Rudy Giuliani presidential campaign, 2008
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Former Mayor of New York City Rudy Giuliani’s 2008 presidential campaign began in October, 2005 when the “Draft Rudy Giuliani for President, Inc” was formed. The committee filed papers with the Federal Elections Commission (FEC) on November 22, 2006. On February 5, 2007, Giuliani officially entered the race for the 2008 US presidential election by filing a "statement of candidacy" with the FEC.[1]
Giuliani has yet to make a formal announcement of candidacy, although he has confirmed the fact on Larry King Live.
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[edit] Campaign Development
Draft Rudy Giuliani for President, Inc. registered with the Federal Election Commission in October 2005, becoming the first federal committee formed with the sole purpose of encouraging former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani to run for President of the United States in 2008.[2] Throughout 2006, various rumors circulated concerning a Giuliani campaign for President[3] and Giuliani himself hinted at his intentions.[4]
On November 13, 2006, Giuliani announced during a leadership conference in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania that he had taken the first step toward a potential 2008 White House bid by forming the Rudy Giuliani Presidential Exploratory Committee, Inc., allowing him to raise money for national travel and for a Presidential campaign. By forming the committee Giuliani was able to travel and gauge support without formally declaring his candidacy, which would subject him to federal fundraising laws.
The committee filed papers with the FEC on November 22, 2006. On February 5, 2007, Giuliani officially entered the race for the 2008 US presidential election by filing a "statement of candidacy" with the Federal Election Commission.[5]
Early 2008 Republican presidential polls show him with one of the highest levels of name recognition and support. A recent Gallup poll found Giuliani to be the most "acceptable" nominee for Republicans, with 73% giving him a thumbs-up and 25% dismissing him as "unacceptable." By this measure, he led both Condoleezza Rice (68%-29%) and John McCain (55%-41%).[6] The same poll also found Giuliani leading the Republican field with 29% support, with John McCain at 24%, Newt Gingrich at 8%, and both Mitt Romney and Bill Frist at 6%.[7][8]
[edit] Supporters' arguments about why he can win Republican nomination
Supporters point to his leadership of New York City during the September 11, 2001 attacks and his coordination of the emergency response in the immediate aftermath, as well as his track record of success in reducing crime and improving the economy of New York City. The prospect of a Republican candidate with the potential to win New York State's electoral votes would be a strategic victory for the Republican Party, although the prospect is perhaps less likely with New York Senator Hillary Clinton running on the Democratic ticket.
Giuliani is a Roman Catholic who is pro-choice, supports same-sex civil unions, and embryonic stem cell research. Pro-life groups, such as the Republican National Coalition for Life, have already announced their intention to oppose Giuliani or any other pro-choice candidate,[9] though evidence suggests that even among these voters, he enjoys some support.[10] This may be due to the fact that Giuliani has pledged to nominate Supreme Court Justices in the mold of Antonin Scalia, John Roberts, and Sam Alito (all former colleagues of his in the Reagan Justice Department).[11]
On August 15, 2006, a poll from Rasmussen Reports revealed the perception of Giuliani as a moderate.[12]
[edit] Past problems recalled
Giuliani's three marriages, and especially the public circumstances around the dissolution of his marriage with Donna Hanover, bring him criticism from social conservatives. For instance, in March of 2007, Richard Land, head of public policy for the highly influential Southern Baptist Convention was quoted as saying that Giuliani's handling of the Hanover divorce only added to his problems with conservative voters: "I mean, this is divorce on steroids. To publicly humiliate your wife in that way, and your children. That's rough. I think that's going to be an awfully hard sell, even if he weren't pro-choice and pro-gun control."[13] His first marriage to his second cousin may also be an issue. Similarly, in March of 2007, John Lott writing in the National Review criticized Giuliani's initiation of New York City's lawsuit against gun makers. [14]
Giuliani also has been criticized by vocal opponents from his mayoral days, honing in on Giuliani's support for the NYPD during the racially-charged cases of Abner Louima and Amadou Diallo and his crackdown on porn shops in Times Square. In November 2006, civil-rights lawyer and frequent Giuliani critic Norman Siegel pledged to "swift boat" the former Mayor by bringing attention to these and other controversies.[15]
On March 3, 2007, The New York Post reported that Republican opponents to Giuliani were engaged in a whispering campaign against him, revolving around his past appearances in drag.[16]
As Giuliani campaigns in his bid for the White House, he has faced repeated questions about Bernard Kerik -- and what his support for the disgraced former driver and police commissioner means about his judgment. Giuliani told voters in one New Jersey appearance that he should be judged by his success and his mistakes.[17]
[edit] 2008 battle plans revealed
On January 1, 2007, the New York Daily News published parts of a secret dossier that sets out the budgets, schedules and fund-raising plans for Giuliani's 2008 presidential run.[18]
On January 29, 2007, Giuliani recruited veteran Republican activist Wayne Semprini to lead his New Hampshire operations. Since 1972, Semprini, former state Republican Party Chairman, has been involved in New Hampshire politics.[19]
On February 5, 2007, Rudy Giuliani filed an official statement of candidacy for President of the United States of America.
There was still some criticism that Guiliani was being coy about whether he was committed to running, but on February 14, 2007, Rudy Giuliani firmly stated on Larry King Live: "Yes, I'm running."[20]
[edit] Endorsements
- On March 28, 2007 Steve Forbes joined the Rudy Giuliani Presidential Exploratory Commitee as a National Co-Chair and Senior Policy Adviser. Forbes said, "It is time the rest of the country benefit from a true fiscal conservative leader who gets real results."
- On March 22, 2007 former Maryland Governor Bob Ehrlich endorsed Giuliani for POTUS.
- On March 16, 2007 Police Officers Association of Michigan (POAM) endorsed Giuliani.
- On March 12, 2007 Senator David Vitter joined Giuliani's eploratory commitee as the Southern Regional Chair.
- California Congressional members that have endorsed Giuliani include Mary Bono, David Dreier, Jerry Lewis, Devin Nunes, George Radanovich and Ed Royce.
[edit] Notes
- ^ [1] BBC article
- ^ By law, Draft Rudy Giuliani for President cannot coordinate its activities with the former mayor.
- ^ See Robert Novak's July 8, 2006 column
- ^ Giuliani told a Baltimore crowd that he was "seriously considering" a run.[2] Also Novak, August 8, 2006.[3]
- ^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6333437.stm
- ^ http://polipundit.com/index.php?p=14297
- ^ http://www.pollingreport.com/WH08rep.htm
- ^ According to the real money presidential futures market run by intrade.com, the odds of Giuliani getting the GOP nomination have ranged from 20-6%. The odds of Giuliani obtaining the presidency have been between 5-11%. Giuliani is the strongest major candidate in the sense of the ratio of his chance of getting elected to his chance of getting nominated.
- ^ http://www.renewamerica.us/news/040830parro.htm. Retrieved on November 15, 2005.
- ^ CBS News : Early Signs Point To Giuliani '08 (December 10, 2004). Retrieved on 2005-11-15.
- ^ http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,250497,00.html
- ^ http://www.rasmussenreports.com/2006/August/GiulianiIdeology.htm
- ^ http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/03/07/giuliani.baptists.ap/index.html
- ^ [4]
- ^ http://www.nypost.com/seven/11202006/news/regionalnews/critics_to_kick_rudy_patootie_regionalnews_david_seifman___city_hall_bureau_chief_.htm
- ^ http://www.nypost.com/seven/03032007/news/nationalnews/rudy_dragged_down_nationalnews_ian_bishop__post_correspondent.htm
- ^ Matthew Chayes, "Giuliani Focuses on Foreign Policy at N.J. Appearance", The New York Sun, March 28, 2007. Accessed April 1, 2007.
- ^ http://www.nydailynews.com/front/story/485008p-408347c.html
- ^ "Giuliani Hires Former N.H. GOP Chairman". Associated Press, January 29, 2007.
- ^ http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/02/14/giuliani.lkl/index.html
[edit] External links
- Official Website: Join Rudy 2008
