January 14, 2008
Posted: 04:00 PM ET

ALT TEXT
Giuliani is focusing most of his resources on Florida's January 29 primary (Photo Credit: AP)

WASHINGTON (CNN) – Republican Rudy Giuliani has enjoyed Florida nearly all to himself over the last several weeks as most of his rivals battled it out in the earlier-voting states, but a new poll out of the state Monday suggests the former New York City mayor's onetime dominant lead there may have evaporated.

According to a new Quinnipiac Poll, John McCain has the top spot in Florida with 22 percent. Rudy Giuliani is a razor-thin 2 points back at 20 percent. Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee are essentially tied with Romney at 19 percent. Fred Thompson is at 7 percent.

Giuliani has focused the majority of his campaign resources in Florida, which votes January 29, deciding to largely bypass many of the states that vote earlier in the presidential primary calendar but are worth significantly les delegates.

In an interview Sunday, Giuliani said Florida — with a large population of transplanted New Yorkers — was a state that naturally favored his candidacy.

"The reality is as these primaries played out, certain people were very strong in some, and you had to look for the opportunity where you had the best chance to demonstrate your strength," he said. "And it turned out that the analysis was that Florida was the best place for us to do it."

– CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney

Filed under: Florida


valerie summer   January 15th, 2008 7:51 pm ET

once again, why do you refuse to mention ron paul's name in this article? your responsibility as a member of the media is to report all the news. your job is not to influence the news - or the outcome of an election! - by refusing to report on each candidate, whether or not you think he (or she) will win. RON PAUL 2008!!

James, Newton MA   January 15th, 2008 12:49 pm ET

Good luck down there in FL Rudy. You get now news. Know why? You haven't got 1 single delegate yet. 3 states down - no delegates. Not looking too good for you.

S.B. Stein E.B. NJ   January 15th, 2008 11:17 am ET

If Rudy, Fred or Romney don't win in Florida, then they should think about bowing out. I know that I would not ask any of them to bow out until after Feb. 5th. With all of those states having their primaries then, there should be some candidates that bow out after that. I can't understand why Ron Paul and Duncan Hunter are still in it. They won't win anything. They should go back to the House and wait there or retire.

Jack K.   January 15th, 2008 9:05 am ET

Looks like a rogue, smells like a rogue, talks like a rogue, ……do the math.

Ann   January 15th, 2008 5:15 am ET

The real reason he passed on all of the other states is because he didn't want to be put under the microscope like the others. Too much would have come out and he thought he could just get elected without anyone asking questions.

Shirley   January 15th, 2008 3:05 am ET

Norm January 14, 2008 6:10 pm ET

Has anyone spent any time teaching the people of Florida how to vote?

That comment annoys me.We have been the victims not of our ignorance but by the crookedness of politicians.

Sean CA   January 15th, 2008 2:41 am ET

With regards to Fred Thompson Nixon said it best, he is "Dumb as Hell".

Glen, Boston, MA   January 15th, 2008 1:56 am ET

I think it's disgusting how Giuliani has exploited the victims of 9/11 for his political gain.

I think it's disgusting how his solution to every political issue is to fight.

He is the equivalent of a child who only knows how to bully others to get his way. We're seeing what that gets us.

You want to vote Republican, vote for McCain. At least he's a respectable man.

Anonymous, Somewhere, MI   January 15th, 2008 1:46 am ET

Oh good God! I've had it with the Ron Paul supporters! Do you want to know why your candidate didn't get mentioned in Florida? It's because he consistantly polls in 6th PLACE! He had a 5th place showing in Iowa, a 5th place showing in New Hampshire, no showing at all in Wyoming, and consistantly low numbers in every other state! He might pull a suprise in Michigan since it's a wide open primary an finish 3rd at best, but that's the height and end of his campaign right there. I'm happy you all found a candidate you enjoy drooling over, but please, please don't keep annoying us with your expectations that we will bend over backwards for him just because you like him. Right now he's a 5th place finisher with not a single poll showing him leading in a state. He will be treated as such. Mike Huckabee got the same treatment till he moved the polls in Iowa, why should your guy be treated any differently?

Val Davydov   January 15th, 2008 1:00 am ET

CNN,

And why is my comment awaiting moderation? All I said was:

Doug,

Well done. I agree with you 100%.

Thank you.

Wilhemina   January 15th, 2008 12:56 am ET

Rudy was great during 911, but now he makes me chuckle everytime I hear or see him. God bless him.

Bam Bam Vs Hillarious   January 15th, 2008 12:43 am ET

Bam Bam vs Hillarios is getting to be a bit of a joke.

Romney Economy got my vote when he said JOBS, JOBS, JOBS

McCain is WAR WAR, but I need a job not a WAR

Rude Rudy is a non starter.

George, Billerica, Mass.   January 14th, 2008 11:44 pm ET

You know, I see the headline ("4-way tie"), and then the picture of Giuliani, and I think that he must be leading slightly, right? No. A good newspaper would never put a picture of single candidate with a story about a 4-way race. Either photos of all four, or none at all, maybe a graphic of the state with four head-shots smiling down at it, or perhaps some campaign event where there are signs for all four candidates. But never a picture of a single candidate.

If the story was meant to focus on Giuliani's campaign efforts there, then how about the headline "Poll shows Giuliani's Florida strategy in jeopardy"?

Rebecca   January 14th, 2008 11:24 pm ET

What we need is a strong leader as president. We do not need a preacher, an old military person, a has been actor, none will do. This country is failing economically and when we fall it will be a hard landing. WAKE UP America, and look at the condiates!!!! Romney is the only candiate who has longevity in a marriage, in bulding wealth, who has intregity, who stands behind his religion. I respect him as the person and leader. He is the only candidate who doesn't need to be president, but whom will be great once elected.
Rudy has become rich off 9/11 and Huckabee is a Clinton wantabee. McCain has an ax to grind,and Thompson should just retire to the farm.

Greg Peters   January 14th, 2008 11:19 pm ET

You false republicans can forget it! If you won't help your brothers elect Ron Paul, we'll sit out the general elections in November. You can kiss the white house good bye.

Clinton and Obama will DESTORY McCain, Romney, Gui, and Huckleberry. Their voters will rally against you.

You can ignore the best republican and pretend he doesn't exist, but his followers vote in numbers!

You can't win without the Ron Paul followers, case closed.

Help us help you (or have a dem for president).

Why would we do this? Becase they are all the same, you just haven't caught on to it. It doesn't matter if it's a dem or rep if you don't help us elect Paul. That's where our clear conscience comes into play.

Test us in this and see if we don't open the floodgates of heaven.

Jones   January 14th, 2008 11:12 pm ET

-Cheonast, I agree with your assestment of Romney 100%. I am not sure what 'doug' was trying to accomplish by poiinting out all these "strengths" of Romeny's . . . "Married his high school sweetheart?" "Was valedictorian of BYU (aka world's most conservative religious university)?" Those two comments make me more worried than confident about him. My 85 year old granfather might think he is the ideal candidate, but this 30-something year old will vote Democrate before Romney.

sabrina   January 14th, 2008 10:56 pm ET

I think Rudy is a disgrace how he exploits the victims of 911. I hope he bows out very soon.

annette   January 14th, 2008 10:32 pm ET

I agree with Dough 1000%!!!!!

arfisher, Midlothian, VA   January 14th, 2008 10:17 pm ET

Agree with Doug.
If Romney manages home and business well and is very successful financially . . . I wonder what he will do for the success of the Country? DUH
Guilianni and McCain can't even manage the finances of their campaigns and Huckabee has never tried to earn his own way.

william walsh columbus ohio   January 14th, 2008 10:04 pm ET

well the good thing is you can get all your voters in one cab, this is a pic of all the people in the country that voted for gullianii,

sabrina   January 14th, 2008 9:44 pm ET

Anybody who has exploited 911 like he has deserves to lose.
Bow out now Rudy. You are a disgrace.

John   January 14th, 2008 9:42 pm ET

Anyone else annoyed they didn't mention Ron Paul's support, even though they mentioned Fred Thompson, who I'm sure is not polling as well? Love that media blackout.

Cheonast, Seattle WA   January 14th, 2008 9:26 pm ET

O great, Doug–thanks for reminding us that Romney has a Harvard MBA! Well, so does GWB. Do you like W's managerial style? Can you bring to mind any great successes of his that might profitably be used as case studies for future sons of famous, wealthy Republican studying business at Harvard? His management of the economy? His budget prowess? His management of his very own war against Iraq? Katrina? His Justice department?

Romney shares with W an astonishing and corruscating arrogance; witness his having said that his sons are serving their country not in uniform but by working to advance their father's candidacy. Give me any other candidate, and I do mean anybody but this false-front fakir, and I'll happily vote for him. Or her. But Romney? Never.

BARB   January 14th, 2008 9:11 pm ET

Ican't believe no one has seen the simalarities between Bush and Macain. They both think they know what's best for us, like on illegal immigration.I thought the people had made it clear what they want. Doesn't matter what we want to him.not only immigration,the war,Nafta,cafta all the ways jobs have been exported out of this country.
I appreciate John Mcain's history being a POW.I think he's a hero in that respect.
That just doesn't make him an expert on what we want and what's good for us.

The illegals are taking atoll on my state of virginia's economy, the democrative governor we have won't do any thing about it.

all I ask is really think about your chocies and vote for the one that will work for us.

Schnarfe   January 14th, 2008 8:34 pm ET

@ Doug:

Thanks for your comment, you are absolutely correct in your assessment concerning Giuliani and Huckabee. And while I agree that Romney is far less divisive than any of the two aforementioned, he is still unelectable! Has anyone been paying attention to recent polls? McCain and Giuliani stand a better chance in a general election than Romney (but they would still lose).

Can Romney unite all three wings of the Republican Party?

Social conservatives?

NO! Flip-flopping and pandering, especially on social issues important to "religious values voters" undermines his credibility and makes him untrustworthy. Not to mention his new found ultra-conservative stance could drive away moderates and socially liberal conservatives. This leaves him with a support base little bigger than that of Huckabee. Trouble is his Mormonism, which would repel most Evangelicals and ultra-conservative Catholics.

"Security" conservatives?

NO! Usually security conservative is a euphemism for hawk. In which case, Rudy Giuliani or John McCain would be your best choice (besides Duncan Hunter were it not for the fact that he is an unelectable lunatic). If by security you mean genuine security, then we need someone who would follow the advice of the Founding Fathers making no entangling alliances or pact which undermine national sovereignty, no obligating foreign commitments, and most of all, NOT sticking our noses in the proverbial HORNETS' NEST! Also, securing US borders and coasts is a MUST! How are we supposed to defend America when we have military forces in every nation on Earth except the USA? If only there was a candidate who can promise all of that. You know, one who understands that defending your country means just that, not policing the planet. One

Fiscal conservatives?

Maybe. Mitt the Mormon no doubt has plenty of business experience. But what do you mean by fiscal conservatism? What type of capitalist do you have in mind? Are you looking for a "big business fiscal conservative" who would cut taxes for the wealthy but otherwise run the country as a business? Or do you mean a laissez-faire capitalist type, a hands-off fiscal conservative? If the former, then Mitt is your guy. He may not exactly reduce the size of government or expand market freedom, but hey, you want a skilled CEO running the country. If the latter, then you might be looking for someone else.

I think the only person who could truly unite much of the Republican Party AND appeal to outsiders is Ron Paul! Dr. Paul's support for laissez-faire economic policy and the free market makes him the classic fiscal conservative. (The economic policy favored by the neoconservatives is just another form of Keynesianism.) Ron Paul is a non-denominational Baptist, staunchly pro-life, and he married only one woman, and unlike Giuliani, Thompson, or McCain and their trophy wives, Dr. Paul's wife is about as old as he is. Romney's weakness is that he lacks honesty, integrity, and humility. Paul's weakness is that he has an overabundance of all three!

You can divide the GOP by prioritized issues (social conservatives, fiscal conservatives, etc.) or by ideology (libertarians, paleoconservatives, constitutionalists, centrists). People associated with the Constitution Party, Libertarian Party, U.S. Taxpayers' Union, and the Liberty Caucus of the Republican Party would unanimously vote for Dr. Ron Paul. Social conservatives will relate to Ron Paul's pro-life credentials and his marital fidelity. Fiscal conservatives to his laissez-faire policy and his solution to tackle inflation.

The naysayers in the corporate media see Ron Paul as a challenge to their uncontested power. The naysayers in the GOP know that a Ron Paul presidency would end neoconservatism. But if the neoconservative ideology is the right current for the GOP, why not run Dick Cheney?

@ Bill Culver from Covington, LA:

It is obvious by your choice of candidate that your key priority is ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION. But why do you so callously dismiss Ron Paul, the only viable candidate with a serious stance on that issue? Is it because he is not war-mongerer? Because he won't kill enough Muslims? I can tell that you are upset that Tom Tancredo (who was no doubt your first pick) left the race. That is why you go with the candidate he was duped into supporting. Mitt Romney flip-flopped on the issue of illegal immigration (like he did on virtually every issue) to match up with Tancredo, Hunter, and Paul. And Duncan Hunter is a nut who can't get elected dog catcher. Why do you dismiss Ron Paul as "flower child crap"? Because he prefers peace to perpetual war? The Dunkkkan Hunters and Tom Tankkkredos of the world are fools! How can anyone secure American borders when the National Guard is holed up in the Mid-East? You can defend the Republic or expand the Empire, but you can not have it both ways. Ron Paul and John McCain agree. The only difference is a matter of priority Empire (pro-amnesty, pro-war McCain) or Republic (pro-peace, pro-stability Paul)?

Roger   January 14th, 2008 8:34 pm ET

Come on people! Do you really think you elect a President. You are only allowed to vote for one out of two people selected by the power brokers and if you make the wrong choice votes are lost or the Supreme Court makes the choice to get the pre-selected person in the White House.

sandy   January 14th, 2008 7:45 pm ET

He is one of the most phoney men I have ever seen.

Nate   January 14th, 2008 7:35 pm ET

Doug, actually, Romney will not bring Mass. to the Republicans in the general. Aside from that state ALWAYS voting Democrat in presidentials, people in MA can't stand Romney. My brother and several friends and family members live in Mass, from Boston to Worcester to Springfield, and none of them like him. Even some of my conservative friends can't stand him. I'm not stating my preference for candidate, just wanted to correct what I thought was an inaccuracy in your statement.

Mechelle   January 14th, 2008 7:33 pm ET

Every one voting should be required to take a course and study each candidate's position (each candidate is asked the very same questions). Rhetoric would not be allowed. They would have to lay out the specifics in their plans and put it in writing. (Yeah, like a college exam.)

I am so sick of the "popularity" contest approach.

She's a woman, I'm for women's rights. He's a Catholic, I can trust him. He's from the South, we need southern gentlemen to run this country, he's presidential looking, etc.

Pleeeeease!!!! Do your homework citizens! We should outlaw tv commercials as it appears that is the only source of information for most voters! American's are so lazy. No wonder we end up with losers running the country…reminds me of high school!

Gobama   January 14th, 2008 7:18 pm ET

A-B-C - ANYONE BUT CLINTON!

STATUS QUO MUST GO!

NO CLINTON 3rd TERM!

NO MORE FOULING OF THE WHITE HOUSE NEST!

NO MORE UNDERMINING OF US PRESIDENCY!

Teacher   January 14th, 2008 7:12 pm ET

I would rather have 5th graders voting than the people of Florida.

Patty D.   January 14th, 2008 7:06 pm ET

Rudy exploited 911. That is why you see McCain beating everyone. The Republicans aren't happy with their candidates. It is that simple.

Bill from Denver   January 14th, 2008 6:43 pm ET

Doug you nailed it all right on. Mitt Romney is by far the best choice and his values far exceed that of any other candidate. He is a very strong business leader and will fix this country from top to bottom.
VOTE MITT ROMNEY 2008 to secure the future of your children.

nobama   January 14th, 2008 6:13 pm ET

looks as if in some states the Repub prim is going to be neck-n-neck. Just wish the Dem side would be close, but THAT one is so lopsided since hillary inserted foot in mouth yet again, that it won't be as fun to watch!

Norm   January 14th, 2008 6:10 pm ET

Has anyone spent any time teaching the people of Florida how to vote?

Anonymous   January 14th, 2008 6:08 pm ET

Romney won't win Massachusetts period.

V.   January 14th, 2008 5:58 pm ET

Rudy Giuliani's campaign is finished. The fact that he could not maintain a lead in a state where he is focusing ALL of his resources, is simply pathetic. Even if he wins it there, he's spent all of his money just to win by (more than likely) 2-3% of the vote. This is the end of Rudy and although I want him to be the Republican Nominee, it is likely that will go to Huckabee, Romney, or McCain.

John Stewart   January 14th, 2008 5:54 pm ET

Don't forget Sen. Clinton's vote for Iraq war in Oct. 2002. The best candidate for 2008 would be Mayor Bloomberg. I worked for Goldwater in '64 and none of the 2008 crop are near equal to the late senator. Bloomberg is the closest.

Bill Culver, Covington,LA   January 14th, 2008 5:50 pm ET

If you are realy interested in a winning combination, work for a Mitt Romney / Duncan Hunter ticket. Get off this flower child Ron Paul crap.

azille   January 14th, 2008 5:32 pm ET

America wake up please wake up, race issues evangelicals issue who say what and when all these hopla is to divert the american people from the real issues at hand. Please America ask the right questions. For example ask the candiadtes where they stand on wealthfare and the deploring education sysytem. The immigration issue is a dead letter nothing is going to happen, well I believed Huckabbe when he said AND i QUOTE I will follow bin laden to hell if I have to. Americans wake up lets find out where they stand right now on the major issues instead of waiting for them to be the nominee and force you to make a decision you dont want make. Wake up!!!

Eric   January 14th, 2008 5:25 pm ET

Huckabee will carry Florida and Rudy will have to bow out.

Leo   January 14th, 2008 5:20 pm ET

can you please explain to me why Rudy doesn't have 527 groups pushing and promoting HEAVILY his 9-11 credentials?
Rudy was on top of the GOP because of that
but now they are too careful not to use it

you MUST go all out with unaffiliated 527 groups screeching and promoting heavily , remind EVERYONE that RUDY is OUR HERO
remind EVERYONE that RUDY was the ONLY voice of reason and clam during those TOUGH years
remind EVERYONE that RUDY was a HERO not because 9-11 but because he was a HERO for NY before 9-11 thus he was natural hero on 9-11 as well
why haven't we seen ONE single TV ad showing Rudy's news conference during those days , Rudy claming the city and the nation..

LEARN from the pro's Huckabee does it with Trust Huck, and others do it too.. The campaign can easily claim that it's not approved by the campaign and distances yourself from it ..but the WORLD must see
it troubles me top see Rudy falling so far behind and almost neck n neck with Romney

Paul, Philadelphia   January 14th, 2008 5:17 pm ET

First of all, Paul Sanders of Huntsville Alabama is clearly an idiot.

Second of all, is this the worst picture of any candidate so far since the campaigning began? My god, Rudy looks horrible. I know the press is neutral, but could they at least avoid using horrible shots?

dpkennedy   January 14th, 2008 5:15 pm ET

Well, thank you for part of the news, but you left out Ron Paul.

If I can watch your shows, and visit you on the web, you can include him in your poll updates.

Why wouldn't you? Too much ink? Come on.

beckie   January 14th, 2008 5:08 pm ET

Doug:

I agree with you about Mitt being a very honest family man, I think he would do a great job, but I am scared he will not win the Rep. nomination. All of this is really beginning to worry me….

Anna   January 14th, 2008 5:05 pm ET

In spite of the hullabaloo about the statement made by HIllary Clinton, and remember she made the statement marginalizing Martin Luther King, Jr. The problem is that, like Geo. W. Bush, the Clintons say and do things without realizing their impact. What I find more difficult is that Candy Crowly would show the clip of Bob Johnson and Bill Clinton defending Hillary. Bob Johnson made his fortune degrading women on BET. I guess he is in the right camp afterall. Not to mention Bill Clinton making the "fairytale" remark about Obama. The same Bill Clinton who shook his finger at the New Hampshire voters, the same finger he used when he told "us" "I did not have sex with 'That" woman." That was the real "fairytale." The Clintons will do anything, say anything, to gain power. Hillary allowed Bill's behavior because she had her eyes set on the presidency; because of her own self-interest. Insodoing, she allowed Bill Clinton to disgrace the Office of the President, the country, her ,and her daughter. Where was her strength or her principles then? Yes, principles count! Yes. judgement counts! That is what this debate should be about. The Clintons pushed for NAFTA, Favorite Nation Status for China, resulting in bad trade deals. and the loss of American jobs. It was Clinton who allowed the Treasury Sec'y. to manipulate the banking system to allow speculation in the financial markets. This led to the melt down in the Real Estate Markets and created the enviornment for sub-prime loans. Many families are suffering as a result, black and white. The Democrats will loose if they participate in this "race" game. It has nothing to do with real life. It's time for the American people to vote their "interest" and not pay attention to "strawmen" designed to distract from the real Clinton Record.

All presidents need the support of the Congress to accomplish things they want done. I think Obama has the right concept of building support among the American people, who will put pressure upon the Congress in order to get things done. Hillary's display of "uncontrollability", that is, "loosing it" when she is under pressure is not indicative of a consensus builder..

sarahw   January 14th, 2008 5:01 pm ET

GO RUDY

Michael   January 14th, 2008 4:55 pm ET

Huckabee/McCain 2008!

Lev Klinemann, CA   January 14th, 2008 4:54 pm ET

I havent seen anything fall as fast as Rudy's campaign since the proposed privatization of the social security by Bush, and Bush had "capital.

hahahahahahahahahahahahahahah

Joao Hernandez   January 14th, 2008 4:53 pm ET

George W Bush should change the 22nd Amendment and run for a third term. Apart from some crazies in the South (those who don't have passports or read books), would anybody vote for him?

Lauren Bates   January 14th, 2008 4:52 pm ET

Ron Paul. All the others are not worthy. I'm sorry the media and it's allies have confused the public, but he is our only hope. Why don't you see other signs in the cities? It's because no one is really for these other candidates.

ron paul supporter   January 14th, 2008 4:38 pm ET

do you think he'd be willing to asl Dr. Paul to spot him if he read the 911 commision report??

rudy.. what a loser and scary fascist at that

(GOP) IGNORANCE IS BLISS   January 14th, 2008 4:37 pm ET

Communism???? Has the Bush machine really brainwashed you?

There's a reason why Republicans are running scared. They're doing so because the majority of Americans (even from polls on Fox News Channel), that Bush's approval ratings are consistently low.

Let's not forget, among many other things, "WMDs" as the reason for going to war in Iraq. (And before one of you tells me that Kerry in 04 or Hillary for 08 both voted for it, lets remember that usually, when a President informs the Congress that there are WMDs, it should go across party lines. A President should not lie, and why? To finish what Daddy started? How many THOUSANDS of American troops are dead thanks to this fool?

Seriously,

Only an idiot would vote for one. The more they are like Bush, the more they will be creamed in the 08 election.

Dennis   January 14th, 2008 4:34 pm ET

It's Time!

OK, I realize that W has dramatically altered what Americans had known as a democracy. Some call it a dictatorship, others call it a theocracy, yet others call it neo-fascism. However, I really feel that there's another movement going on - a movement to sustain an autocracy. We have been governed by either a Bush or a Clinton since 1989! That 19 years of the same two families ruling, and if Hillary wins, that could be close to a quarter century controlled by two families!

Isn't it time we repel the autocracy and vote for a fresh perspective? Isn't Barack Obama the person who best fits the bill?

Please…no more Bushes or Clintons!

John   January 14th, 2008 4:32 pm ET

Holy cow! That's a lot of bigots in that picture!

J Houston, TX   January 14th, 2008 4:31 pm ET

Romney/Giuliani would be my ticket of choice at the moment. Mitt has great economic experience and Rudy has the balls to get things done. They are both great orators and individuals capable of convincing people to stop bickering and start working together.

It is indeed time for change. Time to stop giving away checks to anyone that knocks on the door. Time to stop wasting government money on social security programs that watch seniors have their money stolen for overinflated health costs (My grandmother spends over 5000 a month to live in assisted living). It's time to stop taxing American businessees and start taxing imports from low cost labor countries! It's time to renew the drive for manufacturing in the US and push technology ahead of the service sector. It's time to drop horrible foreign trade policies like NATO and start protecting ourselves. I'd rather pay my neighbor a few bucks more to make a car than get a deal from a foreign manufacturer!

Hell if I could have it my way, Lou Dobbs would make a run.

ann   January 14th, 2008 4:28 pm ET

I wish people would look at history before assuming that Massachusetts will vote Republican if Romney is the nominee. It won't. Massachusetts has a long history of Republican governors, especially when voters are tired of the shenannigans of the Democratically controlled legislature. Most recently, Republican governors served from l988 until 2007. One of them was Romney and he served one term, during which he was out of state campaigning for president for two thirds of the time. People were so fed up with him, they voted in a Democrat. The universal health care plan is a mess. And now he's trying to buy the presidency, outspending all others by large margins. He has had great personal success in the private sector, but he does not know how to work with legislators. It is laughable to think he will bring Congress under his control.

Del   January 14th, 2008 4:19 pm ET

Rudy carries as much questionable garbage with him as the clintons. On 9/11 he was the mayor , he was doing his job nothing more. Something as terrible as that , one has to do what they think is best, mistakes will be made but good decisions will be made also. But any mayor of a large city would have responded the same way at the time . Can't rely on past experiences on that one. But all that doesn't produce presidential material. He was a mayor. Also some people would like to know what he's been telling the illegals in Florida . Is he telling them how he plans to handle the illegal imigration there??? Is he like the clintons depends on where they are as to what they are saying. But if it upsets anyone they will deny it tomorrow.and say they were misunderstood For the Americans citzens it seems to be a losing battle all the way around.

Little Dave - AZ   January 14th, 2008 4:17 pm ET

Am I the only one that finds all of these super close races a little odd?? Is it because the polls are all skewed and nobody wants to take the heat for being wrong? I mean - how is this even statistically possible? It happens way too often.

Paul Sanders Huntsville Alabama   January 14th, 2008 4:12 pm ET

This nation was formed on the premis of the Constitution, not a welfare, wealth redistribution society. Wake up America, do you really want Communism?

FATillery   January 14th, 2008 4:11 pm ET

If Mr. Giuliani only raised enough money to "cherry pick" which states he would campaign, then he should not even be in the race. Every state deserves to take a look at prospective candidates in order to see if he/she is worthy of the Presidency. Remember, they are runnning for the President of the United States, not of just Florida or South Carolina.

When you campaign in states, your message should hopefully allow you to raise more money to continue in other states. If not, you are probably not the person to lead our nation. Unfortunately, money is almost the same as votes in this race. If you are not adding to your campaign funds, it seems to me that the populace is not really excited about you or your message.

Those states you skipped have delegates that will be present at the National Convention. What are they to think of you when you did not even come to their state?

By the way, do you know that our current President has never visited the State of Vermont in the nearly eight years he has been in office? What a shame! Are they not a part of our nation?

I wish there would come a time when the Presidency rises above any Political Party. When you are the President, you represent the entire nation not just the Red or Blue states that favor you.

Just a thought…

FATillery

G, Margate, FL   January 14th, 2008 4:04 pm ET

before 9/11 I did not know who Rudy was and can somebody tell me what has he done to make him qualify to president? I would rather cast my vote for Mr Ron Paul.

Mike   January 14th, 2008 4:01 pm ET

Im voting Obama…. Only obama, I refuse to let another republican get the white house and shape it to their needs unless the democratic nominee is Sen. Clinton. I even more dont like the fact of a Clinton back in office.

Terry, El Paso, TX   January 14th, 2008 3:52 pm ET

Doug wrote: "Romney knows how the economy works and how to bring our jobs back! No illegal aliens will be given amnesty with Romney in the White House. They will be sent home."

Doug it is the Conservative Republicans who have kept the border open to illegal immigrants. While many Democrats would happily stamp "Citizen" on the back of their hands as illegal immigrants come over the fence, Corporate Conservatives - who call the shots in the Republican Party - prefer illegals. No social security payments, no record keeping, no OSHA, no oversight, no minimum wage, no nothing. Why do you think NOTHING regarding immigration was accomplished when Republicans controlled the Presidency, the Senate, and the House. Because they didn't think of it?

Rank-and-file conservatives like you have been sold a bill of goods by the Conservative leadership. You vote for a flag burning amendment and you get open borders. You vote against gay marriage and you get a multi-trillion dollar deficit. You vote for prayer in the schools and you get polluted air. You vote against abortion and you lose your health insurance. And where is the flag burning amendment, the anti-abortion laws, the fiscal "conservatism" and the marriage amendment? Conservative leaders don't have the time or the interest after they hayseeds have put them back in office. How many times are you suckers going to fall for the same con job?

If Romney wins, he will do NOTHING about illegal immigration. It would hurt profits.

peggy   January 14th, 2008 3:50 pm ET

What A merica needs are two clean candidates without hx. following them.A neat combo would be Edwards and Huckabee.THAT WOULD BE A DIFFICULT CHOICE!!

Rob   January 14th, 2008 3:46 pm ET

Its really time to look at the most qualified candidate without the media bias that has been put against him recently.

Mitt Romney raised the most money in the beginning (and maybe even still now) and used it to get his name out there, because he really has a desire to help America become a better place for our families.

The press have made him the poster child of "Negative Advertising" and McCain and Huckabee have used that to their advantage, firing personal insults his way every chance they get.

The truth is that Now that McCain is seeing real funds for the first time, he is using them the same exact way that he accuses Mitt Romney of using his funds. Its shameful for McCain, considering the amount of whining and complaining to the press and supporters.

Lets do the right thing, and support someone that can truly run a country, not a man who supports the current system in Washington and embraces it every chance he gets. We need real change from a real republican, and only Mitt Romney can give us that.

wordslinger   January 14th, 2008 3:44 pm ET

Giuliani's campaign always perplexed me. You can't win by losing. It's like resting your starters before the playoffs. You've got to go all out to the end.

Doug   January 14th, 2008 3:40 pm ET

Sorry, $379 of debt in my post above should have read $379 million of debt.

Jeff Janoff   January 14th, 2008 3:38 pm ET

Please check you grammer:

Giuliani has focused the majority of his campaign resources in Florida, which votes January 29, deciding to largely bypass many of the states that vote earlier in the presidential primary calendar but are worth significantly "less" delegates.

"less" should be changed to "fewer"

Joseph Balletta   January 14th, 2008 3:35 pm ET

We have seen already that polls don't mean anything when peoples sensibilites can be changed by t polls overnight. I don't think we should judge a candidate by polls but through sustantial debates and not the ones that are telecast now!

tim   January 14th, 2008 3:28 pm ET

Doug, I'm proud of you man. It seems like nobody else gets it. You hit it right on the money. Romney all the way babie! Let's change Washington and America and the World for good!

Peter   January 14th, 2008 3:25 pm ET

Florida should not punish democrats. Obama have my vote. I live in florida and would like to vote for him. If Hillary get nominated, I hope Micheal Bloomberg comes into the race since I don't want to vote republican.

Nando, Florida   January 14th, 2008 3:25 pm ET

Those are all his Staffers for a Media shot, They had just left Denny's becuase he is running out of money and said he would try to Back Pay them on 9-11.

Ivelisse   January 14th, 2008 3:17 pm ET

if Rudy looses Fl, he is toasted…. he is gambling BIG TIME depending in only one state to keep his candidacy alive come Super Tuesday….

Mit is pathetic….2 second places, after MILLIONS of dollars in campaign says a lot about him….

Fred is too lazy to go anywhere….

Ron Paul have a lot of good qualities, but is not making any head way….

come Super Tuesday, this will be between Huckabee and McCain…..

Val Davydov   January 14th, 2008 3:17 pm ET

Doug,

Well done. I agree with you 100%.

veronica   January 14th, 2008 3:13 pm ET

Bye Bye Rudy!

J.Crobuzon   January 14th, 2008 3:12 pm ET

Fred Thompson is running for president? Are you kidding me?

grant   January 14th, 2008 3:12 pm ET

He has no money; he went to new hanpshire 126 times and spent millions of dollars only to watch his numbers drop. this strategy is by default, not design.

Mark   January 14th, 2008 3:09 pm ET

What's a "dominate" lead? I assume you mean a "dominant" one. Honestly, you'd think professionals could get this stuff right… it's bad enough when laypeople mess it up.

William Decker   January 14th, 2008 3:08 pm ET

Rudy, You're finished, kaput, down and out. What idiot told you that you could slump off Iowa, nh, carolina, mich, etc. without harming your candidacy? You've become an afterthought, expendable, trivial and forgotten. BTW….Ask any ny/nj resident what they thought of you on 9/10, 2001. After you get the answer you may understand why even transplanted nyers can't stomach the thought of a Giuliani presidency.

Rudy Who?   January 14th, 2008 3:05 pm ET

Go Ron Paul !

warren-Mich   January 14th, 2008 3:04 pm ET

It seems to me that if McCain wins Mich and S.C. he will lock up the nomination before Florida or use Florida to cap it off.
The Dems may actually battle thru Fla and the super tues primaries while the gop may settle on a candidate (assumes McCain at 71 or 72 remains alive thru the convention)

Douglas   January 14th, 2008 3:00 pm ET

Rudy….Rudy….Rudy….from an " OLD " movie…
You can dress up for the game…but you won't be playing today !!!

Joe Vanderbosch, Appleton, WI   January 14th, 2008 2:57 pm ET

I guess Floridians are not as impressed as Rudy would hope for in his constant three words he shells out all the time, "A noun, a verb, and 9/11″.

Scott   January 14th, 2008 2:57 pm ET

Romney and Rudy are both finding out that just "being there" early and spending lots of money doesn't translate into votes - Voters actually have to agree with your positions and there is a definite ceiling to that number.

Giuliani probably could have spent half the time he spend in FL in the early states and been in the same FL position but a much higher IO & NH position. I don't think anyone will be trying his strategy in 2012.

ben' ny.NY   January 14th, 2008 2:54 pm ET

fred and rudy that's winning tkt

Shannon Shiflett   January 14th, 2008 2:47 pm ET

I don't think you can be a decent human being and still vote for a republican in this election after what they have done to our great country.

Attacked by the Establishment   January 14th, 2008 2:46 pm ET

Ol Rudy could moved down there and not win! Ron Paul will wind up with more votes and might even beat Ol Fred!

Doug   January 14th, 2008 2:44 pm ET

Democrats will win in 2008 if Giuliani is our nominee. Instead, we need a balanced candidate. We need a candidate that unites the Republicans. That candidate must bring the fiscal, security, and social conservatives together. It’s the only way we can win.

Huckabee brings only the social conservatives.

Giuliani brings only the security conservatives.

McCain brings security conservatives. But the Republican base despises him, for good reason.

Mitt Romney can unite all 3 wings of the Republican Party. And he is the smartest candidate.

Please consider Romney’s qualifications. He graduated as Valedictorian from BYU. Romney then graduated in the top 5% from Harvard, earning an MBA with honors. Mitt Romney does not drink, smoke, or swear, He is a wholesome family man who married his high school sweetheart. He is a successful businessman. He founded one of the nation's most successful venture capital and investment companies. They guided many struggling companies to success. He turned around the 2002 Winter Olympic Games that had been sinking with $379 of debt. The games ended up with $100 million in profit and Romney donated all his salary to charity.

As the successful Governor of Massachusetts, Mitt implemented a health care plan that covers all residents and costs less to the state than before it was started. He would bring that blue Democratic state to the Republicans in the general election. Most of all,

Romney knows how the economy works and how to bring our jobs back! No illegal aliens will be given amnesty with Romney in the White House. They will be sent home.

The Democratic National Committee, fears a Mitt Romney nomination. That is why they rally their operatives in the media to pump up his rivals. Don’t fall for it.

I really believe Mitt is the best man for the job!!

G.T.O,   January 14th, 2008 2:40 pm ET

I can see Rudy now passing out the I will free Havana bumper stickers.

Hershel   January 14th, 2008 2:38 pm ET

I hope Rudy's strategy plays out to be as good as he thought, but conventional wisdom dictates that he ought to have gone to the early states to at least remain on the screen… that’s free advertising!

sal lincoln nebraska   January 14th, 2008 2:37 pm ET

Watch out the most corrupt of the bunch MR. RUDY NO ONE LIKES ME IN NEW YORK AND NO MAJOR NEWSPAPER WILL TELL THE REST OF THE NATION WHAT IM REALLY LIKE GULIANI has been spending all his time and money in florida. Why? you may ask, why hasnt he been campaigning with the rest of them in the other elections, well you dont need to get the popular vote in this country to win an election the goatdance electoral college will tell us who we want for them, so why campaign in a state like nebraska that has no few votes, when you can go for new york and florida and california. So watch out the most corrupt of them all has been doing his dirty business down there, FRAUD FRAUD FRAUD REMEMBER 2000 AND GEORGE BUSH

Mario   January 14th, 2008 2:37 pm ET

Go Mitt! don't vote for insane McCain, he wants to let illegal aliens into this country and has a bad habit of not remembering where he is, he is to old.

Hickupbee is a lost idiot.

Go Mitt!

Attacked by the Establishment   January 14th, 2008 2:35 pm ET

I think Ron Paul will have a lot to say about who winds up where after election night! As I watch the evening news every day and I see how far down the toilet we have taken this country since the 60s, I can understand why the two party system is a joke. The Dems are kissing the rear ends of people who already have special laws made just for them so why should they play the game. (Hillary will win on the Dem side) Caucasians in this country Dem or otherwise do not respect people who have special laws and rules made just for that group of people so they will not vote for minorities especially on a national level. Now, if the powers within the socialist fabric of our government that run everything can somehow bring themselves to do away with the divisive laws and rules such as so called civil rights laws (passed against Southern States only), Affirmative Action Laws (passed against all others except Africans) and quota systems (same as AAL) then maybe we can get on to the business of working together in this country. But that may not happen because radicals on both sides would have nothing to gain by creating peace and cooperation between the people of this country.

Ron Paul is the only candidate willing to tell the truth and if truth trumps everything else in this world then perhaps the people will see the light before we get more of the SOS.

Don't waste your money put it on the man with a plan- Ron Paul

Wayne, Greenville TX   January 14th, 2008 2:35 pm ET

In other words, they're all tied for fourth place…. :-)

John S. Maine   January 14th, 2008 2:29 pm ET

Mitt will win or come a close second in Michigan and continue to pick up more delegates and carry the popular vote into Florida and beyond.

Mitt Romney is the most competent and qualified leader in the race. He is honest and has plans to unite our Country to be stronger and vibrant!

Mitt Romney in 2008!

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