Breaking News: Rudy Giuliani hints at dropping out

Rudy Giuliani appears to be pondering an end to his long pursuit of the Republican presidential nomination.

In a meeting in the back of his chartered plane en route to St. Petersburg, Fla., a short while ago, the onetime, longtime GOP front-runner told a small group of reporters, including The Times' Louise Roug: "The winner of Florida will win the nomination."

He then went on to predict he would win. And his spokeswoman, Maria Comella, said later he was speaking with confidence.

But that's an unusually categorical statement suggesting that only a total first-place upset by Giuliani, who trails both Mitt Romney and John McCain in all major polls for Florida's Republican primary tomorrow, will keep him in the competition, despite previous repeated vows to continue.

Giuliani's campaign, which led in national polls when it began and stayed there for many months, is showing signs of serious financial fatigue. This month his top staffers are foregoing their paychecks so the maximum amount of money can be invested to salvage his political fortunes in the Sunshine State, which was where Giuliani's late-state strategy was to kick into high gear.

So far, he's yet to finish first anywhere and ended up behind Rep. Ron Paul in Iowa and Nevada.

In his meeting with reporters today, Giuliani added that, no matter what happens Tuesday, he  definitely would  participate in the Republican debate co-sponsored by The Times on Wednesday at the Reagan Library.

--Andrew Malcolm

Photo credit: Don Emmert AFP/Getty Images

Comments

[Ron Paul Republican]

Do you want to capture Osama bin Laden? Ron Paul has a plan to capture Osama bin Laden:

http://www.lewrockwell.com/orig8/fisk5.html

http://www.ronpaul2008.com/articles/111/will-we-bring-bin-laden-to-justice

Elect Ron Paul and Osama bin Laden will be captured within 3 months.

[gary]

There's only one candidate that actually wants to LIVE and rule by the U.S. constitution. All others are "fringe" candidates. Go Ron Paul!!

[Ken R]

My biggest fear: Romney wins the nomination.

Why? Not because Romney wouldn't be an effective President. There's no way he would win. The Clintons would paint him as another George W. Bush. And like it or not folks, Bush is extremely unpopular and that label will be a death blow.

Look at the similarities:

Each are former governors with no experience with D.C. politics (run as an outsider).

Both come from political families.

similar business profiles - Bush, an oil magnate and part owner of a sports team. Romney a venture capitalist and ran the Winter Olympics.

Even though I think Romney's style of governing would not be anything like Bush's, you can't escape the fact that his political profile is similar to Bush's. And that will hurt him in the general election when facing the potent Clinton machine. Romney will also flip his positions again to appeal to the independents. Right now, he's trying to paint himself as a conservative but in the general election, he'll reverse back to the moderate he truly is

[David Robertson]

Here is a youtube from 2006 with Peter Schiff predicting real estate prices for 2007. Peter recently joined the Ron Paul campaign, along with Don Lufkin, as an economic advisor. Please note how every other commentator was laughing at him as he detailed how and why there would be a housing crash in 2007, due to poor lending practices. It was just like the way they laugh at Ron Paul and call him names and his supporters crazy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoZV5jt9puc

It will probably go to the convention in September and the contestants will likely be McCain/Romney vs. Ron Paul. In spite of being opposed by the GOP leadership, and the Old Media, Dr. Paul is growing in popularity because he has a real message and speaks the truth, not just more of the same old same old lies and deception. Perhaps the American people will wake up in time. I hope so. The world needs Ron Paul as President of the Republics of the united States of America, not just another CEO for Amerika Inc. controlled by the kleptocrats in the globosphere.

[Dob Bole]

I love how people think Ron Paul is done for!!! If Ron Paul is done for, so is the USA.

[JustDon]

You guys make me chuckle... the way you can say Ron Paul's name and with a straight face claim he might win the nomination.

Ron Paul... the crazy uncle in the family. Everybody likes the guy, but certainly wouldn't put him in charge of anything important...

[Greg Neubeck]

In selecting your Presidential candidate, please reflect on the dire consequences of a docile retreat before a relatively small band of Islamic extremists; and, attempt to formulate your own opinion as to the most prudent course of action in the defense of our Nation. It might assist to consider the following scenario: the infiltration of a group of terrorists similar to the Atta cabal with a quantity of weaponized anthrax procured from a rogue state; the acquisition of a single crop-duster aircraft fitted with a dry-agent disseminator; and, the dispersal of that dangerous toxin over an American population center. The loss of American life would be catastrophic. -Or-, is it preferable to pre-empt such fanatics by destroying them on their home turf, such as Afghanistan and Iraq, before they secure the capacity to threaten our homeland? The latter is in fact a key element in current American strategy. Is it advisable to support any candidate who would reverse course and sacrifice the impressive gains against Islamofacists that young Americans have shed their precious blood to achieve? The fact that we have not experienced another 9/11 is not a by-chance occurrence. Further, it's critical to appreciate the pivotal role that our own border security plays in our "war against terrorism", keeping in mind that "Amnesty" is anathema to border security. A Nation without enforceable borders will not long survive as a Nation. Mitt Romney is exceedingly strong on each of these principles.

Greg Neubeck

[Chuck Barnett]

Hey go and get the Hillary "Rob'em" Clinton bobble head doll ;) It has her to do list which lists: raise taxes, universal health care & gun control

www.hillaryrobemclinton.com

[tony ddt]

"Sheesh1 You Ron Paul people are still around? You're candidate has unequivocally proved that he has no business in this race. Money doesn't equal votes, but he will do the party a service if he sticks to using his money to promote small government and low taxes; and stays away from his wacky Blame America theories on Iraq."
Posted by: PRE

You are the stupidest moron on earth and a war monger who condones us murdering innocent people. You 1/2 agree Paul is what we need to save the Republic, then you stupidly follow Gouliani thinking that they hate our freedom. Wake up dip stick, they hate us because we are on their land. What are we doing there in the first place? How pissed would you be if Chinese army was running all over this country? You would kill as many as you could, right? Maybe you should just shut your mouth, as that way, we don't know how stupid you are. End all wars, bring every one of our troops back on our soil, and quit meddling in the business of other countries. Protect our border & vote for Ron Paul.

[Jasper]

I guess rudy tootie the gun grabber is getting tired of finishing behind Ron Paul?
Will he just stay in Florida and retire on his government pension?
http://www.spymac.com/details/?2334927

[Rexblade]

I know some of you really really want Mitt Romney but honestly that man is a professional actor. And all of his strategies for saving the economy are doomed from the start since he wont address the connection between foreign policy (policing the world) and a sky rocketing deficit. What was that price tag for the Iraq war 6-7 Trillion? And thats somehow an acceptable price tag for a country who's dollar is hanging on the edge of becoming the world s first -currency? YOU CANNOT PLAY EARTH COP/BULLY AND NOT GO BROKE. I REALLY REALLY HOPE I WONT HAVE TO UPDATE THIS POST IN A YEAR AND HALF JUST TO SAY "I TOLD YOU SO"

[Tannim]

Amazing. Ignorant straw men and insults against Dr. Paul and libertarians abound here. The Kool-Aid overdosers and justified critics of McCain, Romney, and Giuliani abound as well.

Rudy polling 4th in FL is not a win, unless he defines a win as finally beating Dr. Paul in something. He's done in the next 18 hours.

This is all laughable, actually, since anybody should be able to put aside the rhetoric and look at the tactics and clearly see what's going on here: Romney and McCain are so busy bashing each other that they don't realize they are making themselves look even more foolish than they actually are. Huckabee is heading out soon, as is Rudy. Meanwhile, everything that Dr. Paul PREDICTED about the economy and the war is coming true before our very eyes. He's just sitting back and watching the others beat themselves up. Being ignored by the Old Media has been a blessing, since by the time they're done it'll be 1 or 2 of them totally battered and Dr. Paul, and at that point it's easy pickings since thier antics have given him all the ammunition he needs to bury them in a barrage of their own words. Dr. Paul has obviously read "The Art of War" and is putting it in play masterfully. His bamboozling of McCain at the last debate was just one sign of what's to come. You heard it here first, expect a similar bamboozling of either Huckabee or more likely Romney tomorrow in Simi Valley.

Crunch time, folks, and this is getting FUN!

Kudos to Andrew and this blog for actually covering Dr. Paul fairly.

RP08!

[JN in VA]

I'd originally thought it was the media who perpetuates a lot of the bickering and childish behavior among candidates. As I've read the posts here over the last few days though it seems that the same practice is just as alive & well in the general public & electorate.

C'mon people stop sniping at each other. Jumping someones case does NOT help the situation. If you REALLY wanted what was best for this country you'd ALL have a serious & direct dialog about the ISSUES. I'd be willing to bet most of you are so entrenched in your mindset that you'd NEVER consider a candidate from another party.

I used to be like that until a Democratic Congressman from my home town got elected & actually did a LOT for my area. We had one of the nations first "electronc villages" over the internet & he has had a leading role in improving a LOT of things for this area.

It would really be nice if those of you that are die-hards would TRULY take a look at the issues & stances of the politicians and compare them to your own views. I think if a lot of you did that instead of automatically discounting one party or the other or having such hatred for one candidate or the other that the tone of politics & the condition in our country might actually start to improve.

It'll never happen but in some ways I think it wouldn't be a bad idea for voters to have to justify WHY they are supporting or voting for a candidate through some sort of test, like an exam. Saying that you won't vote for this person because they're a Republican, that person because she's a woman, this one because he's black, that's pathetic & frankly comes across as racist, sexist etc.

Granted maybe some are anti-tax, pro-life, pro gay marriage, anti gun control etc., etc. but does that mean automatically ruling out someone ENTIRELY? If you are really for (or against) a candidate, I think you should have the knowledge, courage & intelligence to state the reasons why. No I don't mean that everyone should have to make a laundry list of pro candidate A, anti candidate B, etc. But it sure beats bashing the Republicans just because of their party or because your anti-Bush or anti-war or bashing Hillary because she's a woman or Obama because he's African-American.

I THOUGHT we were, to a large extent, above sexism & racism in this country but it appears we aren't. To me, being anti-Republican or anti-Democrat or anti-whatever, is pretty much the same thing. You're discounting someone based SOLELY on their party just the same as someone who is against another person based on their gender or skin color, disability or religious beliefs. That's NOT the way to be, especially in a FREE country that is one of the most, if not (or at least supposed to be) THE most tolerant in the world. Plus, last time I checked, discrimination based on those things is ILLEGAL.

Some of you really need to grow up & take off your blinders. How would you like it if someone were against you just because you had brown hair or blue eyes, walked with a limp or had an accent. It's time a lot of people stopped being petty & started getting real! The media, those fanning the flames in blogs like this, ANYONE who is doing nothing about the issues & only perpetuating the rhetoric through finger pointing & trash talking is doing themselves and our country a disservice I think.

[Todd]

Islamo terrorism? bwahaha, puhleez

if we would simply protect our borders and enforce our laws...

Everyone who has warned us about the dreaded terrorists have been found to be lying about everything else. Why believe this?

Go ahead give up your civil liberties, you were not using them anyway.

Running another warhawk, especially one soft on illegal immigration will only get a D elected.

PS If you borrow from China, to send money to people to purchase goods manufactured in China....whose economy are you stimulating? Government educated nitwits. If you cant figure this out, you do not deserve Ron Paul.

Boil the froggie now with Clinton, rather than slowly cook it with McRomabee. Maybe the heat will rise so rapidly that the froggie will hop out of the boiling pot.

[Dino]

Just my two cents ???

BY Rudy,watch out for the door! Another CFR snake bites the dust! Pretty soon everybody will be picking up a copy of the constitution to see what it says and what America is about. They were schooled in our public schools and didn't get to see it there. All a person has to consider is who took the pledge to protect the Constitution against all threats and who has kept their pledge. They all take it and only our young men and women in uniform die for it.

Only one candidate for president and very few representatives of the people keep that oath--but they are more than willing to send our young off to die. Why would we let someone who does not keep that oath even run for office again? Iraq was a lie! We were the agressor with out a decleration of war-AGAIN. Wonder why the Dollar is going through the floor? Give me the power to print Americas money out of nothing with nothing backing it!

Guess that would be against the law! It is for the Federal Reserve bankers too--since they are private bankers and nothing federal about them but the name. The bunch that swear that oath taking office knows this is a fraud.

Only one person wants to end this fraud --Ron Paul. There is no greater threat to our nation than the Federal Reserve.

[Awesome Man]

Awesome, an article about Rudy dropping out which was a shoddy piece in the first place and the Ron-bots come in and mention his name 129 times in the comments.. Just give it up already.

[David]

Chuck,

In case you didn't know there are many Jews voting for Ron Paul. The ideals of the constitution and liberty are universal and do not discriminate. You make yourself and other Ron Paul supporters look ignorant when you state things the way you do. Libertarian ideals do not encourage bigotry and racism.

[matrix]

Ghouliani keeps saying he will win Florida because Jeb told him so. ; )

Go Ron Paul!!!!

[Ken]

Actually, Rudy is the worst of a truly bad lot of Republican candidates. After the Bush debacle of the last 8 years I wouldn't vote for any of them. Ron Paul is not any kind of saviour, just another fringe nutcase. It's time for a sea change. I'll vote for whoever the Democrats have. Either Clinton or Obama are far better candidates then any of the Republicans.

[Vote Freedom]

It would be comical if it weren’t so sad. All your favorite candidates are owned by the same bankers and special interest.

Please look at the links below and notice that Hillary and Rudy are owned by the same major banking contributors (same for other major candidates too). These SAME special interest groups own BOTH parties. They also own most of the old newspaper/television mainstream media which distorts the electoral process.

Hillary Contributors
http://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/contrib.asp?id=N00000019&cycle=2008

Rudy Contributors
http://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/contrib.asp?id=N00009908&cycle=2008

The media makes you think you actually have a choice by stirring up debate over petty issues. But on the big issues like Federal Reserve, foreign policy, and big government... most Democrats and Republicans are exactly the same. Or at least they become the same once they get elected. Same old BS. It's time for a change. A real change.

Dr. Ron Paul is the only major candidate not owned by special-interest, big corporations, bankers, lobbyists, etc. Ron Paul’s support comes from regular American individuals (average donations is $50). Ron Paul raised nearly $20 million from regular patriotic Americans in the 4th quarter.

I am hopeful that the internet will help restore balance in our electoral process by allowing the truth to flow freely (as seen in this blog).

Ron Paul is the man of integrity and courage that America needs at this time.

Good News - The record setting donations to Ron Paul by regular Americans sends a clear message to politicians in Washington that you can actually generate more campaign contributions by obeying the constitution and being honest than by selling your soul to special interest crooks. So politicians in Washington - Do the right thing - Obey the Constitution like you swore to do and you will be rewarded. The internet makes all this possible by allowing good Americans to bypass corrupt MSM and give our support to good politicians who follow the Constitution.

Ron Paul is a ‘statesman’ who stays true to the Constitution regardless of political shifts in the wind. His 20 year voting record proves this.

Join the Revolution -- Vote Ron Paul!

[raelene]

Goodbye Rudy, hello Ron!!

I can't wait to prove the media WRONG!

Go Ron Paul!

[matrix]

Replacing a skull and bonesman with a CFR agent isn't going to get us anywhere. Billary, McRombee, Obama and the rest of the CFR club will make sure our country is assimilated into the North American Union. Read it for yourself at
http://www.cfr.org/publication/8102/

Ron Paul is the only candidate who isn't affiliated with the CFR. Research! Your kids will have to live with every decision you make today.

[alex]

Be honest their is no difference between Bill's pretend " Wife", Willard, Hussein, or the warmongering "Christians". Same....

Ron Paul has received the most money from Active Duty Military, because their country and this election is important to them.

VOTE RON PAUL!

[Joe]

It's actually kind of interesting to think how Ron Paul would have done if he would have theoretically run as a democrat -- since he is running on the platforms of the economy and war. These are what I constant here as big topics in the democratic party.

[Bobby]

As of this time, Giuliani has bailed and endorsed , John,"Americans wouldn't pick lettuce for fifty dollars an hour", "open borders", McCain. Now you know why you shouldn't have voted for Giuliani.

[stephen]

Its time to back Mitt Romney the only true conservative candidate. I agree with Sean Hanity