Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Why Rudy Fell So Far, So Fast

Did voters see too little of him, or more than enough?

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 30, 2008 7:05 AM CST

(Newser) – How did the man who took summer polls by storm fall so precipitously in the esteem of GOP voters that he was finished by Florida, the state he chose for his first big victory? It could be the hubris, the inexperienced campaign team, the strategic mistakes—or it could be that "the more Republican voters saw of Mr. Giuliani, the less they wanted to vote for him," conclude Michael Powell and Michael Cooper in the New York Times.

Those early numbers “were built on name recognition and celebrity,” one adviser admits.
It "bordered on science fiction to think that someone as liberal on as many issues as Rudy Giuliani could become the Republican nominee,” said a GOP consultant. When he tried to move to the right, he took “a muddled middle ground that pleased no one,” write Powell and Cooper. And perhaps he sealed his fate by “retreating” to Florida, leaving New Hampshire and Michigan  for his rivals to scoop up.

Republican presidential hopeful former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, right, gets a kiss from his wife Judith, after speaking to a group of supporters in Orlando, Fla., Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2008.(AP Photo/John Raoux)
Republican presidential hopeful former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, right, gets a kiss from his wife Judith, after speaking to a group of supporters in Orlando, Fla., Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2008.(AP...   (Associated Press)
Republican presidential hopeful, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, talks to supporters after conceding the Florida Republican primary at his election watch headquarters in Orlando, Fla., Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2008. Left is his wife Judith. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Republican presidential hopeful, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, talks to supporters after conceding the Florida Republican primary at his election watch headquarters in Orlando, Fla., Tuesday,...   (Associated Press)
Posters and discarded drinks sit on a table after Republican presidential hopeful, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, talked to supporters after conceding the Florida Republican primary at his election watch headquarters in Orlando, Fla., Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2008. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Posters and discarded drinks sit on a table after Republican presidential hopeful, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, talked to supporters after conceding the Florida Republican primary at his...   (Associated Press)
Supporters listen as Republican presidential hopeful, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, speaks after conceding the Florida Republican primary at his election watch headquarters in Orlando, Fla., Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2008. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Supporters listen as Republican presidential hopeful, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, speaks after conceding the Florida Republican primary at his election watch headquarters in Orlando, Fla.,...   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

More Newser Stories

Bloomberg Will Officiate Gay Wedding of 2 Aides

GOP Wants Crist Out of Florida Senate Race

Rudy Weighs NY Governor Race

Giuliani Will Stump for GOP, for a Price

Governator Endorses McCain


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne