Poll: Giuliani Tumbles, GOP Race Tightens

CBS News Poll: Thompson's Entry Vaults Him To A Close Second Place In Republican Contest

(CBS)  Rudy Giuliani, after holding the front-runner spot in the race for the Republican presidential nomination for months, has seen his lead nearly evaporate with the entry of former senator and TV star Fred Thompson into the race, a new CBS News/New York Times poll finds.

The poll contains other foreboding signs for the former New York City mayor as well, including indications that Republican primary voters may not buy his argument that running America’s biggest city makes Giuliani fit to occupy the White House.

After seeing his support among Republican primary voters rise to 38 percent in August, Giuliani was backed by only 27 percent of respondents in the most recent survey, narrowing his lead over Thompson to 5 percentage points after holding a 20-point edge last month.

While Thompson, at 22 percent support, is now a close second to Giuliani, he was not the only Republican to seemingly benefit from Giuliani’s fading numbers. Arizona Sen. John McCain, who was written off by some after months of staff upheaval and disappointing fundraising, saw his support increase 6 points since the last survey to 18 percent. On the other hand, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, who won August’s straw poll in Ames, Iowa, saw little benefit nationwide, scoring 14 percent support - largely unchanged since last month.

Shallow Support?

Giuliani has based much of his presidential campaign around his actions as New York mayor during and immediately after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Strategically, this makes sense: 25 percent of GOP primary voters cite 9/11 as the reason they back Giuliani, and 82 percent of them believe Giuliani is a strong leader.

But beyond his record on 9/11 and his leadership abilities, Giuliani may face several problems. In recent Republican presidential debates, Giuliani has made the point that none of the top Democrats in the race - Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama or John Edwards - has run a state, city or business. Yet only 48 percent of registered voters believe that being a big-city mayor qualifies one to be president, a sentiment shared equally by Democrats and Republicans.

On the other hand, registered voters overwhelmingly believe that being a senator or governor provides the experience necessary to be president. Romney has been a governor, while all the other top candidates in the race are serving or have served in the Senate.

Also troubling for Giuliani may be how knowledgeable his own supporters are of his tenure as mayor, aside from 9/11. A majority of Giuliani supporters were unable to say whether crime went up or down during his administration, despite his frequent mentions of making New York safer. And more than 70 percent of Giuliani supporters didn’t know whether race relations got better or worse under Giuliani - several well-publicized incidents involving New York police are credited with exacerbating racial tensions in the city while Giuliani was mayor.

There even appears to be some ignorance among Giuliani’s supporters on the issue that most separates him from the rest of the GOP field: his support for abortion rights. While 41 percent say Giuliani favors legal abortions, 31 percent believe, incorrectly, that he opposes them.

However, even if more Republicans become aware of his position on abortion, Giuliani may still win the nomination. By a 2-to-1 margin, Republican primary voters said they could vote for a less conservative candidate if they believed that candidate would win in a general election, where Giuliani’s moderate views on social issues could allow him to win support from independent voters.

Giuliani may also see his lead stabilize or even grow if Thompson stumbles out of the gate. More than two-thirds of Republican primary voters have yet to decide if they view the “Law & Order” star favorably or unfavorably, while 40 percent view Giuliani favorably - the highest percentage among the top Republican candidates.

The Democrats

While the Republican race has been tumultuous, the Democratic contest has been relatively static for the past month. Clinton remains firmly in the lead among Democratic primary voters, with 44 percent support, trailed by Obama at 26 percent and Edwards at 17 percent - all largely unchanged since August.

Clinton also meets expectations by leading Obama by more than two to one among women. But they are nearly even among male Democratic voters.

---

This poll was conducted among a random sample of 1263 adults nationwide, interviewed by telephone September 4-9, 2007. The error due to sampling for results based on the entire sample could be plus or minus three percentage points. The error for subgroups is higher. An oversample of those with family members who are now serving in the U.S. armed forces or the U.S. reserves was also conducted for this poll, for a total of 349 interviews among this group. The results were then weighted in proportion to the composition of the adult population in the U.S. Census. The margin of error for military families is plus or minus 5 percentage points.

[kansas1946]

And if you absolutely HAVE to go to war because you have been attacked, and your country is under threat, you preferably go to war with the guys that attacked you. In fact, I think that is probably the first rule. George Bush is the worst president in the history of the US, hands down.

[kansas1946]

And if you absolutely HAVE to go to war because you have been attacked, and your country is under threat, you preferably go to war with the guys that attacked you. In fact, I think that is probably the first rule. George Bush is the worst president in the history of the US, hands down.

[alanrobisch]

And if you absolutely HAVE to go to war because you have been attacked, and your country is under threat, you preferably go to war with the guys that attacked you. In fact, I think that is probably the first rule. George Bush is the worst president in the history of the US, hands down.
Posted by kansas1946 at 10:07 PM : Sep 11, 2007
+ report abuse

second only to the honorable bill clinton who failed to get Osama Bin Laden before he engineered 9/11

[alanrobisch]

And if you absolutely HAVE to go to war because you have been attacked, and your country is under threat, you preferably go to war with the guys that attacked you. In fact, I think that is probably the first rule. George Bush is the worst president in the history of the US, hands down.
Posted by kansas1946 at 10:07 PM : Sep 11, 2007
+ report abuse

second only to the honorable bill clinton who failed to get Osama Bin Laden before he engineered 9/11

[alanrobisch]

This is news? All I know I''''m 50 is every time we get a republican in the white house theres war and rumors of war and the plight of the common people suffer. Have wealthy 79 year old friend that told me if you expect republicans to care about working people your wrong. Giuliani and I have something in common we''''d both like to be president but niether will get the votes.
Posted by crzmeat at 03:06 PM : Sep 11, 2007

You haven''t read much history have you. To the best of my knowledge all the major wars we fought in the 20th century occurred while Democrats were in power. WWI woodrow wilson the war to end all wars, WWII FDR, Korean war Truman, Vietnamese War JFK and Lyndon Johnson. Lest I forget the unforgetable hostage taking during Jimmy carter''s regime or on the contrary leaving Vietnam while Nixon was in power.GWHB did fight in defense of Kuwait something called Desert storm I think we won . Oh yeah lets not forget clinton''s loss in somalia and the infamous black hawk down.

[alanrobisch]

This is news? All I know I''''m 50 is every time we get a republican in the white house theres war and rumors of war and the plight of the common people suffer. Have wealthy 79 year old friend that told me if you expect republicans to care about working people your wrong. Giuliani and I have something in common we''''d both like to be president but niether will get the votes.
Posted by crzmeat at 03:06 PM : Sep 11, 2007

You haven''t read much history have you. To the best of my knowledge all the major wars we fought in the 20th century occurred while Democrats were in power. WWI woodrow wilson the war to end all wars, WWII FDR, Korean war Truman, Vietnamese War JFK and Lyndon Johnson. Lest I forget the unforgetable hostage taking during Jimmy carter''s regime or on the contrary leaving Vietnam while Nixon was in power.GWHB did fight in defense of Kuwait something called Desert storm I think we won . Oh yeah lets not forget clinton''s loss in somalia and the infamous black hawk down.

[kansas1946]

And if you absolutely HAVE to go to war because you have been attacked, and your country is under threat, you preferably go to war with the guys that attacked you. In fact, I think that is probably the first rule. George Bush is the worst president in the history of the US, hands down.

[alanrobisch]

The key here is "self-respecting." George Bush destroyed that when he lied to get us into this mess and dragged our allies with us.
Posted by kansas1946 at 09:56 PM : Sep 11, 2007

Bull

[kansas1946]

A self-respecting nation is ready for anything, including war, except for a renunciation of its option to make war. Simone Weil
*****************
The key here is "self-respecting." George Bush destroyed that when he lied to get us into this mess and dragged our allies with us.

[superdem]

Lars800, don''t quote the musings of great men who had war thrust upon them to justify the imperialist disaster our neocon draft resistors have thrust upon us today. If you were a true historian, you''d know there are no parallels to this unncessary travesty in Iraq. I noticed none of your quotes are from the Viet Nam disaster. As for OLD5HITA55, an illiterate hillbilly who loved Reagan and can''t even spell Thompson, his current favorite - dear god. These are the Republicans, folks. Ignorant, and proud of it.

[glossypan]

"Major combat operations in Iraq have ended. In the battle of Iraq, the United States and our allies have prevailed." May 01 2003 --- George W Bush
"I had other priorities in the ''60s than military service." --- Richard Cheney
"We used to wonder where war lived, what it was that made it so vile. And now we realize that we know where it lives...inside ourselves." --- Albert Camus, GWB''s favorite flossfer
"Force always attracts men of low morality." --- Albert Einstein

[lars008-2009]

War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature, and has no chance of being free unless made or kept so by the exertions of better men than himself. John Stuart Mill

It is well that war is so terrible, or we should grow too fond of it. Robert E. Lee

A self-respecting nation is ready for anything, including war, except for a renunciation of its option to make war. Simone Weil

If there must be trouble let it be in my day, that my child may have peace. Thomas Paine

Never, never, never believe any war will be smooth and easy, or that anyone who embarks on the strange voyage can measure the tides and hurricanes he will encounter. The statesman who yields to war fever must realise that once the signal is given, he is no longer the master of policy but the slave of unforeseeable and uncontrollable events. Winston Churchill

One ought never to turn one''s back on a threatened danger and try to run away from it. If you do that, you will double the danger. But if you meet it promptly and without flinching, you will reduce the danger by half. Winston Churchill

[lars008-2009]

We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately. Ben Franklin

Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. Ben Franklin

We make war that we may live in peace. Aristotle

It is an unfortunate fact that we can secure peace only by preparing for war. John F. Kennedy

There''s a graveyard in northern France where all the dead boys from D-Day are buried. The white crosses reach from one horizon to the other. I remember looking it over and thinking it was a forest of graves. But the rows were like this, dizzying, diagonal, perfectly straight, so after all it wasn''t a forest but an orchard of graves. Nothing to do with nature, unless you count human nature. Barbara Kingsolver

They have not wanted Peace at all; they have wanted to be spared war -- as though the absence of war was the same as peace. Dorothy Thompson

There is nothing so likely to produce peace as to be well prepared to meet the enemy. George Washington

I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy. My sons ought to study mathematics and philosophy, geography, natural history, naval architecture, navigation, commerce and agriculture in order to give their children a right to study painting, poetry, music, architecture, statuary, tapestry, and porcelain. John Adams

[lars008-2009]

Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery?

It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace--but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death! March 23, 1775 Patrick Henry

USA''s PLEDGE 2 THE WORLD GIVEN BY JFK!!

"Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty." - John F. Kennedy, Inaugural Address, Jan. 20, 1961

One ought never to turn one''s back on a threatened danger and try to run away from it. If you do that, you will double the danger. But if you meet it promptly and without flinching, you will reduce the danger by half. Winston Churchill

"The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing." Albert Einstein

[lars008-2009]

Franklin D. Roosevelt''s Infamy Speech
December 8, 1941/September 12, 2001
The facts of yesterday speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation.

As Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy, I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense.

Always will we remember the character of the onslaught against us. No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.

I believe I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make very certain that this form of treachery shall never endanger us again.

Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger.

With confidence in our armed forces - with the unbounded determination of our people - we will gain the inevitable triumph - so help us God.

[lars008-2009]

VOTE FOR JEFFERSON%u2026 VOTE GOP%u2026

dnc are like john adams and want to give the jihadist their lunch money hoping they will leave us alone....

gop are like thomas jefferson and want to spend their lunch money on weapons and go kick the jihadists in their arses.....

What Thomas Jefferson learned from the Muslim book of jihad

Thomas Jefferson knew about fascist nazi islam..... he killed plenty of them....

In 1786 Jefferson and John Adams went to negotiate with Tripoli''s envoy to London, Ambassador Sidi Haji Abdrahaman or (Sidi Haji Abdul Rahman Adja). They asked him by what right he extorted money and took slaves. Jefferson reported to Secretary of State John Jay, and to the Congress:

The ambassador answered us that [the right] was founded on the Laws of the Prophet (Mohammed), that it was written in their Koran, that all nations who should not have answered their authority were sinners, that it was their right and duty to make war upon them wherever they could be found, and to make slaves of all they could take as prisoners, and that every Mussulman who should be slain in battle was sure to go to heaven.[1]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Barbary_War
http://www.usvetdsp.com/jan07/jeff_quran.htm
muslim justifies slavery and piracy%u2026
http://www.hawaiireporter.com/story.aspx?6bdec278-6a71-4436-bc4d-29d1c54b0ad7
MUSLIM PIRATES STRIKE AGAIN
http://astuteblogger.blogspot.com/2005/06/muslim-pirates-strike-again.html

[Krazcarl]

This is news? All I know I''m 50 is every time we get a republican in the white house theres war and rumors of war and the plight of the common people suffer. Have wealthy 79 year old friend that told me if you expect republicans to care about working people your wrong. Giuliani and I have something in common we''d both like to be president but niether will get the votes.

[rsmphd]

Guliani is not able to keep his women happy so he flip flops on television and he is a lawyer and his job to misinform. No more lawyers in Congress yet alone the Presidency.

Return to the Constitution, united the States into the United States not the North American Union. Vote for a man with integrity and knows
the federal governments place. Vote for the next President Ron Paul.
Cheers,

[lars008-2009]

CHINESE OWN DEMONIC-RATS AND BUY THEM THE ELECTIONS!!!

The tale of shady Chinese Clinton donors avoiding U.S. justice is a familiar one that dates back to the 1996 Clinton-Gore fundraising scandal known as Chinagate. The Clintons took millions in laundered foreign campaign donations from Chinese Communists in exchange for liberalizing trade policy with China, dropping pending indictments against influential Chinese figures, spots on a U.S. trade mission and overnight stays at the White House.
Many of the Chinagate donors were successfully prosecuted even though Clinton Attorney General Janet Reno blocked investigators%u2019 efforts at the Justice Department. More than 100 people connected to the fundraising scandal fled the country, however. Norman Hsu seems to be following their lead.
http://www.corruptionchronicles.com/2007/09/hillary_donor_flees_like_china.html

[clestes-2009]

Rudy G is completely and totally the most unqualified candidate in US history!!!

In any other time, he would be laughed out of the race.

Jesus, the mayor of New York as president. What a joke.