Prospects of a Rudy Giuliani win in Florida are not looking good as the largely dormant candidate finally tries to spark public interest while other Republican contenders build on already established momentum.
Giuliani, who finished in single digits in every contest so far, took a political gamble by basically skipping out in early voting states to pursue Florida and Super Tuesday states. The former New York City mayor has called the sunny state “crucial” and experts widely think a loss would badly damaged or even cut short his campaign.
New polls out Thursday show Giuliani competing for third with financially exhausted Mike Huckabee, who is barely campaigning in the state, and behind John McCain and Mitt Romney who are in a head-to-head battle for first place.
“Rudy has fallen like the Dow Jones industrial average,” Bill Adair, chief editor of the St. Petersburg Times, said on CNN’s “American Morning.” “What’s happened is he gambled on Florida and put all his chips on Florida, and it’s beginning to look like he gambled wrong.”
Last fall, Giuliani had been the party’s frontrunner and expected shoo-in for the Republican nomination. Talks of Giuliani representing the Republican Party sparked outrage among conservatives who threatened to abandon the party if the pro-abortion and pro-gay rights former mayor was selected.
Fear of a Giuliani-led Republican party mobilized a small group of pro-family leaders – that included Dr. James Dobson of Focus on the Family and Tony Perkins of Family Research Council – to hold a closed door meeting about the idea of launching and endorsing a third party candidate.
But such threats have long disappeared with Giuliani sinking in national polls and more conservative candidates rising to take his place.
“What he (Giuliani) miscalculated on is McCain and Romney and Huckabee all come with some momentum into Florida because they won other states, and Rudy doesn’t have momentum,” Adair commented.
Current frontrunner McCain has won New Hampshire and South Carolina; Romney took first place in Wyoming, Nevada and Michigan; and Huckabee finished top in Iowa.
Yet despite dire forecasts, Giuliani remains optimistic in interviews about his chances in Florida.
“We are going to win in Florida, then we will be talking about exactly who made the right decisions,” he said, according to CNN.
“This is truly a marathon, and you’ve got to remain focused on it that way and not get too upset about the things that go wrong or too excited about the things that go right.”
Besides a viability image problem, Giuliani may also face opposition from Florida Christians, who are being urged by some pastors to vote Biblical values in the upcoming election – a push that can work against him.
Pastor Bryan Longworth of Covenant Tabernacle World Outreach Center in Port St. Lucie, Fla., will host a viewing of the Values Voter 2008 Presidential Debate Friday night at his church and encourage voters to pick the candidate that matches their biblical values.
Longworth complained that Christian apathy has allowed the “nation to slip into moral depravity” on such issues as abortion, same-sex “marriage,” and the removal of the Ten Commandments. He called on the “church to stop playing church, and start being the church,” according to a statement.
Florida will head to the polls Jan. 29, ahead of Super Tuesday when more than 20 states vote on Feb. 5.
Comments
It's too bad. Giulianni has a great chance to compete against the democrats in the general election.
Truthandjustice1
I left a comment on another article here (link below). I was responding to those who are shocked that prostitutes are supporting Dr. Paul. Please take a look.
www.christianpost.com/article/20080121/30918_Christian_Right_Still_in_Search_of_Ideal_Candidate.htm
truthandjustice1
Ron Paul is the "...only candidate left that isn't a member of the CFR. I'm surprised he has got this far, but this group obviously underestimated him. ..."
I really believe that after years of faithful service to the truth, standing on Christ's promise, ignored and ridiculed by his peers year after year after year, I believe that God has rewarded him by allowing him to see that he is NOT alone after all!
We can't know what God's plans are, and I wouldn't dare guess, but whether Ron Paul gets the nomination or not, no one can say that they haven't been warned.
I wish, with all of my heart, that the Lord begins to open the eyes and hearts of those calling themselves Christians, that they may be made to see how badly they have been deceived by the world. Then, may we fall down on our knees and ask God's forgiveness once more for our foolishness and pride, so that maybe we can finally start being what Jesus asked of us: salt and light in the world.
God bless you truthandjustice1 - and thanks for your words :)
I meant to type stir the pot
When you hear him talk, read what he has written, look at the way he has lived his life, and see his voting record you realize the power of the media. They have made a very honorable man seem crazy, it's definitely Orwellian. Politics is like stew sometimes you have to stew the pot or the crud will float to the top. Thanks for the link dagny.
The aspect of Paul's candidacy is that it transcends religious denominations, political denominations, economic denominations, ... that man just says things that make sense. Even when you disagree with him you can understand the logic that led him to his conclusion. I've never seen a political leader like him and it's sad that so few people have heard of him....but the message is spreading. I read that he is the only candidate left that isn't a member of the CFR. I'm surprised he has got this far, but this group obviously underestimated him.
truthandjustice1 -
Oh yes! Wonderful article, I remember reading that when it first came out! ( http://www.lewrockwell.com/paul/paul244.html )
have you read his Statement of Faith yet? http://www.covenantnews.com/ronpaul070721.htm
truthandjustice1 -
Ron Paul's consistent, Christian honesty is already getting him "in trouble" with the establishment, (political AND religious establishment) but if he were to attempt to manipulate the process he would cease to be the man of integrity his is. Catch-22. Trust God!
Thanks for the link, headed over to read it now :)
The "problem" with Ron Paul is that he is too honest when he talks about the economy and even religion. Ron Paul is a protestant, but he also writes about theology not politics. The greatest article I've ever read about theology from Ron Paul was an article called: Theology, not Politics:
http://www.lewrockwell.com/paul/paul244.html
Once again I'm sure his honesty will get him in trouble with closed minded people.
http://www.covenantnews.com/ronpaul070721.htm
I urge my brothers and sisters in Christ to visit this Covenant News link and read Rep Paul's Statement of Faith. Dr. Paul has been a faithful servant throughout his life. He has served 10 terms as a Republican in the US House of Representatives, and never once voted for anything he believed was unconstitutional. He doesn't participate in the congressional pension plan, takes NO money from lobbyists, returns a portion of his congressional budget EVERY year. He is truly a breath of fresh air in a world where we've become accustomed to politicians lying once they get in office! I believe that the reason that he is being marginalized, indeed maligned, is BECAUSE he is a true, and faithful, brother in Christ.
Please, this is a good and honorable man with a lengthy track record which proves his word is good. (You shall judge them by the fruit they produce)
I urge you to look at Ron Paul (www.ronpaul2008.com) with fresh eyes and see who is the real conservative candidate for CHANGE. Pro-Life and introduced legislation into the house to amend that life begins at conception. The establishment fears him and perhaps you have never heard of him. Ron Paul is an ardent supporter of the Constitution. He has never voted to raise taxes, never voted for an unbalanced budget, never voted for a federal restriction on gun ownership, never voted to raise congressional pay (that would be HIS pay, as he is a Congressman for the state of Texas). He voted against the Patriot Act (this act reduces American’s liberties), voted against the war in Iraq, and has never voted to increase the power of the executive branch of government. He wants to bring home our troops-right away, stimulate our economy, increase the value of our dollar, decrease the ridiculous amount of governmental spending, and reduce our taxes – he has a plan to make it happen. Dr. Paul has consistently voted to lower or abolish federal taxes, spending and regulation, and has used his House seat to actively promote the return of government to its proper constitutional levels. He presently serves on the House Committee on Financial Services and the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, so when you hear him speak, you know he’s telling the truth about what is happening in our government. He does not participate in the lucrative congressional pension program (the one that you and I pay with our taxes) and he returns a portion of his annual congressional office budget to the U.S. treasury every year. Talk about honesty and integrity!
Actually every poll shows Romney ahead by at least 5 %...