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Giuliani steps down and endorses McCain
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP)
ISSUE: 78/18
Rudy Giuliani was always a long-shot for the Republican presidential nomination, a brash New Yorker who backed gun control, abortion and gay rights in a party dominated by conservatives. The only surprise was that he lasted as long as he did as the national front-runner. The former New York mayor exited the race Wednesday and endorsed longtime friend John McCain, calling him an “American hero” and the candidate most qualified to be the next commander in chief.
Giuliani’s unconventional strategy of largely bypassing the early voting states and focusing on more populous, delegate-rich states produced just one delegate, a bunch of sixth-place finishes and made him the odd man out. His best showing was Florida, where he had staked his candidacy. He finished a distant third. It was a remarkable defeat for the ex-mayor who entered the race more than a year ago with an aura of invincibility, leading national polls and earning a reputation for toughness after his stewardship of New York as terrorists struck on Sept. 11, 2001.
This election year, the nation’s economic woes replaced terrorism as a top issue for voters, and with that change, much of the rationale for Giuliani’s candidacy disappeared. When voting began earlier this month, Republicans and Independents flocked to his rivals, the conservative McCain, businessman Mitt Romney and the ordained Baptist minister Mike Huckabee.
On Tuesday, after the Florida results, Giuliani delivered a valedictory speech that was more farewell than fight-on. “I’m proud that we chose to stay positive and to run a campaign of ideas in an era of personal attacks, negative ads and cynical spin,” Giuliani said as supporters with tight smiles crowded behind him. “You don’t always win, but you can always try to do it right, and you did.” As a candidate, the 63-year-old Giuliani was a collection of contradictions, so much so that he liked to joke that even he didn’t always agree with himself.
Giuliani, who voted for liberal George McGovern in 1972, became a Republican mayor of an overwhelmingly Democratic city. Campaigning for national office, he claimed to have created the most conservative government in the most liberal city in America. After earning a reputation as a tough-talking, even abusive executive, Giuliani, the presidential candidate, was mostly mild-mannered in debates, even as those around him got meaner. The risk was irrelevancy—and he found himself on the brink of it as his rivals racked up wins in Iowa, New Hampshire and elsewhere, and dominated media coverage for weeks.
Giuliani figured that he’d have a strong shot to win the nomination if different candidates won in the early states, making for a fractured contest and no one candidate riding a wave of momentum into Florida. That’s exactly what occurred; three candidates won in the first six states to vote. Yet, Giuliani still couldn’t prevail. His poll numbers dropped and key endorsements went to McCain. While Giuliani has long been known as efficient and tough-minded, he also can be brusque, rude and occasionally harsh.
Giuliani’s more moderate views also were an issue with some conservative voters. He favors abortion rights, but says he would appoint justices “very similar” to Samuel Alito and John Roberts, who have voted for abortion restrictions. He also supports gay rights, though he opposes gay marriage. And he backs gun control. With no working strategy in his presidential campaign, no primary victories and dwindling resources, the mayor’s third-place finish in Florida spelled the end of his run.
