2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

Rudy Giuliani Message To Supporters And Endorsement Of John McCain

Rudy Giuliani Message To Supporters And Endorsement Of John McCain

Over the past year, as I traveled around the country, people from all walks of life welcomed me into their homes and communities with open arms. From house parties to parades to town halls and rallies, I have shared in some wonderful moments with you all and for that I am eternally grateful.

Thank you for sharing your concerns with me. Thank you for working with me to provide our children with a brighter and more prosperous future. Thank you for your support and trust and faith. And thank you for being a part of this wonderful journey.

A New York Republican named Teddy Roosevelt once said “aggressive fighting for the right is the noblest sport the world affords.” Like most Americans, I love competition. I don't back down from a principled fight.

But there must always be a larger purpose.

Elections are about more than just a candidate. Elections are about fighting for a cause larger than ourselves. They are about identifying the great challenges of our time and proposing new solutions.  Most of all, they are about handing our nation to the next generation better than it was handed to us.

Although we were unsuccessful in our endeavor, the fight to strengthen America goes on. Our nation's next President must understand and make a commitment to keep us on offense in the Terrorists' War on Us. He must understand that stimulating our economy requires cutting taxes, because you make better decisions with your money than Washington bureaucrats. He must be committed to ending illegal immigration and securing our borders. And he must use free-market principles to make health care more affordable for all Americans.

I believe John McCain is that man. He is the right leader to move us forward, unite our party and transform Washington. I hope that you will join me in supporting him to be the next President of the United States.

As I look forward to the road ahead, I am optimistic because I believe America's best days are still to come. Our country has a bright future, but we must work together to ensure that our shared prosperity creates new and better opportunities for us all.

Best Wishes,

Rudy Giuliani 

Rudy Giuliani Campaign Launches Florida Television Ad, “Clear”

Rudy Giuliani Campaign Launches Florida Television Ad, “Clear”

Winter Park, FL - The Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee today announced the launch of the campaign’s closing Florida television ad, entitled “Clear.”  The ad will offer a summary of the reasons Rudy Giuliani is the clear choice for Florida voters. It will air on CBS affiliates in Florida before 60 Minutes on Sunday night.

Script for “Clear”:

Voice Over: “In the race for President who stands up for Florida? Only Rudy Giuliani.”

Chyron: “In the race for President”

Chyron: “who stands up for Florida?”

Chyron: “ONLY Rudy Giuliani”

Mayor Giuliani: “A Giuliani presidency will have two clear goals: returning our economic policy to the values of Ronald Reagan and taking the offense against Islamic terrorism.”

Voice Over: “Rudy Giuliani transformed a city called unmanageable …”

Chyron: “Rudy Giuliani”

Voice Over: “… into ‘the most successful episode of conservative governance in the past 50 years.’”

Chyron: “‘the most successful episode of conservative governance in the past 50 years.’ – George Will, Conservative Columnist, 1/28/07”

Voice Over: “Only Rudy Giuliani”

Chyron: “ONLY Rudy Giuliani”

Mayor Giuliani: “On my first day as President, I’ll send Congress the largest tax cut in history. I’ll take my case straight to the American people. I’ll fight for it, I’ll pass it and I know it’ll work because I’ve done it before. And I’ll deliver a national catastrophe fund to reduce insurance rates because I know what it means to your future.”

Voice Over: “In America’s fourth largest government …”

Voice Over: “Rudy delivered record tax cuts …”

Voice Over: “reformed welfare …”

Voice Over: “and reduced spending. Only Rudy Giuliani.”

What They’re Saying … About Mayor Giuliani At The MSNBC Florida Debate

What They’re Saying … About Mayor Giuliani

ABC's Rick Klein said Mayor Giuliani’s Question on the Catastrophic Fund was “good political positioning, and Rudy's best moment of the night.” (Rick Klein, “Live Blogging During GOP Debate,” ABC’s “Political Radar” Blog, http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/01/live-blogging-5.html, 1/24/08, Accessed 1/24/08)

NBC News’ Chuck Todd: “In case you're wondering, the lead for the Florida papers tomorrow will be this Giuliani question on the castrophic insurance proposal to save Florida on this front.” (Chuck Todd, NBC News’ First Read Blog, “The Florida Debate Lead,” firstread.msnbc.msn.com, 1/24/08, Accessed: 1/24/08)

Todd said Giuliani “certainly made an attempt to appeal directly to Floridians. He did a good job showing them he's learned their issues …” (Chuck Todd, NBC News’ First Read Blog, “Who Won? Who Lost? Debate Takeaway,” firstread.msnbc.msn.com, 1/24/08, Accessed: 1/24/08)

Todd: “Giuliani goes back to an old stand by and it seemed effective; he attacked Clinton on being on both sides of the Iraq issue; Attacking Clinton probably scored well with the GOP dial-testers.” (Chuck Todd, NBC News’ First Read Blog, “Giuliani Uses Clinton Barb To Defend Iraq,” firstread.msnbc.msn.com, 1/24/08, Accessed: 1/24/08)

NBC News’ Domenico Montanaro: “Rudy asked about catastrophic insurance in a way that made him sound like he is a native Floridian or that his own house might be in danger.” (Domenico Montanaro, NBC News’ First Read Blog, “Rudy’s Question,” http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/01/24/606992.aspx, 1/24/08, Accessed: 1/24/08)

Politico’s Jonathan Martin: Rudy got “best of economic question.” (Jonathan Martin, Politico Blog, “McCain, Rudy get best of economic question,” www.politico.com/blogs/jonathanmartin, 1/24/08, Accessed: 1/24/08)

NRO’s Rich Lowry: “Good Rudy answer on the drags on the economy.” (Rich Lowry, National Review Online’s The Corner Blog, “We're Doing All Four Of Those Things,” corner.nationalreview.com, 1/24/08, Accessed: 1/24/08)

NRO’s Michael Graham: “Rudy has a real plan” for the economy. (Michael Graham, National Review Online’s The Corner Blog, “Why was this debate so bad?,” corner.nationalreview.com, 1/24/08, Accessed: 1/24/08)

Graham: “The war question revealed the key difference … Guiliani is always looking for the chance to fight Democrats.” (Michael Graham, National Review Online’s The Corner Blog, “The War Question Revealed The Key Difference Between Mccain And Giuliani,” corner.nationalreview.com, 1/24/08, Accessed: 1/24/08)

NRO’s Jim Geraghty: Russert asked “Will you say the war was a good idea, it was worth the price in blood and treasure, and will we leave? … The right answer: ‘If it was such a bad idea, why did you vote for the war?’ Hey, as I type that, Giuliani gives more or less that answer. Bravo, Mr. Mayor.” (Jim Geraghty, National Review Online, “The Debate Shifts To Iraq, Audience Wakes Up,” campaignspot.nationalreview.com, 1/24/08, Accessed: 1/24/08)

ABC News’ Rick Klein: “‘I'm for it not because of polls, but because America is in a war,’ Giuliani says, squeezing in a hit on Clinton. His best line of the night.” (Rick Klein, “Live Blogging During GOP Debate,” ABC’s “Political Radar” Blog, http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/01/live-blogging-5.html, 1/24/08, Accessed 1/24/08)

ABC News’ Jake Tapper: “Good moment for Rudy” discussing Iraq. (Rick Klein, ABC News’ Political Radar Blog, Live Blogging During GOP Debate,” http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/01/live-blogging-5.html, 1/24/08, Accessed: 1/24/08)

ABC News’ Jake Tapper: “[C]ontrasting with Hillary Clinton, he says he was for the war when 6 out of 10 approved of it, and is still backing it even thought 6 out of 10 oppose it. Sounded strong.” (Rick Klein, ABC News’ Political Radar Blog, “Live Blogging During GOP Debate,” http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/01/live-blogging-5.html, 1/24/08, Accessed: 1/24/08)

National Review’s Mark R. Levin: “Great answer by Rudy re Hillary Clinton and polls and war.” (Mark R. Levin, “War,” The National Review’s “The Corner” Blog, http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=NzUzZDQ2YTQwYTNlMzFkMDBiZTMzNjU2ZjllYTI3ZWQ=, 1/24/08, Accessed 1/24/08)

The American Spectator’s Philip Klein: “A strong answer by Rudy, challenging the question, and noting that Clinton's positition [sic] on Iraq changed with the winds, but that his did not.” (Philip Klein, “Rudy Won’t Be Pushed Around By Polls,” The American Spectator’s “AmSpecBlog,” http://www.spectator.org/blogger.asp?BlogID=10974, 1/24/08, Accessed 1/24/08)

Klein: “Rudy Won’t Be Pushed Around By Polls …” (Philip Klein, “Rudy Won’t Be Pushed Around By Polls,” The American Spectator’s “AmSpecBlog,” http://www.spectator.org/blogger.asp?BlogID=10974, 1/24/08, Accessed 1/24/08)

Klein: “Giuliani gave excellent answers …” (Philip Klein, “Quick Debate Reaction,” The American Spectator’s “AmSpecBlog,” http://www.spectator.org/blogger.asp?BlogID=10996, 1/24/08, Accessed 1/24/08)

The Weekly Standard’s Stephen F. Hayes: Giuliani’s “answer on Tim Russert's question about whether the war in Iraq was worth it was the best of the group.” (Stephen F. Hayes, The Weekly Standard’s Campaign Standard Blog, “Hayes: The Nice Debate,” www.weeklystandard.com/weblogs/CampaignStandard, 1/24/08, Accessed: 1/24/08)

Hayes: Giuliani’s “answer on The New York Times editorial was simply outstanding. He is smart to label himself a ‘conservative Republican.’” (Stephen F. Hayes, The Weekly Standard’s Campaign Standard Blog, “Hayes: The Nice Debate,” www.weeklystandard.com/weblogs/CampaignStandard, 1/24/08, Accessed: 1/24/08)

Townhall.com’s Matt Lewis: “Rudy takes-down the NY Times.  Well done.” (Matt Lewis, Townhall.com’s Blog, “GOP Debate ...,” http://www.townhall.com/blog/g/0d5b26b8-d73b-4d91-b421-377b72e55b15, 1/24/08, Accessed: 1/24/08)

Lewis: “Rudy Giuliani is right; we need to start building nuclear plants ... yesterday.” (Matt Lewis, Townhall.com’s Blog, “GOP Debate ...,” http://www.townhall.com/blog/g/0d5b26b8-d73b-4d91-b421-377b72e55b15, 1/24/08, Accessed: 1/24/08)

The American Spectator’s Wlady: “Rudy's bona fides as a NY Yankee fan serves him well as he invokes the NY Giants' drive to the Super Bowl as evidence he can come back...” (Wlady, “Sports To The Rescue,” The American Spectator’s “AmSpecBlog,” http://www.spectator.org/blogger.asp?BlogID=10987, 1/24/08, Accessed 1/24/08)

Politico’s Jonathan Martin said Giuliani “deftly defended himself” against The New York Times editorial, “noting that the liberal editorial page wouldn't support the policies of a ‘conservative Republican.’” (Jonathan Martin, Politico Blog, “McCain, Rudy get best of economic question,” www.politico.com/blogs/jonathanmartin, 1/24/08, Accessed: 1/24/08)

NRO’s Jonah Goldberg: “On what issues, exactly, was the New York Times editorial board right and Rudy Giuliani wrong when it came to New York City?” (Jonah Goldberg, National Review Online’s The Corner Blog, “Just Curious,” corner.nationalreview.com, 1/24/08, Accessed: 1/24/08)

Goldberg: “It's possible there were a couple items over 8 years on bond issues or some such where Rudy was wrong and the Times was right, but on a major issue during his mayoralty, I can't think of one.” (Jonah Goldberg, National Review Online’s The Corner Blog, “Just Curious,” corner.nationalreview.com, 1/24/08, Accessed: 1/24/08)

The American Spectator’s John Tabin: “Rudy's asked about the Times slamming him in their McCain endorsement. Fighting with the New York Times editorial page obviously brings a smile to Giuliani's face.” (John Tabin, “Giuliani Vs. The NYT,” The American Spectator’s “AmSpecBlog,” http://www.spectator.org/blogger.asp?BlogID=10993, 1/24/08, Accessed 1/24/08)

Captain’s Quarters’ Ed Morrissey: “[Giuliani] did do a fine job … He looked very cool and confident and probably gave the most robust answers to the questions asked.” (Ed Morrissey, Captain’s Quarters Blog, “Florida Debate: Romney Scores, Rudy Close Behind,” http://www.captainsquartersblog.com/mt/archives/016749.php, 1/24/08, Accessed: 1/24/08)

Statement from Giuliani Campaign Senior Advisor Bill Paxon

Statement from Giuliani Campaign Senior Advisor Bill Paxon

Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee Senior Advisor Bill Paxon released the following statement following MSNBC’s debate tonight:

“There is one man who can turnaround America’s economy and face down the terrorists because he’s done it before. Rudy is the only man in this race who has turned around a city in economic crisis by cutting taxes, restraining spending and creating new jobs. Rudy’s done it before and he’ll do it again as President.”

Rudy Giuliani Campaign Launches Florida Television Ad “Only One”

Rudy Giuliani Campaign Launches Florida Television Ad “Only One”

Winter Park, FL - The Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee today announced the launch of a new television ad entitled “Only One.”  The ad is airing in Florida.   

Script for “Only One”:

Voice Over: “Only Rudy was appointed by Reagan.”

Chyron: “Rudy Giuliani”

Chyron: “Appointed By Reagan”

Voice Over: “And fought for conservative Judges.”

Chyron: “Rudy Giuliani”

Chyron: “Fought For Conservative Judges”

Voice Over: “Only Rudy supported the Bush tax cuts. From the start."

Chyron: “Rudy Giuliani”

Chyron: “Supported The Bush Tax Cuts”

Voice Over: “Only Rudy fixed a broken economy.”

Chyron: “Rudy Giuliani”

Chyron: “Fixed A Broken Economy”

Voice Over: “And cut taxes more than the others combined.”

Chyron: “Rudy Giuliani”

Chyron: “Cut More Taxes”

Voice Over: “Only Rudy has a plan to lower insurance rates.”

Chyron: “Rudy Giuliani”

Chyron: “National Catastrophe Fund”

Voice Over: “And pass the biggest tax cut in history. Tested in crisis. Ready to lead. Rudy Giuliani. The only one for Florida.”

Chyron: “Rudy Giuliani”

Chyron: “Biggest Tax Cut In History”

Mayor Giuliani: “I’m Rudy Giuliani and I approve this message.”

Rudy Giuliani Campaign Launches Television Ad “Some”

Rudy Giuliani Campaign Launches Television Ad “Some”

New York City - The Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee today announced the launch of “Some” on Florida television. The ad was first released yesterday on the web where it received a positive response from supporters and as a result “Some” will begin running on Florida television tomorrow.

Script for “Some”:

Voice Over: “Some say we don’t need a national catastrophe fund. That FEMA can handle disasters. Others say they haven’t looked at it yet and want to sit down with insurance companies first. Only one Republican candidate has proven experience dealing with disaster.”

Chyron: “Only one Republican candidate”

Voice Over: “Only one will fight for a national catastrophe fund. And only one has a plan to lower rates and fix the insurance mess. Rudy Giuliani. The only one for Florida.”

Chyron: “Lower insurance rates”

Mayor Giuliani: “I’m Rudy Giuliani and I approve this message.”

Rudy Giuliani Campaign Launches Florida Spanish Television Ad

Rudy Giuliani Campaign Launches Florida Spanish Television Ad

The Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee today announced the launch of a new Spanish television ad entitled “Un Plan.” The ad is airing in Florida.

Script for “Un Plan”:

Narrator: “Aumentan los impuestos – los seguros. A todos nos afecta. Rudy Giuliani tiene un plan. El recorte de impuestos más grande en la historia de este país.”

Chryon: “El recorte de impuestos más grande en la historia de este país”

Narrator: “Y Rudy Giuliani es el único candidato Republicano que apoya un fondo nacional para aliviar el alto costo de los seguros a la propiedad.”

Chryon: “Apoya un fondo nacional para aliviar el alto costo de los seguros a la propiedad.”

Narrator: “Sus logros demuestran su capacidad. Su visión nos da esperanza.”

Narrator: “Su visión nos da esperanza.”

Mayor Giuliani: “Soy Rudy Giuliani y apruebo este mensaje”

English Translation:

Narrator: “Taxes increase – insurance. We’re all affected.”

Narrator: “Rudy Giuliani has a plan. The largest tax cut in the history of this country.”

Chryon: “The largest tax cut in the history of this country.”

English Translation: “And Rudy Giuliani is the only Republican candidate that supports a national fund to provide relief with the high cost of property insurance.”

Chryon: “Supports a national fund to provide relief with the high cost of property insurance.”

Narrator: “His accomplishments demonstrate his capability.”

Narrator: “His vision gives us hope.”

Mayor Giuliani: “I’m Rudy Giuliani and I approve this message.”

Giuliani Senior Advisor Tony Carbonetti On South Carolina Republican Primary

Giuliani Senior Advisor Tony Carbonetti On South Carolina Republican Primary

Winter Park, FL – Rudy Giuliani’s Senior Political Advisor Tony Carbonetti released the following statement on the South Carolina Republican Primary:

“We congratulate Senator John McCain on winning the South Carolina primary. While the race remains wide open, we welcome the candidates to Florida for a real discussion of the issues we've been talking about since day one.  Florida voters know that in a field where one candidate twice voted against the Bush tax cuts and another wasn't even sure they were a good idea, Rudy is the only candidate who has a record of cutting taxes, a plan for the largest tax cut in modern American history, and a proven ability to jumpstart the economy.”

Rudy Giuliani Campaign Launches West Palm Beach, Florida Television Ad

Rudy Giuliani Campaign Launches West Palm Beach, Florida Television Ad

Winter Park, FL - The Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee today announced the launch of a new television ad entitled “It Matters.”  The ad is airing in West Palm Beach, Florida.   

Script for “It Matters”:

Voice Over: “When corruption ruled, he challenged it. When welfare failed, he changed it. When crime thrived, he fought it. When government broke, he fixed it. And when the world wavered. And history hesitated. He never did. Rudy Giuliani. Leadership. When it matters most.”

Mayor Giuliani: “I’m Rudy Giuliani and I approve this message.”

Rudy Giuliani Campaign Launches Florida Television Ad Entitled “Quotes"

Rudy Giuliani Campaign Launches Florida Television Ad

Winter Park, FL - The Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee today announced the launch of a new television ad entitled “Quotes.”  The ad is airing in Florida.   

Script for “Quotes”:

Chyron: “Rudy Giuliani is ‘the most successful tax cutter in the Republican field today’”

Chryon: “Grover Norquist, America’s Leading Tax Fighter”

Chyron: “Rudy Giuliani’s record is ‘the most successful episode of conservative governance in the past 50 years.’”

Chyron: “George Will, Conservative Columnist”

Chyron: “‘It’s time for the rest of the country to benefit from a true fiscal conservative who gets results like Giuliani.’”

Chyron: “Steve Forbes, American Tax Fighter”

Chyron: “Rudy Giuliani is more accomplished at cutting taxes than anyone else.”

Chryon: “Pat Toomey – Fox News 10/17/07 Club for Growth”

Chyron: “Giuliani tax cut plan … the biggest in history.”

Chryon: “Americans for Tax Reform.”

Chyron: “Mayor Giuliani has a great record of cutting taxes”

Chyron: “Mitt Romney”

Mayor Giuliani: “I’m Rudy Giuliani and I approved this message.”