July 25, 2007

The Other Rudys

Rudy Giuliani seems to be the candidate of many colors in the 2008 White House race.

So far, the GOP front-runner has managed to bounce back from a series of mini-scandals with apparent ease. His No. 1 status in national primary matchups has been fairly consistent since the beginning of the race, and a new ABC News/Washington Post poll has him topping the field by double-digit margins. The outlook is relatively rosy for general-election Rudy as well: He's considered the best-equipped Republican to beat out a Democratic opponent in the ABC/Post poll, and he tops both Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama in new Gallup matchups.

But the former New York City mayor is not resting on his laurels -- and with good reason. Only 32 percent of Giuliani backers in the ABC/Post poll said they support him "strongly" -- indicating he is far from having the GOP nomination wrapped up.

In a new radio ad blitz aimed at primary voters in Iowa and New Hampshire, the Giuliani camp is seeking to beef up his image among an electorate that is largely unfamiliar with his mayoral accomplishments aside from the 9/11 aftermath. The strategy seems designed to steer attention away from Giuliani's social positions and personal scandals -- his weak points in the GOP race -- and tout his achievements in the Big Apple before others can paint a less-than-favorable picture of his tenure there.

See today's Ad Spotlight (subscription) for more on Giuliani's media campaign. And today's Poll Track (subscription) has more details on the latest '08 numbers.

Posted at 12:27 PM
Posted to: Rudy Giuliani
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