when given the opportunity. 

But the same could not be said for the Florida State Attorney General and Giuliani’s Florida Chairman Bill McCollum.

“Nobody said they would consider it, but nobody said they would actually support it,” said McCollum referring to meetings he has had in the past year with all the candidates along with Florida Governor Charlie Crist on this issue.

“They were not endorsing it in anyway, shape or form,” McCollum added.  “They were just saying, ‘Um, well I don’t know about that, I want to think about that’, you know… This man (Giuliani) didn’t just say he listened to the Governor, he has said ‘I will, I have studied it already, I will support it.’”

Critics of the National Catastrophic Fund warns such a federal insurance “backstop” would have a number of unintended and unwelcome consequences for the economy.  Among those drawbacks is that a government-backed insurance would displace insurance in the private market. They also say that a federal program would force taxpayers nationwide to subsidize low premiums for a relatively small group of people in high-risk areas.

January 17, 2008 in Giuliani, Rudy | Permalink | User Comments (5) | TrackBack (0)

Giuliani Woos Floridians With 'National Catastrophe Fund' Plan

January 16, 2008 12:10 PM

ABC News' Jan Simmonds Reports: In a move that will align himself with the Floridians he is banking his primary hopes on, Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani plans to outline his proposal Wednesday for what he is calling a "National Catastrophe Fund."

Giuliani will outline his plan near Pensacola, Florida, an area hard hit by hurricanes in the last decade.

A new ad the Giuliani campaign launched today in Florida, says "he’s the only candidate who’ll fight for a national catastrophe fund to reduce insurance rates." On the screen flashes the words ""National Catastrophe Fund."

This week Giuliani told reporters he likes a U.S. House-passed catastrophe bill sponsored by Palm Beach County Democratic U.S. Reps. Ron Klein and Tim Mahoney, and co-sponsored in the senate by Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y.

The bills would establish a quasi-governmental group that would sell long-term catastrophe bonds on the private market to help finance state catastrophe insurance funds.

January 16, 2008 in Giuliani, Rudy, Vote 2008: Republicans | Permalink | User Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)

Giuliani Pushes for Early Vote in Florida Before Others Arrive

January 15, 2008 4:15 PM

ABC News’ Jan Simmonds Reports:  Speaking to supporters and prospective voters Tuesday in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, Rudy Giuliani asked the crowd to cast their votes now, before his Republican foes descended onto the state.

"This campaign is going to be an intense one here in Florida,” said Giuliani. “The good part of it is that the people of Florida are gonna learn a lot about all the issues, all the candidates and everything else.  But I tell ya what… before they even get here to campaign how about you go vote for me."

Noting that early voting already began in the Sunshine State Monday, the former New York City Mayor added, “You can do something in Florida that can’t get done anywhere else.  You can go vote today, you can go vote tomorrow.”   

After a person in the crowd noted they already went to the polls Giuliani yelled out, “You voted for me already!"

The campaign has really been pushing early voting here for the past few days, trying to capitalize on their exclusivity in the state while the other Republicans are spending their time competing in Michigan and South Carolina. The Board of Elections Office was not able to quickly account for how many people voted in Florida Monday, when contacted Tuesday morning.

Giuliani also increased his outreach to the Hispanic community on Tuesday in Florida, releasing a new Spanish radio ad, featuring the Mayor Hialeah Julio Robaina touting the former mayor’s experience.

January 15, 2008 in Giuliani, Rudy | Permalink | User Comments (10) | TrackBack (0)

Rudy Hops On The Bus And Gets Candid

January 14, 2008 7:36 PM

ABC News' Jan Simmonds Reports: Following a retail stop at Mel's Diner in Sarasota, Florida this evening, Rudy Giuliani made an unprecedented detour to the press bus to make an impromptu availability to "just talk".

While the discussion began with a sports debate about the New York Football Giants' win last night in Dallas, it quickly turned to an on the record (no video cameras) briefing.

Among the subjects raised was the Republican primary election set for tomorrow in Michigan. While the Mayor is not actively competing there, whom the winner is still will have a great effect on his campaign. That said, he was not about to give any hints about whom he would like to see come out on top.

"You know I'm not gonna tell you that, if I know what the right strategic result is," said Giuliani. "There is sort of a… even a debate within my camp about what the right strategic result is."

"The answer is I can't control it, I can't control it, so I'm not gonna have an opinion about it," he added. "We are just gonna react to it. Whichever way it comes out, it has a different set of challenges."

Keying on the issues of race and gender, that are playing so prevalently in the Democratic contest, a reporter queried about whether those issues should play an important role in presidential politics.

"I believe that we are beyond that, I really do," said Giuliani. "I think America is beyond race and gender. I think America is about who is gonna be the best, who agrees the most with me as an individual citizen… And I think all people vote differently."

Turning to the ups and downs of living through a presidential campaign, Giuliani said "there are parts of it that are hard, there are parts of it that are enjoyable."

"You learn so much about people, about policy, about things that you have an interest in but you don’t go into that kind of depth about intellectually. It’s an enormously stimulating experience," he added.

At the end of the press’ questioning, a question rose about our questions. Asked why he continues to answer questions about Bernard Kerik while no new developments in the case have arisen in recent weeks, Giuliani answered because he thought those questions were "appropriate."

"You have a right to ask questions about who I appointed and who was good and who wasn’t. You have an absolute right to ask that questions," said the former Mayor. "I made a lot of appointments when I was U.S. Attorney, Associate Attorney General, Mayor of New York City. Most of them turned out to be really good appointments, some turned out to be mistakes."

With strong crowds and great reactions here in Florida, it appears Giuliani has decided to shake it up a bit. With 14 days remaining till the Florida Primary, possibly the most important election of his political career, it may be just what his campaign needs to pull itself through.

January 14, 2008 in Giuliani, Rudy | Permalink | User Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

Giuliani Reminds That Campaign Is 'Real' While Touring Florida

January 13, 2008 7:00 PM

ABC News’ Jan Simmonds reports: Touring the Miami area today, Rudy Giuliani was greeted by large enthusiastic crowds where he pressed his message that "Florida counts."

"First of all, I want to remind everyone that this is a real campaign," Giuliani told reporters aboard his press bus today, making light of how his campaign has been perceived in the media of late before getting back to message.

"They’ll actually start voting tomorrow, it’s a combination of absentee ballots and early voting. Who knows what percentage of the vote will be cast before the 29th," Giuliani said, trying to drill home his message that while other candidates are campaigning in Michigan and South Carolina, Floridians will be going to the polls.

Giuliani and his campaign reminded reporters often today that Florida should not be overlooked.

"It’s an important primary, very important to me, so we’ll be campaigning here not exclusively but it's gonna be our main focus for the next week, two weeks," said Giuliani, noting he will do "whatever it takes."

When a reporter -- in reaction to stories that Giulian's campaign is suffering money woes -- asked whether Giuliani would lend his campaign some of his own money, the former New York City mayor said he would not consider that option.

"I never have," he said. "I believe that the way that you run for office is you raise money, you gotta raise money among the people and you've got to have their support in order to run."

The crowds at his stops today were overwhelmingly positive, a far cry from the tepid reception he often received in Iowa and New Hampshire.

Among his stops was a visit to the El Rey Jesus Church (the first time he has visited a religious ceremony publicly as a presidential candidate), where he spoke before a crowd of about 6,000.

Later in the day, Giuliani also marched in the Three Kings Parade in the Little Havana section of Miami, where tens of thousands greeted him warmly.

"It was a very enthusiastic event," Giuliani said. "Miami is a very important stronghold for us, the Cuban American community is an important electorate, but also the City of Miami. It's one of the places where we get a very strong vote, and its one we are gonna count on."

There were also a handful who also came out today against the former mayor. Most notable were three anti-abortion protesters, who had also made their presence felt in New Hampshire last week. At each of Giuliani's events today, the three men tried to shout down the presidential candidate for his stance on abortion. But their attempts to dissuade onlookers were for the most part unsuccessful as supporters out shouted them with chants of "Rudy, Rudy."

Another publicized planned protest at the Three Kings Parade organized by firefighters upset with Giuliani’s actions on Sept. 11 and during the aftermath of the terror attacks also did not appear to come to full fruition. Only one firefighter was seen protesting Giuliani at the parade within view of the mayor.

On Monday, Giuliani’s three-day bus tour heads to the western side of the state with multiple stops up and down the coast.

January 13, 2008 in Giuliani, Rudy | Permalink | User Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)

Giuliani Moves to Put 'Almost Everything' in Florida

January 11, 2008 4:28 PM

ABC News' Jan Simmonds reports:  Rudy Giuliani told the press this afternoon his campaign has plenty of money, despite the decision of some staffers to forgo their salaries this month.

"Well some people volunteered to do it.  We didn't ask anyone to do it.  They volunteered to do it because they want to stretch out the money," Giuliani told reporters following a Town Hall in Coral Springs, Florida.  "We have quite a bit of money and they wanted to make sure we had even more money at the end of this situation in Florida.  So that we could have, I guess, that we had enough on the air or whatever."

He was later asked if he thought his campaign would have enough funds remaining after the Florida Primary on January 29th to compete on February 5th's Super Tuesday.

"Yeah, we'll have some," noted Giuliani.  "But frankly Florida is really important to us, so we are gonna put if not everything into Florida, almost everything."

The former New York Mayor also was questioned about his former Finance Chair Roy Bailey. ABC News reported earlier today has left his position with the campaign to return to the private sector and his position with Giuliani Partners.

"People shift around all the time and they do different things," Giuliani said about Bailey. 

He also added that it was his understanding that no one "has really decided to leave" adding that he thought "people have shifted responsibilities including in this decision".

Giuliani then turned to a staffer for guidance who said "Roy has not left in any capacity."  Following the presser the campaign came back and said that they had misspoke, again confirming that Bailed had indeed left the campaign. 

Campaign sources say that Giuliani and Bailey remain close personal friends and that that other issues, such as travel demands, were the primary reason for his stepping down.  They add that the decision was not in regard to the campaign’s ability to raise funds. 

Still with his campaign in some flux, Giuliani remained steadfast that he and his campaign were acting fiscally conservative.

"We don't have any debt.  We don't have any liabilities of any kind," said Giuliani.  "We got a good deal of money in the bank.  Probably more than just about any campaign.  And this was an effort to even stretch dollars further...We are probably one of the most fiscally conservative campaigns and certainly on the Republican side."

January 11, 2008 in Giuliani, Rudy | Permalink | User Comments (34) | TrackBack (0)

Giuliani Finance Director Returns to Private Sector

January 11, 2008 1:08 PM

ABC News' Jake Tapper Reports: ABC News has learned that Giuliani campaign national finance co-chair Roy Bailey has stepped down to return to the private sector, to his post at Giuliani Partners.

Bailey stepped down from the volunteer position in December in order to focus on the needs of the business, which has made the former mayor a multimillionaire. He had traveled a great deal as national chair but felt he could  no longer maintain that schedule or commitment to the campaign of Giuliani.

The other national finance co-chair for the campaign, Jim Lee, remains in his position.

After reports surfaced that senior staffers for Giuliani's campaign took January pay cuts, Giuliani's campaign manager described the move as one that would allow the campaign to maximize resources and denied money woes for the Republican candidate.

"Many on the campaign team joined Rudy when the pundits were saying he couldn't win," Mike DuHaime told ABC News.  "We joined because we believe he would be a great President, not for a paycheck.  This does not affect the vast majority of the staff."

Responding to these reports, the Giuliani campaign released 4th quarter financials. At the end of December, the campaign had $12.7 million on hand, $7 million of which can be used toward the primary.

Amid rumors last week that Giuliani staffers were forgoing January salaries, the campaign flatly denied to ABC News that that was the case. The campaign says things have changed in the last week: when it told ABC a week ago that the pay cut story wasn't true it was "because it was inaccurate a week ago."

January 11, 2008 in Giuliani, Rudy | Permalink | User Comments (26) | TrackBack (0)

Giuliani Ad Rails Against the 'Process'

January 10, 2008 11:17 AM

ABC News' Jan Simmonds reports:  Rudy Giuliani's presidential campaign released a new television ad titled "Super Bowl" in Florida today criticizing the mainstream media for its focus on “process.”

The spot begins with a montage of images from the broadcast and cable networks, a narrator comparing their analysis of the election to that of sports commentators.

"With pundits and politicos handicapping the campaign like the Super Bowl, it's easy to lose sight of what's at stake," the ad starts, noting an "economy in peril" and a "a country at war".

The ad goes on to say that while "the media loves process" it is up to Florida "to turn down the noise and show the world that leadership is what really matters."

In his appearances in Florida, Giuliani over the past few weeks has been pressing the importance of the Sunshine State in American politics, noting it was Florida who put President Bush into office and it will be Florida again who decides who the next President will be.

The former New York City has not had a good start to the primary and caucus season with poor showings in the first three contests.  With his campaign on the line he has put all his attention and effort into Florida.  Earlier this week the campaign also released a Spanish language ad on Florida TV titled "Liderazgo" or "Leadership". The ad plays up Giuliani's ties to Ronald Reagan and his past record.

January 10, 2008 in Giuliani, Rudy | Permalink | User Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)

Giuliani Unveils Tax Plan, Begins Florida Push

January 10, 2008 7:47 AM

ABC News' Jan Simmonds Reports:  An energetic and enthusiastic Rudy Giuliani campaigned in Florida on Wednesday, unveiling what his campaign is calling the “largest tax cut in the history of America,” and beginning his push to win what is becoming a something of a do or die primary set for January 29th in Florida.

After an hour delay and relocation of his speech due to a unspecified bomb threat, the former New York City Mayor walked into an airport hangar at the Melbourne International Airport where outlined the details of his plan before the press and about 50 supporters.

"Really what its ultimately all about, its about making this country a country in which we have prosperity for everyone, where people can dream their biggest dreams, where we reward success, where we don’t penalize success, and where we continue to be the leader of the world as a entrepreneurial country,” Giuliani explained.

The tax cut plan, which has multiple parts to it, begins by making the current Bush tax cuts, set to expire in 2010, permanent.  Giuliani then vows to expand on President Bush’s efforts by also seeking to reduce the current six tax brackets to three. Those revised brackets would include a 10 percent tax on income up to $40,000, a 15 percent tax on income between $40,000 and $150,000, and all income over $150,000 would be taxed 30 percent.

In addition, he also would seek to reinstate the Research and Development Tax Credit, cut the corporate tax rate from 35 to 25 percent, and cut the capital gains tax from 15 to 10 percent.

As he has stated several times over the past months on the trail, the Giuliani Tax Cut Plan would include his promise to give the “death tax the death penalty.”

With a beaming Steve Forbes, a champion of the flat tax, at his side, Giuliani also unveiled his proposal to simplify the tax code.

If elected president, Giuliani vows introduce what he is calling the “Fair and Simple Tax (FAST) form”. The FAST form would allow taxpayers the option of filling out a single page tax form. 

The document, which has only ten lines to fill out, would ask for taxation depending on your tax bracket as described above and allow for major deductions on mortgage interest, charity, state & local taxes, the child tax credit, the personal exemption and the Giuliani's health care exclusion proposal.

Giuliani promised that anyone would be able to fill out this form but that it also would not be required. 

"I believe in giving Americans choices, giving them options,” Giuliani said.  “After all it’s your money, its your choice.  This form will save you a great deal of time and in most cases it will save you money."

According to Giuliani’s math, a family of four in Florida with a household income of $80,000 would save $2,207 on their federal taxes, a 24 percent decline.

Thursday Rudy Giuliani will take a one day trip outside of Florida to attend a FOX News Debate in South Carolina. But before departing the State at an evening rally in West Palm Beach with his wife Judith, at his side Giuliani urged the crowd for their support in these final 20 days before votes are cast in Florida.

"We got 20 days in which to do this, we got 20 days together to make sure that Florida counts.Florida is going to be important," Giuliani rallied his supporters.

"The democrats have boycotted Florida, so we get the next 20 days to win the primary, to have that become the springboard to winning the nomination, and then we will have laid the groundwork for what has to be done if you want to be President of the United States, you got to win Florida."

January 10, 2008 in Giuliani, Rudy, Vote 2008: Republicans | Permalink | User Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)

Giuliani Concedes New Hampshire, Not The Nomination

January 08, 2008 9:29 PM

ABC News' Jan Simmonds reports:  Conceding the New Hampshire Republican Primary this evening, Rudy Giuliani maintained that his unorthodox campaign strategy would pay off and he would in the end be the Republican Party's nominee for the presidency.

"This is the kickoff for what is going to be a very long and very tough game, but one we are going to come out.  And by the time its over with, by February 5th, its gonna be clear that we are going to be the nominee of the party," Giuliani told a upbeat and energetic crowd who had gathered in a hotel ballroom in downtown Manchester.

Shortly after 8p Giuliani took the stage to congratulate the night's winner, whose identity he had not yet learned.

"First of all I congratulate the winners of tonight's primary, I don't think it's been officially called but later tonight on the way to the airport I am sure it will be called and I will make a call to the winner and congratulate him," he said. 

Briefly before Giuliani took the stage, ABC News had called the Republican Primary in favor of Arizona Senator John McCain, but according to the former mayor's campaign he had not learned of the result prior to taking the stage. 

Campaigning tomorrow in Florida, Giuliani left the hotel immediately after his speech to make his way to the airport.  While driving to the airport, Giuliani learned McCain had been named the night's winner and placed a call to congratulate him on a good race, his campaign reported.

While his showing in New Hampshire appears to likely result in a poor one, Giuliani and his campaign appeared undeterred on their quest to win the White House.

"There are a lot of places for which we can carry on this fight and we are going to prevail.  And we are going to continue our fight. Our journey has just begun, its going to take us to Florida in a few minutes so we can get an early start."

Tomorrow in Melbourne, Florida, Giuliani will unveil a new tax cutting proposal.

January 8, 2008 in Giuliani, Rudy | Permalink | User Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

Giuliani: The 'Change' Dems Want Is From Your Pocket

January 07, 2008 10:31 PM

ABC News Jan Simmonds reports: Rudy Giuliani said today that while the Democrats are talking about "change," their real intention is to take the change that's in your pockets.

"I probably haven't heard 'change' as much in the last couple of weeks since I worked in a bank and people wanted change, change, change," said Giuliani to some light laughter during a Town Hall this evening in Derry.

Noting that the "change" Democrats really wanted was raising Americans’ taxes Giuliani added, "That's what Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and John Edwards want to do for you. When you see their slogan ‘change’ ... they want to take the change out of my pocket." The new punch line drew big laughs from the approximately 200 people in attendance.

The day though was not filled with laughs during the former New York City Mayor’s four public events throughout the state. Giuliani’s poll numbers have been sinking of late in New Hampshire, with the latest polls showing him no higher than fourth place and in single digits percentage-wise.

Talking with reporters in the morning, Giuliani shied away from the negativity and talked highly about his campaigns big delegate state strategy while lowering expectations for tomorrow’s election.

"We have not campaigned as much here as other candidates. We certainly haven’t spent anywhere as much of the money as other candidates have," said Giuliani outside a diner in Nashua. "We have a strategy of dealing with all 29 states and we believe that strategy is gonna be a good strategy."

While urging reporters that he maintained his confidence, he added that the media’s constant focus on his campaign’s strategy was not to the benefit of the voters.

"The reality is I have spent as much time in New Hampshire as I have in Florida. So I am probably the only candidate that has done that. We believe we have built a strong organization in Florida," he said. "We know we have strong organizations in a group of the other states that come up on Super Tuesday. And the reality, spending all this time focusing on process is not really helping the voters much because they are not sitting home trying to figure out… 'Gee I'm going to vote for Giuliani because he is going to win Florida'."

These have been difficult days for the Giuliani campaign, who in a perfect world have liked to have been more competitive in these early contests. But their strategy throughout, except for a short period where they invested television time in New Hampshire, was to invest the majority of their funds and effort into the big delegate states where they can get the most out of their dollars.

Following tomorrow’s vote, Giuliani heads to Florida where he will begin to see whether his unorthodox strategy will pay off.

January 7, 2008 in Giuliani, Rudy | Permalink | User Comments (6) | TrackBack (0)

Giulaini Counts Delegates, Sees Trouble for Romney

January 06, 2008 3:14 PM

ABC News' Tahman Bradley Reports: Rudy Giuliani shot back at his rival former Gov. Mitt Romney, R-Mass., today for arguing that the former New York mayor is not the powerhouse he once was because he placed in the bottom tier of Republican candidates in the Iowa caucuses and may finish no better than third in Tuesday's New Hampshire primary.

Speaking at a press availability in Nashua, New Hampshire, Giuliani suggested Romney's campaign has run into a ditch after finishing a disappointing second in Iowa.

"Where we are now is not unexpected to us. It may be in Mitt's case. I don't know, he has to speak for...maybe where he is is unexpected for him," said Giuliani.

Romney is tied with Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., in New Hampshire according to a new WMUR/CNN poll - and a loss to McCain in New Hampshire would be a serious blow to Romney's long-standing strategy of using victories in early states to propel him to the GOP nomination.

As for Giuliani, he continued to defy conventional primary strategy pointing to a plan to win delegate rich states like Florida, which votes on Jan 29, and Feb 5 states.  "We"re ahead in something like 16 or 18 of the 28 primaries that are coming up, our strategy has always been that we have to be a proportionate candidate," he said. "Romney's strategy had been more to emphasize two states. Our strategy has been more to give proportionate emphasis on a number of states. So, nobody know if his strategy is going to work or if our strategy is going to work. But at this point our strategy looks as if it has a good chance of working."

January 6, 2008 in Giuliani, Rudy, Romney, Mitt | Permalink | User Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)

Giuliani Rallies in Florida, Fails to Mention Iowa by Name

January 03, 2008 6:57 PM

ABC News’ Jan Simmonds reports:  Instead of flying to Iowa today, Rudy Giuliani traveled to Florida, where he held an evening rally in Hialeah and failed to mention the Hawkeye State by name.

“Today and tonight begins a 29-state primary and caucus season,” Giuliani told a crowd of about 200 supporters at the Milander Auditorium, hinting at tonight’s Iowa caucus.

“Between now and Feb. 5, I believe there are 29 states that will be voting.  A large percentage of them on Feb. 5, and your primary is placed critically right in the middle of it, on Jan. 29,” he added.  “And your voting has already begun, and your early voting begins in about a week?  On the 14th.  So, this election is upon us.” 

But Giuliani was not shy in letting the crowd know how important Florida is to his chances to become the Republican presidential nominee. 

“It's about all 29 states, but once again, Florida is kind of in the middle and in a very, very important position,” Giuliani said.  “So I need your help.  I need your vote.  I need your support.  And I need you to go out and get other people who will vote for us.  And I know how good you are at that, because I’ve seen you pull us through.”

Giuliani was joined on stage by about a dozen Miami-area elected officials, and his wife Judith, who spoke to the crowd in Spanish, saying “es una noche muy bonita” – it is a very nice evening.

It may not be a very nice evening for the Giuliani campaign when it comes to the results in Iowa, but the campaign has worked hard to keep expectations for the nation’s first caucus, low.  To prove this point, campaign officials have been alerting the media that, according to their research, more Republicans have already requested absentee ballots in Florida than will participate in the caucuses tonight.

January 3, 2008 in Giuliani, Rudy, Vote 2008: Republicans | Permalink | User Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)

New Giuliani Ad Features OBL, Bhutto and Ahmadinejad

January 02, 2008 6:03 PM

ABC News' Jan Simmonds reports:  Rudy Giuliani released a new national television ad Wednesday evening, warning of "a world where the next crisis is a moment away."

The ad (watch it HERE) includes images of Osama Bin Laden, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and the recently assassinated former Prime Minister of Pakistan Benazir Bhutto to drive home the presence of those dangers. 

The advertisement, to be aired nationally on FOX News Channel and locally in New Hampshire and Florida, begins with images of large groups of shouting Middle Easterners with a narrator warning viewers that the United States faces an "enemy without borders."

Showing images of car bombings, Islamic rallies and gun-toting Middle Easterners, the narration goes on to warn of "a people perverted" whose religion they have "betrayed," who are bent on creating "chaos" around the world.

The ad touts that, in a world where leaders such as Bhutto are assassinated,"democracy attacked" and "Osama bin Laden still making threats," that the United States "needs a leader who's ready."

Giuliani himself only appears on screen at the end of the ad, where he tells viewers that he "approved this message."

The new ad keys off of a speech Giuliani made earlier in the day in which he laid out his plan to fight the war on terror.  It also is an indication that the campaign is going back to stressing one of Giuliani's strengths greatest strengths according to the polls -- the war on terror and keeping Americans safe.

January 2, 2008 in Giuliani, Rudy, Vote 2008: Republicans | Permalink | User Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)

Giuliani Calls for Military Surge in Afghanistan

January 02, 2008 3:18 PM

ABC News' Jan Simmonds reports:  Rudy Giuliani called for an immediate surge of troops in Afghanistan during a policy speech today in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire.

While outlining his plan to win the War on Terror, called for the United States to "double the number of our troops, who are American led combat troops in Afghanistan."

"I believe acting now will help us in the effort to find Bin L