NY Sun's Wapshott: Giuliani "barely attempted to go" to Iowa
SUMMARY: On MSNBC Live, anchor Alex Witt claimed that Rudy Giuliani "is spending very little time and even less money in Iowa and New Hampshire, opting instead to stake his claim on the later states." Later, The New York Sun's Nicholas Wapshott agreed, saying, "Well, he really, as you say, he barely attempted to go" to Iowa. In fact, in June 2007, Giuliani's campaign manager said: "We are 100 percent committed to winning Iowa and I believe we will do so."
On the January 5 edition of MSNBC Live, anchor Alex Witt claimed that Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani "is spending very little time and even less money in Iowa and New Hampshire, opting instead to stake his claim on the later states." Later, Nicholas Wapshott, a senior writer for The New York Sun, agreed, saying, "Well, he really, as you say, he barely attempted to go" to Iowa. However, as Media Matters for America previously documented, in an August 8, 2007, article, the Associated Press reported that Giuliani said: "Our largest staff contingent is now in Iowa. ... We're going to make a big effort in Iowa. We're making a big effort and our strategy was to focus on the caucuses." And in a June 6, 2007, article, Reuters quoted Giuliani campaign manager Michael DuHaime saying: "We are 100 percent committed to winning Iowa and I believe we will do so."
More recently, on the December 27 edition of the CBS Evening News, national correspondent Byron Pitts told Giuliani, "Here's something I've heard from people who support you in Iowa and New Hampshire, and this is a quote, 'Why has Rudy Giuliani written off New Hampshire and Iowa?' " Giuliani responded: "We haven't. We've had a proportionate strategy in that we've tried to spend time in all of the states. I see it as a nine-inning game." When Pitts asked: "But don't you have to play the first three?" Giuliani replied, "Sure, we have. We've been in Iowa quite a bit. We've been in New Hampshire even more than Iowa. We think this strategy fit our campaign."
According to National Journal's The Hotline (subscription required), Giuliani maintained 12 paid staff members in two offices in Iowa, in contrast with caucus winner Mike Huckabee's 14 paid staff members in one office and second-place finisher Mitt Romney's 17 staff members in three offices. In addition, the New York Daily News reported that Giuliani made "20 stops" in Iowa. Giuliani visited Iowa on December 29, and DuHaime visited the state on January 3.
From the 10 a.m. ET hour of the January 5 edition of MSNBC Live:
WITT: Let's go back to politics now, because Rudy Giuliani is in New Hampshire today. He's trying to pick up some votes there, while downplaying his distant sixth-place finish in Iowa's caucuses. Giuliani, of course, is in the midst of a major political gamble. He is spending very little time and even less money in Iowa and New Hampshire, opting instead to stake his claim on the later states.
But now, just three days from the New Hampshire primaries, he is trailing both [John] McCain and Romney by double digits in the polls. Nicholas Wapshott, a senior writer for The New York Sun joins me now to talk about this. I mean, he didn't expect to win in Iowa, certainly, but sixth-place blow. I mean, sixth place there, is that a blow to his campaign?
WAPSHOTT: Well, he really, as you say, he barely attempted to go there, but his problem is, it's very difficult to say, "I really don't come onstream until Florida," which is January the 29th. What you're saying is that all your early states don't matter, and it's very difficult to say to Americans, "Your vote really doesn't matter. I'm not interested in you; I'm only interested in the big states." That's a very arrogant stance to hold, and I think a lot of people will expect that he may well be overtaken before then by somebody like Huckabee or McCain, who had such amazing wind behind them that he'll be stuck.
Rudy, Rudy, Rudy...oh never mind,
9/11, 9/11, 9/11....double never mind. ;-)
I'd demote him to Mr. 7/11;
he'd make a good authoritarian soda jerk. Just about as much authority as a petty tyrant like him should have.
On Air America last Wednesday, Rachel Maddow also said that Guiliani is ignoring the early primaries in favor of the later ones, starting in Florida.
Where's her thread?
Rachel doesn't spread Conservative misinformation. And we like her.
I like her too. That's why I was listening to the show.
If Giuliani loses Iowa badly, his campaign will say: He never made a serious effort. Big deal. But if Giuliani manages to come in third, his campaign will say: Look how well he did without really trying! Major story!
Ha, guess we know which ways they're spinning the story.
Pearlene, I'm just curious, if it's not too personal, who was the first person you voted for in a Presidential election?
For me it was Jimmy Carter, in '76, and I remember it like it was yesterday. The slot beneath the ballot was filled with chads, making it hard to push the stylus in. Seriousely.
Rick, not personal at all, John F. Kennedy.
When I was much younger, living on my family's farm in Texarkana, Texas I could always tell each time elections rolled around, they would pave our dirt roads. I used to ask my father why we had so many visits from white folks and he would tell me "it's election time and the politicians want my vote". I've been leery of politicians pretty much all my life because of that.
I had a pretty busy life (nice way to explain my challenges) up until then but I was happily married with 3 children and Kennedy made me feel extremely hopeful. I like many adored Kennedy because he spoke to me about a different America than the one I'd experienced growing up. That could be why I'm a Obama supporter, he speaks about a different America and reminds me so much of both, John and Robert Kennedy. I must also add, it's why I have a great fear for Obama as well. Seems that those who offer hope and change don't get the opportunity to fulfill their promise from the powers that be.
Thanks, Pearlene (Granny packing), I like those personal insights from you fossils. ;)0
OFF TOPIC ALERT!!! (everybody ignore except Pearlene)
My old Man got sort of conservative in his later years, and died before I got to know him too well (I was in my 20s), but I've recently got to know his girlfriend from when I was a toddler (don't ask, long story), a very sweet Mexican-American woman.
I was visiting her a while back and the subject of politics, now vs. the 60s (when she knew my dad) came up.She mentioned that he really didn't like JFK, and I was a little startled, thinking that any first generation Irish-American was a Kennedy man, and I got a bit depressed that maybe my dad was influenced by his John Birch nut New York family before he had a chance to move out west.
Then she told me the reason; He thought JFK was born too rich, and didn't know sh*t about regular people, and he wished MLK Jr. was running.
I felt a little pride in my tight-ass old Mick dad. He never told me stuff like that !
END OFF TOPIC ALERT !!
HBL, you reminded me of a anecdote about my Dad (gratefully still with us). He was a Jack Kennedy man through and through (he was young and Irish), said that the assassination had a bigger impact personally to him than 9/11. But that is not the story.
I am a big admirer of Martin Luther King, Jr. I think he defines courage in leadership and example. Anyway the topic of King came up between me and the old man. I was struck by his candor regarding MLK. He said that at the time, he felt about MLK the same as (for example) Jesse Jackson of today, i.e. the opportunistic side of the equation.
I won't go into the discussion regarding the attitude toward that characterization. It was just interesting to me that after all the holidays and lionization of King, that a contemporary such as my father was able to still be candid and not revisionist about his feelings.
I guess the lesson is kids, talk to your elders about history because the opinions can make the past live again.
As far as your Dad goes, HBL, as the tree bends, so grows the twig? Thanks for sharing.
Hi Mick (continuing off-topic), I should have added that, as much as it warmed my heart to hear that about the Old One, the cynical part of me had to keep in mind that what I heard was the Blarney that was fed to Sanchita. ;0)
HBL, this Granny would spank your butt but you youngsters think that’s kinky and not punishment for a smart mouth. :-)
I seriously adored Robert Kennedy much more than Jack. I think as long as I live I will never forget the night he was killed. It was a serious blow to one's spirit so soon after Martin's assassination which felt at the time like a death blow.
Just thinking about those times remind me of a saying "It was the best of times and the worst of times". I Goggled to see Charles Dickens said that. Ha, see what us old fossils can do. :-)
Pearlene, it's "Google". "Goggles" are those big glasses the Dr. gives you after cataract work. ;0)
And as long as you call me "youngster", there's nothing but love here.I know you're packing.
It is the first line of a Tale of Two Cities.
Thanks Pearlene. Since you have mentioned your age before, JFK was my guess. I'm envious that you got to vote for one of my heros.
[Sorry all, for going off topic]
It's like they just make sh*t up !!! Is this "news" ? I guess I'm stupid for thinking that "news" is supposed to be factual.
Btw, check out this hilarious Onion headline: "Giuliani to run for President of 9/11"
http://www.theonion.com/content/news/giuliani_to_run_for_president_of_9
NEW YORK—At a well-attended rally in front of his new Ground Zero headquarters Monday, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani officially announced his plan to run for president of 9/11.
"My fellow citizens of 9/11, today I will make you a promise," said Giuliani during his 18-minute announcement speech in front of a charred and torn American flag. "As president of 9/11, I will usher in a bold new 9/11 for all." ....
Off topic, another hilarious Onion article:
Flustered Bush Misses Air Force One Flight
http://www.theonion.com/content/node/53594
And, in Giuliani's defense, the weather was a lot nicer in July when he was pumped up about going to Iowa.
And in late July, the fresh corn is worth the trip alone.
Donno if anybody went to Wyoming. Appartently Romney is going to get 8 delegates from them. Fred Thompson 3, Duncan Hunter 1, everybody else nada.
Off topic, an editorial reply in the Seattle Times.
Shame on Times columnist Ron Judd for referring to National Basketball Association Commissioner David Stern as a "weasel" ["And the 2007 "Feats of Clay" award for distinguished absence of valor goes to..." Dec,30].
We demand an immediate retraction and apology from Mr. Judd.
-Jim White, secretary,Northwest Weasel Fanciers, Lake Forest Park, Wa.