Wash Times on Rudy, Social Conservatives

Don't underestimate Giuliani.

Star power of Giuliani may win over conservatives
By Ralph Z. Hallow
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
Published December 22, 2006

Social conservatives -- contrary to conventional wisdom -- will seriously consider supporting the Republican presidential aspirations of Rudolph W. Giuliani even though he's a pro-choice, anti-gun New Yorker, political analysts and operatives say. Republicans in the early primary states in the South and the West may disagree with Mr. Giuliani's stance on abortion and gun control, but they admire his response to the September 11 attacks and, more importantly, they think he can win in November.

Scott Malyerck, executive director of the Republican Party in South Carolina, an early primary test, said voters recognize Mr. Giuliani as a strong, decisive leader and a decision maker.

"John McCain and Mitt Romney have been working hard in South Carolina over the past year," Mr. Malyerck said. "Even though Rudy Giuliani has not formally gotten his campaign up and going, he has been treated like a rock star across the state at rallies and fundraisers alike."

Mr. Giuliani leads every other Republican -- including Mr. McCain, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and outgoing Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney -- in national and many state presidential preference polls of Republican voters.