Giuliani: Primary process is a 'nine-inning game'
WASHINGTON (CNN) - Republican Rudy Giuliani defended his campaign strategy of focusing on primary states that vote later in the nominating calendar, telling CNN Wednesday that the compact primary schedule meant those voters would head to the polls far sooner than in earlier presidential cycles.
“[I]t's a big primary season compacted into a month," he told CNN's Wolf Blitzer. (Watch the interview)
The former New York City mayor also brushed aside polls from Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina - the first round of states that lead off the Republican presidential primary process - that show him trailing his GOP rivals. He also noted that he leads in most of the states that are set to vote February 5.
“Right now I'm ahead in probably 18, 19, 20 of the 28, 29 states [to vote February 5 or earlier]," he said. "That's a pretty good position to be in."
But Giuliani refused to concede he may lose the first round of contests, saying of the primary process, "I kind of look at it as a nine-inning game."
- CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney
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I think Rudy is sinking, he is backpeddling and he is just trying not to say the wrong thing. if he believes that torture is the right approach then just say it, state your case and let the American public decide. We can't be the moral authority in the world if we ourselves can't be held to a higher standard!
WOW, one appearance on CNN and two stories! It doesn't get any better than that does it?
His strategy is logical, but it could easily backfire. Huckabee poses a threat. A strong finish in Iowa and South Carolina for Huckabee could give him the momentum to bulldoze right over Giuliani, leaving him to wonder what the hell just happened. Then of course there's Romney, McCain, Thompson, even Ron Paul. If Paul finishes above Giuliani in Iowa or New Hampshire, that would be horribly embarrassing and could deflate the Giuliani campaign. The theatre is wide open, but I have a feeling Giuliani knows what he's doing.
Nine-inning game? Maybe Rudy needs a shot of HGH to play through the pain of slumping in the polls.
Grab some pine, Rudy!
Yeah Rudy, but when you lose the first 8 innings, the 9th inning is pretty much meaningless.
The Democrats or the Republicans...
The voice of the running independents and the third party candidates are not supported by few media stations.
It is their right to do so but again a general conspiracy is suggested of support for the system of a presidential overlordship currently defiling the Constitution with the party model.
who's your favorite Party candidate for Emperor?
I consider myself quite a loyal Republican but if Rudy gets the nom I will stay home on election night. He needs to understand the GOP is Pro-Life. The fact that we are even considering abandoning our core beliefs disgusts me. Maybe Rudy is stronger in a general election. But you know, standing up for what is right is noble. Becoming more like the Dems just to win is downright disgraceful! We are the party that abolished slavery. We are so much better than Rudy Giuliani. Is the GOP ready for the party faithful to protest the GOP convention? Mark my words, that will happen if Rudy is the winner.
9 11 9 11 I was a mayor, that is all.
Is marriage a nine inning game too, Rudy? If so you going to bring in a relief wife next year? Switch hitter?
Platitudes and political ramblings seem to be your forte.
the unfortunate baseball metaphor just reminds people of scandals ... the games and his ... (state troopers walking his mistress's dog) as well as his fleeting loyalty to one baseball team or the other ... New Yorkers have long memories, Rudy.
Character is what it's all about ... just ask Bernie – by the way ... is the decade Bernie should be water boarded so we'll know the truth about you two?
Oaine from Washington:
It's true the Repubs abolished slavery. But can you name one other thing they did for the PEOPLE since then. Nixon did give the vote to 18 year olds. Big Deal. What ever happened to a a government OF the People, BY the people and FOR the people?
Rudy may feel that he is ahead in 20 of the 29 states of SUPER Tuesday and he may be right. But the polls nationally tell a different story:
http://caffertyfile.blogs.cnn.com/2007/12/20/a-gop-free-for-all/