Giuliani In Presidential Poll Free Fall

Rudy Giuliani is falling, and falling fast, in the GOP primary polls. A new study, released by NBC News and the Wall Street Journal has the former New York City mayor dropping 13 percentage points nationally in just one month. Hizzoner now finds himself in a statistical tie for first place with former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, both of whom are at 20 percent.

Giuliani's fall has been driven in large part by voters souring on his character. According to the poll, 37 percent of respondents view the former mayor in a negative light, the same percentage that view him favorably. In March, a month after Giuliani officially filed his statement of candidacy, 58 percent of those polled had a positive perception.

Over the last month, Giuliani has seen a wave of bad press. The Politico reported that as mayor, Giuliani hid security detail costs for protecting his then-mistress Judith Nathan, by filing them with obscure city agencies. Around then the Village Voice reported that a subsidiary of Giuliani's security firm had done work for a Qatar company that had ties to a terrorist figure. Even prior to then, Giuliani's long-time confidant and close adviser Bernard Kerik was indicted on conspiracy, mail fraud, wire fraud, and lying to the IRS.

The totality of these reports, observers say, does not bode well for Giuliani's candidacy.

"He's the old man in the sea," said Democratic pollster Peter D. Hart, who helped conduct the survey. "By the time he gets to Florida, there's only going to be skeletal remains." Giuliani has pursued a primary strategy that relies heavily on the larger, later-voting states. But even in Florida (which holds its primary on Jan. 29) he finds his popularity waning.

If there is one saving grace for Giuliani it is that no one in the GOP field has been able to capitalize on his sinking numbers. According to the NBC/Wall Street Journal poll, the five frontrunning Republican candidates are all within nine percentage points of each other. Romney and Giuliani register at 20 percent; Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who has shot up the polls, now finds himself with 17 percent support nationally; while Sen. John McCain, R-AZ, and former Sen. Fred Thompson, R-TN, garner 14 percent and 11 percent support respectively.

Comments

[ThomasDoubting]

Queen Rudy is by far, the worst, of the Republican candidates for president. No one would have believed that 'The Chimp' would be president, a year before he was selected. Keep in mind that 'Frutti Rudy' does not need to win the election, he only has to look like a plausible winner. After stealing two presidential elections in a row, will they play it straight this time. I don't think so either.

[testerwebbdemocrat]

I read everything you write here, Sam. But as an ordinary guy, let me tell you what put a fork in Ghouliani. You left out the (to date) best zinger of the campaign - "Every sentence he says has a noun, a verb, and 911." - Joe Biden

Damn, that was good. And true. And he's done as a Christmas turkey.

[dgscol]

Yes, the Republican Right in NY, has moved against Rudy's candidacy. Mitt is their man. A dark horse is
McCain. Bet is Huck will take a ride on a raft and never be seen again, in Feb.

[Galvestonians for Dr. Ron Paul]

Ruddie Annie has been officially thrown under the bus..
Too bad he gave up Guilianni Partners first, and cancelled all those speaking engagements that were part of the reason for his being tossed.
Huckabee is the new antiestablishment candidate...Not Ron Paul!

[jubal8]

I've tuned in to a few debates, speeches, and interviews with Ghoulie Rudiani, mostly since 9/11. In every case (where I was at least semi-conscious), my gut was wrenched by the twisted and tortured foulspeak that slithered from his forked tongue. By what magic does he gain approval from even 10% of those who are witness to his transparently self-serving utterances?

[realpolitic]

Even Fox News seems to have given up on Giuliani. Their commentators mention Huckabee with ever greater frequency. He must be the new candidate ordained by God.

[Averageaussie]

Close the door after you.

[seted]

He spent the night in the hospital for flu like symptoms, how long do you think it will take him to tie it in with 911?

[desertdweller]

Rudy will never be POTUS, but I can see him skulking around the FBI building or even the cabinet. Kind of scary...

[desertdweller]

Rudy is like a used car that has been re-painted and polished, and given a new windshield and tires. All that, but they couldn't get the stink out of the interior. Looks good on the lot, under the bright lights, but when you open the door to look inside......peeeeeuuuuuw. Makes you wanna gag.

[ptarantino]

70,000 people are enrolled in the 9/11 toxic dust, first responder health program. Many have already died & Rudy has never done one thing for these people.

He should be there biggest advocate, but he doesn't give a crap because he wants more power.

That has to be the worst example of "leadership" turning it's back on the good people in of our Country.

[exotic]

http://www.whowouldtheworldelect.com/

[Tankan]

Freefall into the bottomless pit, poor old Abaddon will be saying, there goes the neighbourhood!

[conservativeoriginalist]

Poor Democrats. This is horrible news for the lefties. He was one of the Republican candidates that would guarantee a shoe-in Democrat White House in January 2009.

[cynicalmass]

So long, you lisping lying sea of forehead. Maybe you can bail out your buddy Bernie Kerik with leftover campaign funds (after you conveniently launder them). Don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out... and turn the lights off so we don't have to endure that dopey expression and plastic smile any longer than necessary.