LA Times: Rudy Hints at Dropping Out

[Danny White]

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2008/01/breaking-news-i.html

Breaking News: Rudy Giuliani hints at dropping out

Rudy Giuliani appears to be pondering an end to his long pursuit of the Republican presidential nomination.

In a meeting in the back of his chartered plane en route to St. Petersburg, Fla., a short while ago, the onetime, longtime GOP front-runner told a small group of reporters, including The Times' Louise Roug: "The winner of Florida will win the nomination."

That's an unusually categorical statement suggesting that only a total upset for Giuliani, who trails both Mitt Romney and John McCain in all major polls for Florida's Republican primary tomorrow, will keep him in the competition.

Giuliani's campaign, which led in national polls when it began and stayed there for many months, is showing signs of serious financial fatigue. This month his top staffers are foregoing their paychecks so the maximum amount of money can be invested to salvage his political fortunes in the Sunshine State, which was where Giuliani's late-state strategy was to kick into high gear.

So far, he's yet to finish first anywhere and ended up behind Rep. Ron Paul in Iowa and Nevada.

In his meeting with reporters today, Giuliani added that, no matter what happens Tuesday, he definitely would participate in the Republican debate co-sponsored by The Times on Wednesday at the Reagan Library.

--Andrew Malcolm

[Doomsday101]

If Rudy does not win Fla he is gone.

[PosterChild]

BY Andrew Malcolm

Rudy Giuliani appears to be pondering an end to his long pursuit of the Republican presidential nomination.
In a meeting in the back of his chartered plane en route to St. Petersburg, Fla., a short while ago, the onetime, longtime GOP front-runner told a small group of reporters, including The Times' Louise Roug: "The winner of Florida will win the nomination."
That's an unusually categorical statement suggesting that only a total upset for Giuliani, who trails both Mitt Romney and John McCain in all major polls for Florida's Republican primary tomorrow, will keep him in the competition, despite previous repeated vows to continue.

Giuliani's campaign, which led in national polls when it began and stayed there for many months, is showing signs of serious financial fatigue (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2008/01/rudytroubles.html). This month his top staffers are foregoing their paychecks so the maximum amount of money can be invested to salvage his political fortunes in the Sunshine State, which was where Giuliani's late-state strategy was to kick into high gear.

So far, he's yet to finish first anywhere and ended up behind Rep. Ron Paul in Iowa and Nevada.

In his meeting with reporters today, Giuliani added that, no matter what happens Tuesday, he definitely would participate in the Republican debate co-sponsored by The Times on Wednesday at the Reagan Library.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2008/01/breaking-news-i.html

[Yeagermeister]

No shocker

[AbeBeta]

Joe Biden pretty much took him down a notch when he quite accurately pointed out that “there’s only three things he mentions in a sentence: a noun and a verb and 9/11.”

Rudy went from a legit candidate to a joke overnight.

[ZeroClub]

I never liked Giuliani's chances. His early poll numbers were driven by name recognition. The man lacks spark / charisma / presence.

[Doomsday101]

I never liked Giuliani's chances. His early poll numbers were driven by name recognition. The man lacks spark / charisma / presence.

I agree. I also do not think many of his stances would play well in the heart land. Regardless of what many may think the US is more than just the East Coast and the West Coast the Heart Land will have a major say in who the next President is.

[BrAinPaiNt]

Guess that is what happens when you put all your eggs in one basket...if you drop the basket you screw yourself.

[burmafrd]

Sad thing is is that Rudy could have done well in Iowa and New Hampshire; he does very well in small meetings and small groups.

[ConcordCowboy]

This is what happens when all you have is 9/11 to run on.

Eventually the discussion will move on to other things and it has.

[Mavs Man]

Guess that is what happens when you put all your eggs in one basket...if you drop the basket you screw yourself.

But not only did he put all his eggs in one basket, he left them out too long so they turned rotten by the time he needed them.

[Bob Sacamano]

Sad thing is is that Rudy could have done well in Iowa and New Hampshire; he does very well in small meetings and small groups.

not this time around, I read that he was very stiff and formal when it came to group speakings, he didn't talk or shake hands w/ anyone, and just left immediately after speaking, w/ bodyguards jostling people out of the way

edit: and the guy drove around in a motorcade w/ a police escort, which seemed pompous to some

[jterrell]

I was hoping Rudy would run against Hillary for a while there.

She would have eaten him alive in debates, ads.

The lack of fight of any of these guys not named Mitt has me puzzled for true.

They just take turns giving up the ghost.