CNN

Add this to the above. Rudy Giuliani continues to pound his chest as the one who will bring about the largest tax decrease in the nation's history when he is elected president. This bravado pronouncement comes as his ship is steadily following the course of the Titanic, while he struggles to even hold on to a lowly third spot in the Florida presidential sweepstakes to be held on January 29. But back to his tax reduction proclamation: In support of his "great expertise" in economics when he was New York City's mayor [I am hard-pressed to find one single reference that Giuliani was ever singled out by any objective historical source that he saved the City from financial ruin while mayor ], Giuliani claims that he single-handedly turned New York City's economic gloom into great prosperity under his leadership. How disingenuous! The fact is that during his imperial reign, the nation's economy started to turn upward, as did the stock market with its high-flying technology boom. New York City [the financial capital of the world], and Wall Street, enjoyed one of the highest financial spikes in the country- not as a result of any specific Giuliani program- but because of the fantastic bull-like momentum that fueled the national and international markets. But then again- taking all the credit for what succeeds, is consistent with Rudy Giuliani's power-hungry ego even when he has little or nothing to do with its success. I write as one who was born , raised, and schooled in New York City [presently living in NY and Florida], and who has followed Giuliani's career closely. So take note Florida- January 29 is a crucial day- one that can propel an undeserving, vengeful, egocentric candidate forward, or a day that will put an end to the raw ambitions of a man whose real and sole claim to fame just happened to be that on that tragic day of 9/11, he was fortuitously, the mayor at the time. I cannot think of any other mayor in New York City's history- from Fiorello LaGuardia up to Michael Bloomberg [and everyone in between] who would not have responded in an appropriate manner after the towers came down. But to reward a Rudy Giuliani with the prospect of the highest office IN THE WORLD- because he did what any responsible mayor would have done on 9/11- translates to a disaster for our country, and the 300 million Americans who cherish our land.

Add this to "Take note Florida" above. Guiliani boasts that, "Florida is Rudy country". Let's examine that "humble" statement. Fact: Forty percent of the registered Republicans in the Sunshine State are either veterans or military-connected. This does not look like "Rudy Country". Fact: Guilliani is doing poorly in the panhandle and more rural communities. This does not look like "Rudy Country". He claims his most loyal support in the southeast- more particularly Dade and Palm Beach counties since many retired New Yorkers have migrated there. Fact: The greatest majority of that group are registered Democrats- not Republicans. Fact: The Republican Jewish vote he is relying on in the Miami area will soon have a major surrogate by the name of Senator Joseph Lieberman- who will be campaigning very hard for another candidate. And considering Lieberman's strong support within his constituency, it does not translate into "Rudy Country". As to the Hispanic vote, Guilliani was no great hero when he was arrogantly separating himself from the minority community as New York City's most divisive Mayor. So where is the "Rudy Country" of which he boasts? Fact: "Florida is Rudy country" exists only in his ego-driven imagination, and should be viewed as a campaign PR insult to serious minded Floridians.

How is Guiliani going to explain his vilification of lawful gun-ownership to a state that has over 300,000 licensed concealed weapon carriers?

The "America's Mayor" halo that crowned Giuliani since 9/11 finally is being pealed away, exposing him for what he really is. For beneath that false, toothy, fuzzy, wide- dimpled smile, lies the real Giuliani. And who is he? He is the ego-driven, mean-spirited, dictatorial, former Mayor of NYC, who through his unabashed arrogance, was the most divisive Mayor in the ciiy's history. And this is the man who will bring unity to our troubled country???!!! He's the same one who had a concrete barricade built around City Hall through which only "Yes Rudy-people"
could gain entrance. Indeed on 9/10 he was so unpopular that he could not have been elected to the lowliest office in town. And then came the disaster of 9/11 and with it, the 180 degree turn in his political and financial fortunes. Overnight he was being hailed as "the hero of 9/11"{I don't recall his running up the stairs of the towers warning the firemen and police to evacuate], a badge he flashed on his sleeve while cashing in as one of the biggest profiteers of the worst disaster in our nation's history. Draping himself with the mantle of "saviour", he became the self-appointed super tour guide as he paraded President Bush, congressional leaders, monarchs and world leaders, through the rubble of the smoking disaster site of ground zero. With such familiar props as a cloth mask hanging below his chin, microphone in hand [which no one else could pry away- not even New York's governor], and surrounded by the world press, he played the PR game as the city's only leader who could keep it from destruction, so masterfully, that he even wanted to be rewarded with a third mayoral term despite term limits enacted previously by the legislature. But even as he was lobbying for an imperial throne, he was already forming "Giuliani Partners"-a consulting firm that would step up and play the 9/11 card to corral deep pocket corporations who wanted a leg-up on lucrative security and defense contracts. Of course he brought over a number of his cronies from City Hall, including Bernie Kerik, his police commissioner, [now facing 16 federal felony counts], and the man Giuliani personally vouched for to protect the American people, as its chief of homeland security. Further, the man who aspires to keep our nation safe from terrorists- Rudy Giuliani- resigned form the Iraq Study Group since its meetings were interfering with his lucrative speaking engagements for which he was receiving upwards of $100,000.00 per booking. Obviously, it was more important for him to fatten his pockets [as a direct result of 9/11], than serving his country at a time of such national peril. But perhaps one of the presidential candidates had it right when he stated in one of the debates:"You can describe Giuliani in three words-a noun, a verb, and 9/11." Those combined words were not only a master of brevity, but of truth, and if carried to their logical conclusion means simply, that Rudy Giuliani does not possess the requisite qualities to become the standard bearer of his party, let alone the President of the United States.

GO RUDY GO !!! You Got my Vote

Nobody wants a president that is dishonest, cheater, a womanizer, power hungry and does not support the republican values, if he really cared about the american people he would be campaigning in every state not just Florida.

Too little...Too late. You have wasted a lot of time Rudy while all the others have been working their tails off you thought you could just kick back and let your name recognition work for you. Your campaign manager should be fired. You are all but forgotten before you begin!
Bye Bye Rudy

George January 13, 2008 5:23 pm ET

My guess is Rudy is not going to win the nomination. He is just hanging around so the eventual winner picks him as a vice president. That will indeed be sad for America.

Dick Cheney redux?

As all New Yorkers already know, Rudy is a totally dishonest, immoral phony. Several earlier comments noted that he had "even cheated" on one of his 3 wives. People should go back and re-read the comments of his then second wife after he publically informed her that he was devorcing her to marry his mistriss. Donna Hanover alluded to his earlier affair with a member of his administration. New Yorkers knew that to be Christine Latigana, then his PR honcho. "Honest" Rudy soon appointed her as head of the citiy"s tourism office, a very well paid job (just perhaps to shut her up?). Yes, an honest, moral leader, that Rudy 9/11!!!!

He will never win the nomination. It is very obvious now. Go home Rudy to your tacky wife

Does it really make any sense for Rudy to run primarily on his September 2001 record? No it doesn't because there were many problems leading up to it. There were many problems after that as well. There were, as others have mentioned, ethical issues (Kerik and cheating on spouses). I don't think that Rudy really should be running. I wonder really how well he will deal with other world leaders not to mention Congress when problems happen.

you forgot one Candidate...Ron Paul, who will not back the war like policies of all the other candidates...

What is the mess you mean? Has president Bush to beg your Islamic terrorists who are trained to kill cow as encouragement for killing human, or Amadenajad?
Or Praise 911 as World's peace events?
I susprise Americans, they complaint water boarding as torture, but you should know whom they conducted this techniques, worst criminals who they are willing to blow up your America, willing to behead your citizens.
You should elect these terrorists or their advocates as president rather than Bush in USA.
It will show that America is more prosperous and champion of human right when you elect your president from Guantanamo terrorists or elect Osama as eternal president of America.
Whole Terror religious society and their advocates will cheer you and America.
You still have not realize what terror means, I like to see you can say mess when they behead you.
If you are American, shame on you.

Giuliani is best in saying one sentence, which has one 3 words – a noun, a verb and 9/11. What a bunch of neocon ganglords are running for '08!!!

To Sensible and the other phoney balonies: admit that you're all Ron Paul supporters. Ron Paul "won" the Fox debate? Give me a break! You all voted 100 times a piece. Losers.

well, this guy has clearly lost it, just recently he was viewed as the front runner, but who talks of him today, little or no mention, his years of experience seem to be nothing but just that.. years of experience

Dear Eric,

What the hell planet are you from? Do you have the right to vote on Planet Earth?
God. I hope not!

I resent the slander . . . and I'm still in control here!

rudy you are so far out there and weak i cant even believe your even still here, he thinks just because he was a mayor that he is able to be a president? the guy has fear written all over him in just an election,what would he do in real situation, 911,so what, i mean come on,thats his platform that hes riding on? that he took care of new york at that time? so i guess that means the mayor of new orleans should run too? give me a break, this guy is not leader material, go home rudy, for gods sake let someone who is capable run, maby become a majistrate somewhere, decide traffic tickets and the like, but your no where near a presidential leader,and whoever said you were are as dilusional as you are,

Its funny to read the comments......they talk about "corruption" (without any proof) – they might discuss his divorce and relationship with his children (again...nothing to do with a presidency) – one thing you won't see discussed....the fact that he is a social liberal and fiscal conservative (the only moderate running) he effectively managed a budget larger than Arkansas' budget....70% of the population describe themselves as "moderate" – and Giuliani IS THE ONLY moderate running

We could elect any of the other Republicans – they are all social conservatives who will remove abortion rights and there will be no gay rights

We could elect any of the Democrats – where we can "punish the rich" for achieving the American dream...and have huge government programs (know any that are well run?? me either)

At least look beyond the rhetoric and see that Giuliani lost likely represents what you are looking for (unless you are the 30% minority)

I think Guilliani missed the fear mongering boat when it was running in full force in the 2004 elections. Even if Rudy does get the Republican nomination, so long as he continues to instill fear into the American people with his 'vote republican or die' attitude, he will lose. I think–or at least I hope–it is safe to say America is smart enough to read between the lines and not allow fear to dictate who they vote for. As much as I dislike Hillary, it will never come close to my extreme disliking for Rudy. Rudy reminds me of a 21st century Joe McCarthy. He is definately one of the major contributing players in what I like to call our nation's third red scare.

Ron des,,,,,,,, kennedy and clinton cheated on there wives,, kennedy is considered the greatest american president in modern times by many americans,, and every one knows how bill Clinton is loved and endeared,,, just ask any dem/lib ,they will tell you your comment has no legs

Tim MINN. the whole nation knows this, it played for a month on national news and you remind us every chance you get,, move on man ! Rudy will not be president,,,,,

As an American living in Europe I see unbias reporting of the election.
Giuliani comes across as a very bad B actor. Surely after 8 yrs. of Bush/Cheney the U.S. will not again allow another lying, shallow moron to occupy the oval office.
Come Nov. it won't matter anyway who gets the Republican nomination, Hillary will be the next president.
Those who disagree may rant & rave all you want, it will all be in vain.
President Clinton will be elected to clean up the horrific mess the current administration has made.

If the worst things you can say about someone is that he hired someone questionable (I guess Clinton never had a Wes Hubbel, Bush I a Sunnunu or Reagan an Ed Meese or Ollie North), or that he had some rocky relationships, you aren't saying much at all.

Thank goodness a Republican is finally running who will take the party back from the hypocrites because America has had enough. And I (voted for Ford, Reagan, Bush, Bush, Dole, Bush and Bush) agree. Take note ye of the shrill choir pulpit. So what if the free world produces leaders like Nicolas Sarkozy, a bright young modernizer who's going to take France out of its silly entrenched ways into the 21st century? Will anyone really care that he's gotten divorced and then engaged to a supermodel within months of his election?

Giuliani is an incorruptible 100% honest man who speant years putting away some of the most notorious croosk the country has produced. Even when the New York Times tried to impugn his integrity they were forced to publish a retraction. He's tough as nails and knows how to pick his battles.

I too hope that his penchant for focusing on the big fish (a gamble) will pay off in spades.

I'm still waiting for my Rudy bumper sticker to arrive in the mail, but let's get past Florida first.

Critical and on life support. With Romney up by 6 points, a flatline should come soon enough.

Well i guess Florida will have to endure a redundant campaign of the same old 9-11 re-enactments and warnings about terrorists. Sucks to be them. Oh well. At least this weasel doesn't have much of a chance of winning the ticket.

go Rudy. lower corporate tax rate spurns more business there fore more revenues to tax. meaning stronger economy, more jobs, and more tax revenue.

I hope that florida and other states realize that they matter. NO more new hampshire and Iowa deciding who our canidates are.

the media has blown the early primaries way out of proportion. there are 50 states not 2 or three that decide this thing.

By the way the democrat spending and so called eoncomey stimiluas plans will put us back in the great depreshion in aboug 3 to 6 years. It would spurn more inflation, high unemployment and bankruptcy.

I'm so glad Giuliani's 9/11 candidacy isn't working. Before 9/11 he was just a drag-wearing unpopular mayor with no presidential aspirations. What's changed? Some planes crashed into some buildings on his watch. Now he's qualified to be president? gimme a break. I feared for a while that this pitiful electorate would be dumb enough to fall for it, but thankfully they seem to be seeing right through it. I won't say this electorate has its head on straight yet, but considering these morons elected Bush twice, well really just once, this is a step in the right direction.

Guliani is a fraud!...exactly what did he do to prevent 9/11 and make NYC safe from terrorists???All the guy did as mayor of New York was make Gracie Mansion a flop house for his girlfriends...all the while his kids were sleeping in the next rooms!..His idea of public service is earning 10s of millions of dollars as a "consultant" on terrorism on security....oh, and now he wants to be president to ensure the tax breaks for multi-millionaires aren't repealed...

Personally I like Rudy, he seems to me like a good guy who could make a good president, but as someone that is involved in politics, I think that his strategy of avoiding small states is a risky move, I mean if he is elected president, he is going to have to be there for all the states not just the big ones, so this is risky and I think it will prevent him from the Republican nomination which will go to either Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee, or John Mccain.

Rudy, The Man with Great Mistakes

Among the presidential candidates in both parties, it is only former New York City Mayor Rudy Giulani have the courage to admit mistakes. Great Ones. In matters, pertaining to Bern Kerik, not knowing his federal charges and disappointment as Homeland Secretary, he admitted that once in a while, your trusted men can commit infraction of the law; and not knowing them, is a great mistake. As to his married life, with his second marriage, it was also a great mistake. While still married, he ws parading his friend-mistress, now his third wife, in public functions in Manhattan.

The greatest of them is was his first marriage, He was courting the woman for sometime and bringing her to her parents and family affairs. After nine months of living togeher as husband and wife, Rudy reaslized and have come to known that his wife is his first cousin. hed filed for annulment. A great mistake, a debacle in the life of the good Mayor.

"Mr Giuilani, didn't you misuse city resources to protect a tryst you had during your tenure as mayor?"

"Um, no. But I WAS the Mayor during 9/11!"

People like Rudy make me ashamed of being a Catholic.

Rudy never had a chance....He's just using other people's money (donations) to get publicity for his consulting firm. On top of that, he's is asking his staff to work for free this month...maybe he should pay his campaign staff with his own money – the sleeze.

As someone who was in midtown on 9/11, I can say with absolute authority that Rudy is a special leader, a special person. For all of those who say that Rudy is bringing up 9/11 too much, well, you must not have been here in NYC on that day and the days afterward. And quite frankly, shame on you for making light of an event that killed 3,000 Americans on American soil. When terrible tragedies occur, sometimes great heroes emerge – and that’s exactly what occurred on 9/11. If that’s ALL Rudy did, that would be enough to get my vote. But he did much more – he singlehandedly took on the powers of corruption, the powers of politics-as-usual, and turned a failing city back into “the Greatest City in the World.” For everyone who feels as I do – NOW IS THE TIME TO LET ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS KNOW! Now is the time to let EVERYONE know how we feel about this special, battle-tested, and GREAT Ameican! The other candidates are lucky to be sharing the same stage with Rudy – the only reason that I can think of for why he hasn’t walked away with the nomination at this point is that somehow, people have forgotten what it was like on that dark day, where it seemed all hope was lost, and then suddenly, one voice emerged from the darkness to calm us, to lead us. DON’T LET PEOPLE FORGET!

Rudy was pathetic in Florida. More wars, less taxes and individualized healthcare. How are you going to expand the army, marine,airforce and the services and cut taxes at the same time? Borrow from China?

Hey Floridians, just pay attention to how your ballots are laid out O.K.?

There is no way Giuliani is going to win. He runs on solely 9/11, and in doing so, gets endorsements from people who disagree fundamentally with his positions on a number of issues. The GOP's going to bring in either McCain, Huckabee, or Romney. Paul, unlikely, but maybe.

I have been waiting for Rudy to make his move i just hope its not too late.
I really have to ? his strategy

My guess is Rudy is not going to win the nomination. He is just hanging around so the eventual winner picks him as a vice president. That will indeed be sad for America.

"I took Bill Clinton to court, what do you have to say to that?"

HA.

Rudy is done. He is by far the worst Republican running.

Rudy is running on 911.

Why is the New York fire department against Rudy becoming Presiden of the USA.
I don't like his involvement with Bernie Kerik either.

Hank

I don't know who is running this guys election attempt, but he isn't working to hard and must think that something will be handed to him. Even the libs are working hard and the rest of the republican candidaters are also, this guy will ose.

Go Mitt!

Loser

OK Florida. Here's what's critical...you have to listen to this man's plans to save the wealthy tax dollars, attack Iran, and help no one with health care. Then you have to vote for someone else! This man has no business running for President-let's tell him so!

Rudy's whole platform seems to be"Hey! Look at me! I'm yesterday's hero!"

So who needs a highly questionable has-been?

Giuliani, has been married three times and even cheated on one of his wives. It takes honesty, good communications, loyality, and other qualities to have a good marriage. I also believe that what one does in his private life and in marrieage are qualitites that are part of ones character and cannot be separated. Therefore, Giuliani does not have the qualitites to be our next President.

Surely WE THE PEOPLEof the good ole USA realize that Giuliani has been married three times and even cheated on one of his wives. It takes ;honesty, loyalty, honor, fairness, genuine, uprightness, and above all being truthful. Giuliani, has none of these qualities according to his marriages. How in the world can he run a nation if he couldn't take care of one of his marriages ??????? He can't.....is the answer.

No worries, he will totally win the nomination after the tide the riff raff is riding subsides.

It's too bad he won't be able to contend with Team Billary.

We Floridians carry the guilt of the sham and shame of the 2000 elections that got America into such a mess that no doubt thrills Bin Laden daily, and so we won't be fooled by Giuliani's posturing. And we won't forget that New York's police and fire fighters organizations have publicly slammed him for ignoring recommendations after the 1993 attacks on the World Trade Center that he A: update the antiquated radio and communications systems relied on by police and firefighters and B: That he not locate his command center at the WTC. He blew off both sets of strident advice and as a result, on 9-11, hundreds of their comrades died needlessly, strong language from two traditionally conservative organizations.

We Floridians know too well that a man who can't protect his city as mayor due to his refusal to heed sound counselling, sure cannot be entrusted with the safety of The United States.

Sayonara, Rudy.

I cannot imagine anyone, anywhere voting for Giuliani. I say that as former New Yorker who was there during his reign. That's exactly what it was – a REIGN. Florida was the laughing stock of the country , if not of the whole world, in 2000. Let's not repeat that farce by voting for this crook. Florida has done enough damage to the country by its failure to vote intelligently and honestly.

Come on Guil! Campaign hard.

The country and the democratic world need you to fight the biggest threat to the civillization.

There are people constantly planning and executing attacks on the innocent people and they have announced that they would destroy America from within.

Looks like many Democrats have been fooled by this "all -talk- and-no- action" , "soft -on -terror" candidate with his vague slogans of "Change" and "Yes We Can"., who despite all the intelligence at that time did not support the war in Iraq becuse of his softness on terror and is now turning around and saying he showed great judgement ,and who will unconditionally sit down with the leaders of rogue countries who have declared war on the west and have vowed to wipe out Israel.

No other Presidential candidate can appreciate the horror and the pains your city has endured other than Clinton, a senator from NY.

May Romney win in Michigan and Giuliani in Florida. May all candidates divide
Super Tuesday states evenly among themselves. Let the chaos win!

No comments–I guess no one cares.

I hope Rudy tells the Florida voters about his close connections with Bernie Kerik. Bernie was indicted on 14 counts of corruption and Rudy was his buddy and put him in the position.