The Wall Street Journal-20080124-Campaign -08- Washington Wire - Insight and Analysis From WashWire-com
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Campaign '08: Washington Wire / Insight and Analysis From WashWire.com
GOP Polls Focus on Democratic Hopefuls' Flaws
Republican Party Chairman Mike Duncan offered up some internal polling yesterday to make the case that voters aren't so impressed with either of the Democratic front-runners. He thinks their flaws will help the eventual Republican nominee when it comes to a one-on- one matchup.
Mr. Duncan said the Republican polling showed that 49% of voters agree that Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York is "honest and trustworthy," while almost two-thirds -- 65% -- agree that she "will say or do anything to get elected." Highlighting what again will be a key line of attack for Republicans on the economy, more than two- thirds agreed that she will raise taxes, Mr. Duncan said at a Christian Science Monitor breakfast with reporters.
As for Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois, 40% think he "has the experience necessary to be commander in chief," while 49% think he has "a record of accomplishment," and 44% of voters agree that he "can unite Democrats and Republicans in Washington," according to Mr. Duncan.
Republicans said the poll was based on contacts with 800 registered voters Jan. 13-15. The group didn't immediately release the entire wording of the questions or other details.
The Republican National Committee already has spent months tearing at the leading Democratic candidates through email and Web-site releases. Mr. Duncan hinted that more details are likely to come from RNC opposition research, particularly regarding Mrs. Clinton. "I'm not sure anyone has been thoroughly vetted," he said, turning around Mrs. Clinton's claim that she's the candidate who's battle-tested.
-- John D. McKinnon
Giuliani: Storm-Ready
Rudy Giuliani continues to pitch himself as a great guy in a crisis -- even a Florida hurricane. The Giuliani camp's latest Web ad ahead of Florida's Jan. 29 primary suggests the former New York mayor will know what to do if the Big One strikes, just as he knew what to do after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
The ad, titled "Some" and featured on his campaign site, www.joinrudy2008.com, pushes Mr. Giuliani's plan for a national catastrophe fund -- a popular idea with many Floridians. "Some say we don't need a national catastrophe fund. That FEMA can handle disasters," the ad states. "Others say they haven't looked at it yet and want to sit down with insurance companies first."
The ad states that "only one Republican candidate has proven experience dealing with disaster." It then flashes to a shot of Mr. Giuliani in New York after the 9/11 attacks, wearing a New York Fire Department baseball cap and a face mask. The ad concludes: "The only one for Florida."
On the airwaves, Mr. Giuliani has been pushing his tax-cutting prowess, calling himself the "most successful tax-cutter in the Republican field" -- an important quality in a state that so dislikes taxes that its electorate will also decide on a state constitutional amendment aiming to ease property taxes.
-- Mary Lu Carnevale
