by David Nitkin
Rudy Giuliani figured out a way to get a whole state to himself.
The former New York City mayor is the only presidential candidate spending the day in New Hampshire, which holds its primary five days after tomorrow’s Iowa caucuses.
Most presidential contenders are in Iowa this week, looking for momentum that will propel them to their party’s nominations.
But it’s been clear for some time that Giuliani has a different plan. He’s spent limited resources in Iowa, and is not well-positioned to win in New Hampshire – despite the attention his is lavishing on the state today. Here, Mitt Romney and John McCain are leading in polls.
Instead, Giuliani is playing for a win in Florida and by dominating the Feb. 5 primaries, when roughly half of the available delegates are up for grabs.
Not only is Giuliani maintaining his big-state strategy, he’s sticking with his strength-and-security campaign theme.
Let other candidates take swipes at each other, or talk about the economy and health care. As events in Iraq move to the back pages of newspapers and security dips as a voter concern, Giuliani is still telling voters that the next president needs to capture Osama bin Laden, reform the nation’s intelligence community and give first responders the tools they need to spot terrorist attacks.
Guiliani outlined those goals during a speech this morning at the Wright Museum of World War II History in Wolfeboro.
With mannequins of GI’s as a backdrop, Giuliani told a crowd of 100 how “how thoughts of World War II and the greatest generation were in my mind” in the hours after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, as he wondered whether the country would continue the legacy of those who fought against Nazi Germany and the Axis powers.
Giuliani called for an expanded military, improved human intelligence, and for winning “the war of ideas” by increasing trade and cultural exchanges with hostile nations. He said the number of troops in Afghanistan should be doubled.
“It’s a big subject, winning the terrorists’ war on us,” Giuliani said. “Weakness is what invites aggression, not strength.”
Weaving the recent upheaval in Pakistan following the killing of Benazir Bhutto into his remarks, Giuliani said the U.S. must take a leading position in strengthening democracy in Pakistan. “Nothing troubles (terrorists) more than democracy,” he said.
Except for a fund-raising trip tomorrow in Florida, Giuliani will spend the remainder of his time until Jan. 8 in New Hampshire, a campaign spokeswoman said.
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Comments
In honor of David Letterman's return to live TV tonight.
From the internet (s)
Ten Good Things about a Giuliani Presidency:
1. He's not ______. (candidate you hate even more)
2. All our worries about sliding towards fascism will be over, if you know what I mean, wink wink.
3. He'll make cross-dressing respectable.
4. We'll have two First Ladies.
5. No danger of Americans forgetting September 11th.
6. High probability of first White House divorce.
7. We'll develop closer ties to Qatar and Hugo Chavez.
8. He'll keep unruly, disloyal firefighters in their place.
9. The Secret Service will take over the job of walking Judi's dog, freeing the NYPD to fight crime.
10. He'll keep the world safe from Ron Paul.
Ten Good Things about a Mitt Romney presidency:
1. He's not _____ (candidate you hate even more)
2. No more coddling of spoiled family pets.
3. He will have paid his own way to the White House.
4. Disappointment will be impossible.
5. All-Democratic Congress in 2010 except for Utah & Idaho.
6. He will considerably reduce Americans' desire for a faith-based candidate.
7. Won't have enough credibility to start another war
8. Congress may reconsider the issue of polygamy, opening the door for other definitions of marriage.
9. Jello will be served at state dinners (see Mormon jokes)
10. He will keep the world safe from Ron Paul.
Ten Good Things about a Fred Thompson Presidency:
1. He's not ______. (candidate you hate even more)
2. Executive power will diminish the day he is sworn in.
3. He smells like Ronald Reagan.
4. He'll be an advocate for elderly and retired persons, especially with McCain as V.P.
5. His Presidency will increase the pressure for an Alzheimer's breakthrough.
6. He enunciates a clear, consistent ideology--Grumpy-Old-Manism.
7. May appoint Sam Waterston as Attorney General.
8. Assassination unlikely.
9. Too befuddled to start another war.
10. He'll keep the world safe from Ron Paul.
Ten Good Things about a Mike Huckabee Presidency:
1. He's not ______. (candidate you hate even more)
2. He will totally extinguish any future desire for a faith-based candidate.
3. TR's "bully pulpit" no longer a figure of speech.
4. Even atheists will long to be saved.
5. We'll have all-Democratic Congress in 2010.
6. We'll develop closer ties to Edom, Samaria, and Ur of the Chaldees.
7. He will end the war.
8. Unfortunately it will be the "War on Christmas".
9. Our worries about sliding towards theocracy will be over.
10. He'll keep the world safe from Ron Paul.
Restore constitutional government in America. Impeach Bush and Cheney.
Posted by: John E | January 2, 2008 2:32 PM
Giuliani stays on message
911, 911, 911, 911, 911 etc
Posted by: Huckabee Schmuckabee | January 2, 2008 3:47 PM
"The former New York City mayor is the only presidential candidate spending the day in New Hampshire"
He's probably looking for mistress #3 and future wife #4.
How can we expect him to uphold the oath of office if he can't uphold his marriage vows, vows he took in a church?
Posted by: BC | January 2, 2008 10:54 PM