Iowa Republican Caucuses 2008: Giuliani Leads

[DeepModem Mom]

WP political blog: "The Fix," by Chris Cillizza
Iowa 2008: Giuliani Leads


(WP)
Former New York City Maory Rudy Giuliani

Should he decide to run for president in 2008, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani would start off as the frontrunner in the Iowa caucuses, according to a survey conducted in the state earlier this month.

Giuliani, who in the past several months has looked more and more like a candidate for president, received 30 percent of the vote in a survey conducted by Victory Enterprises -- a Republican consulting firm based in Davenport, Iowa. Arizona Sen. John McCain came in second with 17 percent -- the only other candidate to draw double-digit support. In fact, only Giuliani received more votes than the "undecided" option, which clocked in at 29 percent....

***

When asked whether they viewed the candidates favorably or unfavorably, the sample gave Giuliani the most sterling response. Sixty-seven percent saw him in a favorable light compared to just 5 percent who viewed him unfavorably. McCain had the second-highest favorable rating (44 percent) but the highest unfavorable rating as well (25 percent) -- perhaps the result of his decision to bypass Iowa in 2000.

The poll was not all good news for Giuliani, however. The knock against him has long been that, despite his current high ratings among Republicans (largely the result of his deft handling of the aftermath 9-11), his popularity will quickly plummet once conservative caucus and primary voters are informed of his liberal position on several social issues -- most notably abortion.

Fully 45 percent of those tested said they were "very unlikely" to vote for a candidate who disagreed with their position on abortion, while 22 percent said they were "somewhat unlikely" to select a candidate with whom they differed on the issue....Iowa caucuses are traditionally dominated by socially conservative voters -- witness the stronger than expected showings of Pat Robertson in 1988 and Pat Buchanan in 1996. In the Victory Enterprises poll, 70 percent of those tested identified themselves as "pro-life" as compared to 22 percent who called themselves "pro choice."...

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/thefix/

[OrangeCountyDemocrat]

1. He's Tying Up Loose Ends As We Speak

Taking care of anybody who knows the truth about him. No skeletons allowed in the closet of the great New York mayor.

[bigdarryl]

2. This proves the repubs are HYPOCRITES

The want a adulter a guy who's for abortion rights to lead the party in 08. DAMN!!!

[skipos]

3. A bit OT, but is Rudy capable of giving a speech without mentioning 9-11

100 times?

[AlCzervik]

4. oh boy wait until he and McCain start high sticking each other

in the primary!! i predict the gop will have one of the nastiest primaries in history, i can already picture the interest groups behind Allen cutting the hamstring of both Guliani and McCain.

[MissWaverly]

5. I think it will be Rudy

he's not been in the senate, he's not connected to Tom DeLay or Bush directly and he has an
aura of 9-11 sainthood about him in their eyes.

[AlCzervik]

7. oh i think the hard core rw fundoids will go apeshit on Rudy

Pro gay rights, pro-choice and for gun control? the core base will not recieve him imo, they're already pissed at * about the social issues that he didn't deliver on so imo they'll be working for Allen.

[MissWaverly]

12. If Allen loses his senate race, they won't draft him

so who else is there as Mark Shields would say who is not being indicted or is in detox.

[rep the dems]

8. He also hasn't been in politics for several years and the last

office he held was mayor, and let's face it; there's a huge difference in being a mayor and being president. I think those things plus his moderate stances on many issues will hurt his chances.

[MissWaverly]

11. yes, he does not have the political experience

I agree; I do hope they pick someone who is a qualified candidate and not an empty suit

[Radical Activist]

6. Romney also did fairly well in the last Iowa straw poll.

He's doing surprisingly well considering how little known he is nationally. He might be a sleeper candidate that moves up closer to the caucus. Anyone who has the potential to get a few hundred former Mormon missionaries (who have knocked on thousands of doors before) to campaign for him in Iowa can't be counted out. Orrin Hatch never really mobilized Mormons in Iowa. We'll see if Romney does and is able to move beyond that base.

[ruggerson]

9. Ladies and Gentleman, the next GOP Candidate for President Of The US

I. Don't. Think. So.

[Joe Bacon]

10. What a drag....

THe real fun will come when Dobson the Dimwit explains how Rudy has a personal relationship with Jesus :evilgrin: