Jan 22, 2008 8:09 pm US/Eastern
Anti-Abortion Protesters Crash Rudy's Fla. Party
Storm Event, Chant 'You're A Traitor To Republican Party'
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS) ―
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Former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani speaks during the CNN/YouTube Republican presidential candidate debate Nov. 28, 2007, in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Stan Honda/AFP/Getty Images
The struggles for Rudy Giuliani continue as he looks to boost his falling numbers back up in Florida, a key state in his campaign strategy.
CBS 2 HD was in West Palm Beach on Tuesday with Giuliani, who had an unpleasant run-in with some very vehement opponents. Some brief chaos broke out when some anti-abortion protestors crashed his appearance at a local deli, chanting "You're a traitor to the Republican Party."
Giuliani's pro-choice views have always caused him problems. His bigger issue now is that many of his supporters have abandoned him since he abandoned the early primaries.
His poll numbers have been plummeting -- even in New York.
When asked by CBS 2 HD the following, Giuliani stuck to his party line:
CBS 2 HD: "Some Republicans are beginning to wonder whether maybe they should vote for John McCain. His numbers are going up and yours are going down."
Giuliani: "We've put a heavy emphasis on Florida. We think a victory here will help us in all the Feb 5 states, including New York."
On Tuesday, Giuliani shifted his message away from terrorism and Sept. 11. With the markets in turmoil and a recession looming, he portrayed himself as an experienced manager.
"Of all the people running for president, I've had the most experience in turning around a government and turning around an economy. I actually accomplished that in New York," Giuliani said.
If Giuliani has a chance in this state, it's here in South Florida. The Republicans are more moderate, and ex-New Yorkers abound.
Gregg Gelinas worked at the World Trade Center.
"I thought he was tremendously powerful," Gelinas said of Giuliani. "I think it's times like that that prove the leadership of a man."
But some ex-New Yorkers have long memories.
"Even in New York, used to beat up on squeegee guys, beat up on the little guy. There's a kind of arrogance about him," Steve Nussbaum said.
Added ex-New Yorker Harvey Metzger: "When he was mayor in the city, the economy was doing well, so he looked good. I don't know what kind of job he'd do with the economy in a recession."
But the candidate is hoping that emphasizing his record leading New York in tough times will help him survive some tough times of his own.
Both Giuliani and McCain were in New York City Tuesday night for fundraisers.
McCain is also receiving the endorsement of former Sen. Alfonse D'Amato.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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