In GOP presidential race, McCain slips; Giuliani gains luster

[jefferson_dem]

Know thine enemy...

In GOP presidential race, McCain slips; Giuliani gains luster

McCain's favorability has dropped below 50 percent for the first time since 1999, presumably over his support for the Iraq war.

By Linda Feldmann | Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor

WASHINGTON
In polls, the top two contenders for the 2008 Republican presidential nomination have long been Sen. John McCain of Arizona and former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani.

But pundits have tended to discount Mr. Giuliani's chances, given his liberal stands on social issues such as abortion and gay rights. Now, a combination of factors is forcing a new look at both Senator McCain's vulnerabilities, particularly over his steadfast support for an unpopular Iraq war, and Giuliani's potential to overcome weaknesses.

For the first time since October 1999, McCain's favorability rating among American voters has dropped below 50 percent. A Gallup poll taken last month showed him at 48 percent, down 6 points from November, and down from a high of 67 percent in February 2000. Giuliani, in contrast, has held above 60 percent favorability in Gallup polls, most recently at 62 percent. Now that Giuliani has signaled a serious intention to run, stating on Monday "I'm in this to win" as he filed papers with the Federal Election Commission, the comparisons grow in importance.

For Giuliani, winning over enough of the conservative Republican base to secure the nomination has long been seen as a potentially insurmountable task. But now, analysts say, it's possible that Republican-leaning independents could make the difference in the early GOP primaries.

<SNIP>

http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0208/p01s01-uspo.htm

[no_hypocrisy]

1. It's early. McCain hasn't gone after Giuliani --- and he will. n/t

[katmondoo]

2. Giulliani never said a word about the EPA announcement

saying the air quality was not dangerous from 9/11. I remember seeing him with a mask but not many who were working in the midst of the disaster.

[MasonJar]

3. If McCain does not end up the candidate, he gets what he deserves.

His hobnobbing with Bush as New Orleans drowned and died was unconscionable. He should have been saying, "We need to get to DC now to save NO." But, oh no, he was making Brownie points with the Radical Right. Guiliani is a sleaze ball, but at least he is a moderate, which does NOT matter unless we lose. Surely this country is not dumb enough to elect another Pug.

[lancdem]

4. I agree

McCain made his own bed, and now has to sleep in it.

[thereismore]

5. Well, looks to me like McCain will flip on the war thing then. Counting

1...2...3...

[BlueStater]

6. Couldn't happen to a more deserving guy

Fuck you, McCain.

[knight_of_the_star]

7. Giuliani won't last

McCain, Gingrich, and the rest will smear him until he doesn't even look remotely human.

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

8. Neither of them will

McCain is too alienating within the party, many Republicans just straight up hate him. Until he began pandering on Iraq there were active campaigns in motion to recall him in Arizona by Republicans.

Giuliani has personal issues that will alienate the jesus freaks, not even the skirt chasing, just the mere fact he has gay friends will be enough for them to ice him. The gun freaks and libertarians will also ice him.

I really suspect the republicans are going to play it safe with their base and run a complete lunatic. I joked about it weeks ago, but I think somebody like Duncan Hunter would be a possibility of the Republican machine deems him worthy.

The guy makes Bush look like FDR, but would probably provide for some entertainment during the campaign.