Bill Simon, Rudy Giuliani’s Director of Policy, has just appeared on Fox News’ “The Big Story with John Gibson” to discuss an alleged attack campaign that will perhaps begin shortly.
Romney’s plan is to attack Rudy on several fronts:
Team Romney will also insinuate that Giuliani will ruin the “GOP brand”.
In an age where every YouTube video is answered with another YouTube video, Mitt should pay heed to the old adage regarding those that live in glass houses.
Mitt probably has no choice at this point. Rudy currently has between a 20% to 40% lead on Romney depending upon which poll you believe. This, combined with Mitt’s very early foray into purchasing TV advertising, is likely an attempt to show some kind of progress before it’s too late.
Update 1: Allow me clarify this post so there is no misunderstanding Bill Simon was not brought on Fox News to make these allegations, he was brought on to respond to the story that Fox News was reporting.
Here’s is the exact quote from John Gibson spoken by him in the story’s introduction:
“Due to a scandalous leaked campaign memo, we know that Romney plans to bring down Giuliani for his liberal social views and so-called “ethical issues“.
Bill Simon was simply responding to this story by Fox News.
Update 2: Soren Dayton warns that attacking Rudy will backfire.
February 28th, 2007 at 5:47 pm
I don’t understand this. Why attack Giuliani for his social views if he had the same view on abortion just five years ago, maybe fewer? If anything, it shows that Giuliani can stick with an unpopular opinion, but Romney can’t.
February 28th, 2007 at 5:51 pm
If this is true I suspect it will hurt both Giuliani and Romney. McCain could gain by staying above the fray for now.
February 28th, 2007 at 5:52 pm
How would Bill Simon know an attack campaign is about to begin?
Even more bizarre how would he know what the line of attack would be on?
My guess is moving preemptively to call any criticism smears because they figure criticism of Rudy is bound to occur with his obvious vulnerabilities and poll numbers.
Let’s see whether any actual attacks show up in the next few days.
February 28th, 2007 at 5:54 pm
Nusrat,
I completely agree with you. Romney should in fact pay heed to such a series of attacks because there is far greater a chance of such attacks back-firing when Giuliani’s people start rolling out old debate clips and past television and print statements. Giuliani could make Mitt look like the GOP John Kerry 11 months out of Iowa, instead of two or three. Giuliani can then say in a commercial, “These are my views. Take’em or leave’em. I’m a Leader. I stand by my views. Can America trust another Flip-Flopper from Massachusetts to do the same?”
I wonder who will win that one?????
February 28th, 2007 at 5:55 pm
“How would Bill Simon know an attack campaign is about to begin?”
Supposedly it’s new information from the Romney strategy memo leak.
February 28th, 2007 at 6:04 pm
It is common for memos to contain detailed assessments of each candidate. My understanding was the memo dealt with Romney’s weaknesses as well as potential lines of attack against McCain as “eratic, too Washington”.
To say such a memo signals a imminent smear campaign is stretching it. I wonder why Rudy’s people would want to preempt an attack that likely isn’t coming for a long time?
February 28th, 2007 at 6:09 pm
I think it says something that Rudy and Romney’s campaigns can’t control information while McCain’s campaign has yet to suffer a leak or snafu.
It really is easier the second time around. I think people who rule out McCain fail to realize that the best experience in running for President is having done it already.
February 28th, 2007 at 6:20 pm
If it’ from that Document, I say it it’s highly suspect. It was a powerpoint presentation, mostly likely from a company bidding for Romney’s business. Everyone I have heard from the campaign says it wasn’t anything the campaign wrote.
February 28th, 2007 at 6:34 pm
Well, everyone knows about Rudy’s shortcomings. An attack?
Of course, if I had 5% in the polls I might be convinced to do something desperate.
Flap might remind the Mittster of the GOP 11th Commandment.
Back to drillin’
February 28th, 2007 at 6:35 pm
As much as I dislike Mitt’s lack of clear views, it’s good see that Rudy’s free pass will come to an end. Now people can see what this man’s REALLY like.
February 28th, 2007 at 6:36 pm
Flap…I have to say, I think the 11th Commandment is BS that only leads to blind party allegiance.
February 28th, 2007 at 6:50 pm
Sounds like Rudy supporters are getting their panties in a pre-emptive bind. Now we’re criticizing Romney for things his campaign hasn’t even done, based on the musings of team Rudy! Yippee!
February 28th, 2007 at 6:50 pm
With numbers in single digits, you can bet Romney is going to mount an attack campaign that will backfire on him. Americans want a leader that stands up not someone that goes negative the minute their numbers are not at the top. How Romney thought he could compete is beyond me as he has no leadership to offer except flip flopping. With Rudy what you see is what you get and it doesn’t come with pandering. Romney is all over the place.
February 28th, 2007 at 6:53 pm
Jason,
Everyone I have heard from the campaign says it wasn’t anything the campaign wrote.
Who cares?? Attack Romney!
February 28th, 2007 at 6:59 pm
Right on murphy. I read that same thing. That it wasn’t from the Romney camp. But any time there is a story about Mitt, you can expect anywhere from 10 to 30 attacks. I wonder why?????
February 28th, 2007 at 7:09 pm
It’s ironic how everyone says Romney shouldn’t attack because he has been attacked. ././ewp;t
February 28th, 2007 at 7:10 pm
Wow, Romney must really be desperate.
Although, I don’t think this strategy is going to be effective.
February 28th, 2007 at 7:10 pm
[...] don’t watch TV much, so I miss a lot of stuff. But Kavon Nikrad at Race4 2008 notices that Rudy Giuliani’s campaign thinks that Mitt Romney is preparing to whack [...]
February 28th, 2007 at 7:14 pm
eyeon08.com,
I agree, this will probably backfire on Romney.
“To do so would be a big, big mistake. Rudy is a hero. It will slime Rudy, but it will also slime Romney, perhaps even more. That’s what happened when Romney tried that against Sam Brownback”
February 28th, 2007 at 7:17 pm
Watch what happens. When these “attack ads” begin, some social conservatives will rally to Mitt and move against Rudy. But a LOT more will be disgusted that the attack ads have begun a year and a half before the election by a man who barely registers double digits in most GOP polls. Then Rudy will take the high road and refuse to “attack” Mitt personally annad just stick to his game plan of emphasizing the war on terror.
And at that point Mr Flip Flop Romney can kiss the 2008 Prez election goodbye.
He has now shown himself to be all hot air and ambition and totally devoid of presidential timbre.
February 28th, 2007 at 7:25 pm
[...] don’t watch TV much, so I miss a lot of stuff. But Kavon Nikrad at Race4 2008 notices that Rudy Giuliani’s campaign thinks that Mitt Romney is preparing to whack [...]
February 28th, 2007 at 7:26 pm
Give me a break! Everyone is talking like these ads will be airing nationwide on a set date next week. It’s likely that there won’t BE any ads! Just because a Giuliani staffer says that Romney may start attacking Rudy, does not mean he’s already purchasing air time. It sounds to me like the staffer is just paranoid.
February 28th, 2007 at 7:30 pm
In terms of appealing to conservatives Giuliani has a
spectacular notch on his belt – cutting off funding for
the Brooklyn Museum back in the day. This is such a red
meat conservative concrete action that he took, it will have
Conservative Christians salivating to vote for him. Neither
McCain nor Romney has ever actually done something, in the
real world, with such red meat red state appeal.
February 28th, 2007 at 7:30 pm
JayCee you are right on,
“But a LOT more will be disgusted that the attack ads have begun a year and a half before the election by a man who barely registers double digits”
This will destroy the Romney campaign. He will come off as desperate and mean spirited.
February 28th, 2007 at 7:37 pm
Let me clarify things so there is no misunderstanding… Bill Simon was not brought on Fox News to make these allegations, he was brought on to respond to the story that Fox News was reporting.
Here’s is the exact quote from John Gibson spoken by him in the story’s introduction:
“Due to a scandalous leaked campaign memo, we know that Romney plans to bring down Giuliani for his liberal social views and so-called “ethical issues“.
Fox News is reporting this as fact, so all of you Romney guys might want to email them with your complaints if you believe the story is wrong.
February 28th, 2007 at 7:52 pm
OK guys bottom line is this. I spoke personally to several high level staffers at the Romney campaign. One of them literally laughed out loud.
The secret PPT leaked the the Boston Globe is NOT their document. It’s backfired on Scott Helman.
Truth is… my dog made the PowerPoint
February 28th, 2007 at 7:54 pm
Kavon,
I just read you post quickly, it read (during a quick read)like Simon had some inside info. Sorry if I read it wrong.
If they are taking that 77page ppt thing literally, then it really makes me laugh. Bill Simon is a good guy, I just thought he was smarter than to fall for that.
February 28th, 2007 at 7:57 pm
Oy, time for a little recap:
Flap: Flap might remind the Mittster of the GOP 11th Commandment.
JayCee: He has now shown himself to be all hot air and ambition and totally devoid of presidential timbre.
TM: This will destroy the Romney campaign. He will come off as desperate and mean spirited.
All this frenzy is the result of Kavon posting on a Rudy staffer being questioned by FOX News about a “scandalous” (give me a break) leaked memo from the Boston Globe of all places, the origin of which has not even been shown to be Team Romney!!
BREATHE, people! You sound like you’re all going to fall over clutching your chests before the first debates!
February 28th, 2007 at 7:58 pm
However this doesn’t imply that any attack was coming because:
1) The memo might not have represented the Romney campaign’s actual stance (many memos are just trial balloons).
2) Even if accurate the memo included no method of attack and no timetable for beginning.
This is a non-story except for the Giuliani camp’s paranoid reaction to memo that is irrelevant even if it turns out to be authentic.
Rudy and Romney are playing this like amateurs. It really shows that this is their first Presidential campaign. Both have already had leaked strategy memos. It makes me wonder how tight of a campaign either one would run.
February 28th, 2007 at 8:01 pm
Jason,
No problem my friend
. I just wanted people to understand that Bill Simon was not hemming and hawing and spouting these accusations. It was John Gibson and Fox News reporting this story. Simon mostly took the high road during the interview and didn’t really hit back and the Romney camp.
February 28th, 2007 at 8:04 pm
Simon mostly took the high road during the interview and didn’t really hit back and the Romney camp.
Kavon, at what point was Team Rudy hit in the first place?
February 28th, 2007 at 8:12 pm
A few thoughts.
Any campaigns involving Alex Castellanos (Romney media chief) or John Weaver (McCain strategy chief) are going to go negative sooner rather than later. And since Giuliani is in the lead, guess where the former two campaigns are going to aim their initial salvos?
Since negative attacks from opponents are expected and reflect old-school, inside-the-beltway tactics that will position McCain and Romney as status quo, insider candidates, I don’t think they are Giuliani’s worst nightmare; those attacks may backfire and hurt McCain and Romney most in an election cycle where voters are looking for serious ideas and reform. What Giuliani has to worry about is that interest groups on the right (gun owners, religious groups, conservative organizations, etc.) start going negative on him and claiming he is an unacceptable GOP presidential nominee, which amount to much more credible and serious attacks.
February 28th, 2007 at 8:27 pm
How long was it before McCain went negative in 2000?
He definitely had more reason to do so then than now.
February 28th, 2007 at 9:03 pm
This is a really good example of a totally media-created story. The recipe:
- Start with a document with a questionable source
- Take one small piece of information from it
- Read into that one bit of information what “might” or could “possibly” happen
- Discuss with pundits as if your speculation is fact
- Enjoy the effects as people discuss your story as if it is reality
February 28th, 2007 at 9:21 pm
Republicans attacking a 911 hero on social issues, is not going to sit well with the base.
According to the Washington Post/ABC News poll, the top two issues for the GOP are:
Terrorism-Security
War in Iraq
Abortion and Moral Values came in at 6th place at 3%.
What happens when Republicans are informed of Rudy’s social views?
53% say it doesn’t make a difference or they are more likely to vote for him.
February 28th, 2007 at 9:56 pm
GOP Activist,
Yes. No “9-11 Hero” should ever be questioned on their liberal social issues. They get a free ticket to the white house.
February 28th, 2007 at 10:08 pm
From comment #1:
I don’t understand this. Why attack Giuliani for his social views if he had the same view on abortion just five years ago, maybe fewer? If anything, it shows that Giuliani can stick with an unpopular opinion, but Romney can’t.
How about this: Because it is the WRONG position and side to be on. I am so tired of the argument being made that at least he is willing to stand up for an unpopular position. The only way that this can be better than moving to the correct side is if you do not care about the issue. Even if Romney only made the change for political reasons and is willing to sacrifice this stance for the good of the Republican party (as if that’s never happened in politics before-rolling my eyes), that is still better than someone that supports the unpopular position.
The very nature of politics, and especially the two party system, requires that internal compromises be made. I take Romney on his word (as well as his action in the last couple of years in office) that he had a sincere change of heart on this issue. But even if this was just a poorly executed strategy to gain the Republican vote, then I still prefer the candidate that has stated he will defend my issue.
If Giuliani wants the pro-life vote (if nominated), he too will ask us to internally compromise our positions in supporting him against Hillary Clinton. That is a compromise I am willing to make (I’m not a one issue voter), but I would rather support the candidate that has already stated they support and will defend life.
February 28th, 2007 at 10:13 pm
Justijn,
Uh, it actually is a Romney document. It was revealed in the NY Daily News that a “top aide” drafted it. If it wasn’t the real deal, don’t you think Romney would’ve come come out right away to say so?
February 28th, 2007 at 10:30 pm
Does it really surprise anyone that Romney has a plan to defeat his opponents (especially given his successful business experience? To not have a plan would be negligent at best. Do you think that McCain and Giuliani haven’t jotted down Romney weakness and possible even a plan to communicate that.
I haven’t looked into the issue very deeply (I do have a day job), but I wonder if this might have been a way for Romney to attack without actually attacking (although looking at the string of comments, you would think he was already running negative ads).
I like a good candidate with the guts to identify and attack their opponents. We will need that in the upcoming election to defeat the Clinton machine. I see this as only a plus for Romney. I believe that it was also stated in the deck of slides that he would temper his attack (for obvious political reasons, oh no). I do love a good fight.
February 28th, 2007 at 10:31 pm
“No “9-11 Hero” should ever be questioned on their liberal social issues.”
Jason,
The polls indicate that this approach may not be very effective.
Romney should follow McCain’s example. When your campaign is in trouble, you need to find creative ways to increase popularity (ie Letterman), which will lead to an increase in the polls.
February 28th, 2007 at 10:45 pm
This is hilarious! There will not be by any attacks by Romney anytime soon if at all. It is way too early. Man, has this race got off to an early start or what? This is all speculation due to that leaked document which is not even Romney’s.
I can make the same assertion that Rudy will be attacked based upon this front runner status alone. Do I need a fake – leaked document to come up with that? This guy Bill Simon is a real Einstein. This has not happened. This is just a ploy by the Rudy team to preempt any fallout should this attack happen.
All candidates will have to come to terms with their weaknesses. Rudy has not really been taken to task for anything as of yet. He has enjoyed a free ride for the most part in the press due to his celebrity status much like Obama.
February 28th, 2007 at 10:53 pm
Romney is not going to attack anybody. He will, clearly but “gently,” remind the voters during debates of where he is on various “values” issues and where Rudy is. He may also remind them that Rudy apparently opposed welfare reform in the mid-1990s. When Mitt does so, he will be doing the GOP electorate a favor. He will also use any debates to remind the GOP electorate of the various demagogic, populist legislation pushed by Senator McCain since 2000. Basically, he’ll do some contrasting of his own record, positions and experience against Rudy’s and Romney’s. Sounds fair and necessary to me. But in the main, he will try to get more known and to define himself before the other candidates do so.
February 28th, 2007 at 10:54 pm
It’s not the Romney Camp Guiliani needs to worry about:
February 28th, 2007 at 11:06 pm
Marksal:
“…remind the voters during debates of where he is on various “values” issues and where Rudy is.”
I would not call this “attacking” – I’d call this just pointing out the differences.
I do agree with what you are saying there. All candidates will use 527’s to do their dirty work.
February 28th, 2007 at 11:21 pm
Jason,
Regarding #43, you are spot on.
March 1st, 2007 at 11:59 am
Rudy Giuliani Watch: Mitt Romney Attacks Rudy?…
Kavon had mentioned yesterday about bill Simon on Fox News responding to a story that Romney to Begin Giuliani Attack Campaign?
Is this it? Or the start, right before CPAC?
And how will the Giuliani camp respond?
Well, the Flapster is not a part of th…