Why Giuliani uses the H-Card
As people questioned as a legitimate campaign tool, his campaign turned to another Republican wedge issue: Hillary Clinton.
The 1980 Reagan Revolution brought social wedge issues into the forefront -- mainly guns, god and gays -- which Republicans used to hold onto power in each even election year. Being that Giuliani is pro-gun control, does not wear his religion on his sleeve and is relatively tolerant of the gay community (compared to the other GOP candidates), he needed to invent a whole new wedge issue. His is :
The truth of the matter is, however, that Giuliani needs Clinton tocontinue to look like the frontrunner if he wants to have the bestchance of winning the Republican nomination next year.
Why?
It's no secret that Giuliani is far more moderate/liberal on socialissues like abortion, gay rights and gun control than the averageRepublican caucus or primary voter. Giuliani has largely neutralizedattacks from his rivals on these matters with a two-pronged message:you may not agree with me on everything but I am the best leader inthis field and I am the only candidate who can beat Hillary Clinton.
The latter appeal to electability has become more and more a part ofGiuliani's pitch to Republican voters. "We would have to view ourselvesas the underdogs and we should give ourselves the best chance to win,"Giuliani said in our interview late last week.
And for good reason. In a late September NBC/Wall Street Journalpoll, Republican voters were asked which of their candidates had thebest chance of defeating Clinton in the general election. Giuliani took47 percent as compared to 16 percent for former Sen. Fred Thompson(Tenn.), 14 percent for Sen. John McCain (Ariz.) and eight percent forformer Gov. Mitt Romney (Mass.).
It is no wonder that Giuliani does not spend time on actual issues. He would not be able to win the GOP nomination that way.
As far as Hillary Clinton, if she is a wedge issue in of herself, then Democratic voters might want to find a more electable candidate.
Comments