Giuliani Looks to Restart Campaign

[brooklynite]

Source: ABC News

Saturday morning at the Tampa Convention Center, Rudy Giuliani will attempt a sort of rebranding of his campaign with the theme "Tested. Ready. Now."

The idea is to emphasize his leadership skills and regain some of the momentum the former New York City mayor lost as his national poll numbers slipped -- though he remains in the lead -- and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee's campaign ascended.

"America needs a leader," the author of the book titled "Leadership" will say, according to excerpts of his prepared remarks provided by the campaign. "I am running for president of the United States because I believe that I can lead America into a new era with bold leadership, optimism, determination and distinctly American solutions."

That the speech will be delivered in the Sunshine State -- which is holding its primary Jan. 29 -- is not a coincidence. Giuliani's campaign has long banked on winning in Florida, where he leads in current polls, and then cleaning up in the sort of national primary Feb. 5, "Super Duper Tuesday," when more than 20 states are holding contests.

Read more: http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/story?id=4003147&pag...

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Then again, as Lawrence O'Donnell points out, who's going to be paying attention to political events not in Iowa or Florida?

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. Good luck with that, Rudy.

Let us know how it turns out.

[JeffR]

2. 9/11, 9/11, 9/11, 9/11, 9/11, 9/11... damn it to hell!

Just can't get 'er to turn over!

[Mz Pip]

3. I think he wore

that model out. Kind of like the Edsel. Seemed like a winner at the time...

Mz Pip

[JeffR]

4. It was stupid of him to embark on this expedition without a

back-up vehicle.

[pinto]

5. I still love Biden's take on Giuliani's campaign rhetoric:

"A noun, a verb and 9/11."

[speedoo]

6. He's toast.

He's not even leading in Florida anymore. And he must win Florida to be a viable candidate.

[leftynyc]

12. And Florida was his firewall

He was always prepared to lose Iowa, NH and SC. He was counting on Florida to carry him to 2/5. I thought for sure he was sailing to the nomination. Now, I have no idea who the nominee will be (on either side).

[Terry_M]

7. Nine Eleven

[struggle4progress]

8. He'll find plenty of nearby cranks

[Ilsa]

9. With a wig and a dress on, even the stupidest GOPer will know it is you, Rudy. Don't bother. nt

[MilesColtrane]

10. Fortunately there's plenty of squirrels in the Republican party to replace...

...the torpid ones under his hood.

[Orsino]

11. He wants a do-over.

The Republican sense of entitlement is breath-taking.

[boricua79]

13. what's to restart

you're a fake 9/11 hero
you used government agencies to ferry around your girlfriend
you have corrupt connections to people like Bernard Kerik
and you cross dress.
and you're running as a Republican

Strike 5! You're out...double time!

[trof]

14. Question now: Jumper cables? Or defibrillator?

[tom_paine]

15. Now that 9/11ani has his Bushie Protection from prosecution and conviction

he will walk "mysteriously" away from Nathangat, which contains at least one felony for which the same thing Hevesi got convicted and fined half a million dollars plus probation...

Now that 9/11ani has walked away from what, for a Democrat would have meant arrest and conviction, let alone being able to remain in the Imperial campaign as if nothing happened, he most certainly will resume his position as frontrunner once the National ADD kicks into gear.

That is what it means to be a Royal Bushie Chosen Successor.

[aquart]

16. I don't believe he's George's choice for a second.

George is not the type to ever forgive that "America's Mayor" cover.

[bklyncowgirl]

19. No, Shrub can't be too fond of the "Hero of 9/11"

Not only did Rudy upstage the Commander IN Chief but he recommends his crooked pal Bernie Kerik for Homeland Security chief. No love lost there.

[Historic NY]

17. Yawn, stick a fork in him.

[gratuitous]

18. Fascinating

I read the entire article posted by ABC, looking for the word "struggling" or "floundering" or some other verb that would indicate that the Giuliani campaign is sort of stuck or in trouble. Nope. There is one mention of losing (but not lost) momentum, but not even the hint of a breath of trouble in the entire article.

Compare and contrast with reportage on any of the Democratic candidates, who have all similarly seen an ebb and flow to their campaigns, and the language used to describe any of the inevitable ebbs in their campaigns. Instead, the article is at pains to say that Giuliani's long term strategy is sound, and that he will compete nationally. Seen any such analysis for any Democratic candidate? I think not.

[rAVES]

20. You cant polish a Turd Rudy boy!

[Vinca]

21. It's time for Rudy to get back on the rubber chicken circuit and

earn money to keep Judy's Baby Louis handbag in a first class seat of its own.