Frank Luntz writes for New York Daily News:
Pundits who have written off Rudy Giuliani are nuts. As he explores a 2008 bid for President, Giuliani sits atop the Republican pack in most polls – with support that will not quickly erode, despite his stance on some social issues.
But look who’s right there with him in pole (and poll) position: another Republican with the gift of gab and a reputation for independent thinking. Enter Arizona Sen. John McCain, every bit as intelligent and irascible as Giuliani. These two good friends – both of whom appeal to moderate Republicans – are on a collision course for the nomination.
Luntz states that if Giuliani wants to win, he needs to make clear that there are big differences between him and McCain.
Giuliani is already doing so – mildly.
“I’m more firmly committed to tax cutting than he is.”
Hm, not very impressive of course.
That is why Luntz has some suggestions.
Giuliani must begin by understanding that McCain has one advantage that no other Republican hopeful can match: a love affair with the American media. One reason why McCain has generated significant support outside the GOP is because of labels like “maverick” and “outsider” that those in the media use to express their approval, even as they harm him among the party faithful.
That is Giuliani’s first, best opening: He’s an outsider, and unafraid of The New York Times editorial page (an applause line in Iowa and New Hampshire). Though McCain may not sound like one or act like one, he’s been a Beltway Republican, part of the Washington establishment for almost two decades. Giuliani can score considerable points by acknowledging McCain’s willingness to buck the political system while subtly reminding Republicans of McCain’s participation in that very system.
This leads to Giuliani’s second great advantage: New York. While McCain is in Washington, a city of hearings and roll call votes, Giuliani is the embodiment of a city back on its feet. There was a time when being a New Yorker at a GOP convention was about as popular as being Dr. Kevorkian at an AARP convention. Times have changed, and so has the city.
Lastly, Giuliani has to present himself – and be – “a reformer with results.”
I think that Luntz is quite right.
Giuliani does not have to present himself as a “conservative” in the modern meaning of the word in the U.S. He does not necessarily have to appeal to the right wing of the Republican Party (something which is quite impossible for him to do anyway). He only needs to divide the “conservative base”.
McCain and others have to “rally the base”. Giuliani must be the socially-moderate, fiscally-conservative candidate.
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