Associated Press
02-07-07
Rudy's end run
Earlier primaries in key moderate states may let him bypass far right
BY DAVID SALTONSTALL
DAILY NEWS SENIOR CORRESPONDENT
The biggest question facing Rudy Giuliani's budding presidential bid has always
been: How does a pro-choice, pro-gun control, pro-gay rights moderate woo the
social conservatives that dominate Republican primaries?
But now some are asking another question: Does Giuliani even need social
conservatives to win, given likely changes in the GOP primary schedule?
In a switch that could radically redraw the electoral map, California, New Jersey,
Florida and Illinois - all big, moderate states with small evangelical wings - are
expected to move their presidential primaries to Feb. 5, just two weeks after the
first primary in New Hampshire.
Many believe that will create an early electoral D-Day that will favor well-funded
candidates in general and Giuliani in particular because all are moderate
bastions that have embraced middle-of-the-road Republicans in the past.
"If I'm Rudy Giuliani, I like that lineup a lot," said Iowa State University politics
Prof. Steffen Schmidt. "Those are places where a fiscally conservative
Republican with management experience can do well, and where Christian
conservatives are not a huge factor."
For now, Giuliani's top aides say they're fighting for every vote, although they
concede the condensed schedule will favor those with deep pockets.
"It definitely accrues to the benefit of candidates who are already well-known and
can raise the resources," said Michael DuHaime, head of Giuliani's exploratory
committee.
The strategizing comes as Giuliani is nevertheless trying to entice conservative
voters not so much by changing his views on social issues but by adding
footnotes.
So although he may still be pro-choice, as he told Fox News Channel this week,
he'd appoint conservative judges like Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia.
Yes, he supports gun control measures, he added, but most regulations he'd
leave to "different states."
And although he still favors domestic partnership laws to protect the rights of
gays, "Marriage should remain between a man and a woman."
"He is trying to show a little leg - just enough to fool people," said conservative
commentator Terence Jeffrey. "But people won't be fooled."
That said, recent statewide polls show Giuliani leading Republicans in California,
Florida, Illinois and New Jersey by a hefty 12 percentage points.
Which may explain why Giuliani will spend this weekend not in New Hampshire
or Iowa, but in Sacramento, Calif.