Why Won't Giuliani Throw A Punch?

Fox News's Oinounou notices...

As does CBS News Giuliani watcher Ryan Corsaro, who writes that Giuliani declined to endorse his surrogate's contention that John McCain was out of touch.

“I don’t believe that Republicans should be attacking each other. I think we should be pointing out our policy decisions. I supported the Bush tax cuts, John McCain voted against them, Mitt Romney was equivocal on them. That’s a difference, a policy difference. My tax plan, you can contrast it with their tax plan, it’s different. Some of it’s the same some of it’s different…”

And how's that working you, Mr. Mayor?

Some things to keep in mind:

(1) Maybe Giuliani knows that he has a reputation for nastiness and doesn't want to replenish the tanks for that stereotype.

(2) Maybe Giuliani really likes John McCain and doesn't want to hurt his feelings. Or maybe he believes that McCain will be the nominee and doesn't want to hurt him too much.

(3) Maybe Giuliani is content to let the surrogates have their way with McCain because that forces the press to ask Giuliani why he's not joining in, which forces the press to report the iniital slurs?

(4) Maybe Giuliani believes that if he keeps his message to policy, he'll rise above the fray. Problem is: McCain isn't really responding to Mitt Romney either. And, come to think of it, Romney's off in his own world of optimism.

Comments

Hello, Marc-

I'd like to offer my own theory as to why-

Rudy would vastly prefer for McCain to get the nomination, rather than Mitt. So he doesn't want to do anything that would hurt McCain's chances of coming in ahead of Mitt, whether that means 2nd rather than 3rd (or more importantly, 1st rather than second...)

Let's examine these theories in turn...

1) Avoiding a reputation for nastiness - Plausible.

2 a) and 2 b), I think, are the most compelling.

2) a) Friendship w/ McCain - I think that might be the most important factor. They have traded soft punches in the debate, but very soft, and I doubt one is going to start running negative ads about the other.

2) b) Likewise. Rudy might be looking at his dismal finishes up till now, the fact that he's now trailing in NY and NJ and Conn, and concluding that a) he's not going to win in Fla and b) even if he does, it might not matter enough to save his candidacy. So if McCain's going to win anyway, why throw away their friendship over it?

3) Allowing surrogates to be nasty. Plausible.

4) Above the fray. Also plausible, and much more so when it seemed to be a five-way contest. But now with Fred done and Huck possibly leaving, that leaves Rudy very much in the fray.

Thoughts?

Posted by ElectionNightHQ.com (McCain site) Publisher | January 22, 2008 4:31 PM

GO ROMNEY!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by Steven Rinehart | January 22, 2008 7:07 PM

Marc... I think you are way off. Have you seen Rudy's website? He has a whole page dedicated to discrediting McCain on his record. Rudy doesn't even mention Romney. He doesn't have anything to fight Romney on when it comes to the issues otherwise I think he also see a page on Romney. Rudy wants to win, I think he cares more about coming in first.

With democrats getting so ugly with each other, best for all republican candidates to stick to the issues.

Posted by Anna | January 22, 2008 9:01 PM

likely giuliani also would like a shot of "VP with a 71 year old Prez." Just so long as we don't get saddled with Mr Mormony Hubbard.

Posted by CharlesTheBald | January 22, 2008 10:22 PM

Vice President of Demogogary
That snickering at Ron Paul has to pay off, right?

Heck that should white wash the fact he is a cross dressing lunatic.

Posted by Teflon R | January 23, 2008 12:29 AM

Giuliani,
Thank you for support during 9/11. However, I think you should have run as a democrat against Hillary and Obama. You would have had a better chance since your views don't mesh with the Republican party as can be seen by your dismal poll numbers.
At this point, my money is on Romney. Voters are concerned about the economy and he understands business better than anyone else running, including the democrats. With China soon overtaking us, India growing rapidly and Russia doing well due to the price of oil, we will need someone who really understands economics to help us out.

Posted by John S. | January 23, 2008 12:29 AM

No snickering at Dr. Paul's economic and monetary stance tough, huh Rudy.
America your getting the same answers, tools, to fix the economy. The standard of life continues it's swan dive. The crux of the problem is the privately held FEDERAL RESERVE.
Romney's answer: print more money and devalue the dollar and steal the wealth from people who work hard and save.
Save the Banks, save Wall Street, shaft the taxpayer.

Dr. Paul schools the FEDERAL RESERVE on youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVCStbbIvDg&feature=related

Posted by Ralph Z | January 23, 2008 12:35 AM

I will be glad for the day when we get past the immature and degrading remarks about a persons religion, race or gender. Let's stick to the issues.

Mitt Romney is by far the better candidate, and I strongly feel that Mitt Romney is the only candidate that can turn our economy around. He is brilliant in business and he has integrity that is so badly needed in this country.

I think the fact that he has the millions to invest in his own campaign speaks volumes. He obviously knows business and how to invest money wisely. I know he would do the same for America. I'm definitely voting for Mitt!

Posted by April | January 23, 2008 6:01 PM