Jan 24, 2008 7:38 pm US/Eastern
Rudy Remains Optimistic Despite Declining Signs
New Poll Has Giuliani Tied For Third In Sunshine State
BOCA RATON, Fla. (CBS) ―
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Rudy Giuliani splurged on Florida, lavishing time and money on a high-risk gamble that the state would vault him to the Republican presidential nomination. (File)
AP
As of Thursday night, Rudy Giuliani has lost his once firm grip on the state that is crucial to his presidential chances. Two new polls show that the former mayor of New York is tied for third in the Sunshine State.
Florida was supposed to be "Rudy Country." His game plan called for playing down earlier-voting states for a laser focus on Florida and its 57-delegate prize.
With the clock ticking down to his big moment, Giuliani warmed up by holding a rally near Thursday night's debate site.
"We need a leader who's optimistic, who's taken on challenges in the past."
But his situation is on the verge of critical. Giuliani has pegged everything on the Florida primary. But a poll Thursday shows he's lost an astonishing 26 points since November.
Aides advertised the Florida primary as his last stand, but the candidate failed to make any news this week, and time is simply running out. CBS 2's Andrew Kirtzman, who's followed Giuliani for years in New York, asked the candidate about Thursday night's debate.
CBS 2: "Is tonight the last chance to turn things around?"
Giuliani: No, a debate is never the last chance, the last chance is sometime on Monday, to turn it around."
A new poll has McCain leading with 25 percent of the vote, followed by Romney's 23 percent. Giuliani is tied for third with Huckabee at 15 percent.
At least outwardly, Giuliani has maintained a positive campaign despite what new polls and the media seem to be showing. Undeterred, Giuliani said, "We are going to accomplish it against the odds." "I'm going to continue my campaign. I have no plans to end my campaign. Of course I anticipate winning in Florida."
But that won't be easy.
He pumped more than $3 million into advertising and planted himself here, counting on a win to give him unbeatable momentum going into the voting by nearly two dozen states on Feb. 5. The nomination was to follow.
All that is in danger.
"In the last part of a campaign you want to be on an upswing and polls show slipping, its slippage at the worst possible time," said Susan MacManus, a professor of political science at the University of South Florida.
Giuliani is hoping his supporter turn out in force.
If he manages to reverse the current slide, it'll be hailed as a remarkable comeback. If he is unable to do so, his presidential dreams could be over before the race reaches New York.
It's possible that absentee and early voters could give Giuliani a bump in Tuesday's primary. He has get-out-the-vote programs catering to both, and these voters would have cast ballots before Giuliani's decline and McCain's ascent. He's also counting on a large number of New York retirees in Florida to carry him to victory, but its unclear how many are registered to vote, let alone as a Republican.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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