Starting Gate: Rudy Divides And Conquers?
As CBS News' Jeff Greenfield pointed out yesterday, there are some practical reasons for Robertson's decision, not the least of it is terrorism and what Republicans call the war with Islamo-fascism, something that unites most of the party and an issue where the GOP retains some strength. That's the issue at the heart of Giuliani's campaign to be sure, but it's not as if Mitt Romney, John McCain or Fred Thompson aren't equally tough-talkers on the subject.
Whatever the reasons for the endorsement, the effect is clear – as long as Giuliani draws some minimal support from social conservatives, is careful to not offend them and has three opponents splitting the bulk of their support, he's in great shape. The GOP field has been whittled down a bit. Sam Brownback, once seen as the candidate most likely to rally conservatives, left the race last month. Yesterday, he endorsed McCain, but because of the Robertson endorsement, few noticed. Great timing – or orchestration -- by the Giuliani camp.
Romney has recently landed endorsements from social conservatives like Bob Jones III and Paul Weyrich, one of the founders of the Moral Majority which signaled the rise of the movement. Thompson, who has been openly criticized by influential conservatives like Focus on the Family's James Dobson, is still likely to draw some support from grassroots activists in places like South Carolina and Florida.
By splitting the votes of social conservatives, Giuliani benefits greatly. His performance as mayor of New York City continues to gloss over questions of a lack of experience in foreign affairs. His record of cracking down on crime and cleaning up the Big Apple blunts those who fear he would not be a fierce protector of gun rights. And his national front-runner status, coupled with GOP concern about the Democratic nomination of Hillary Clinton creates an aura of electability around him.
As long as no "anti-Giuliani" candidate emerges, something that appears unlikely right now before the early contests, the former mayor can move onto the battlegrounds where he's strongest – like Florida, California and the rest of the Super Duper Tuesday states. It's one of the oldest strategies in the book – divide and conquer.
Obama Dismisses Internet Pic: Barack Obama said yesterday that a photograph purporting to show him reciting the Pledge of Allegiance without his hand over his heart is "irritating" and out of context. The picture was taken in Iowa last month and has circulated on the Internet. Obama said the picture was taken during the singing of the national anthem. "My grandfather taught me how to say the Pledge of Allegiance when I was 2," Obama said. "During the Pledge of Allegiance you put your hand over your heart. During the national anthem you sing." Obama said there is a lot of information on the Web and on e-mail. "You've got e-mails saying I'm a Muslim plant trying to take over America. We've seen this before," he said.
Swift Correction On Swift Boat: Former President Clinton took some heat from his wife's opponents (and even her campaign) for appearing to suggest their criticisms of Hillary Clinton during last week's debate was bordering on the edge of "swift boating." Turns out that he was referring to concerns about what Republicans would do in a general election contest – at least that's what he told a group of Clinton supporters at a closed event in Chicago, according to the AP. Clinton said issues like providing drivers licenses to illegal immigrants are too complex to be boiled down to soundbite answers. Said Clinton of the debate and flap, "I thought it made all the Democrats vulnerable to a swift-boat-kind of ad in the general election. When you have complicated issues, you don't want to turn them into two-dimensional cartoons," he said.
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