Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Is McCain the Other Friend of Rudy?   [Rich Lowry]

Here's part of the Hotline analysis today:

...as Romney vs. Giuliani heats up, could staying under the radar help McCain? The CNN/WMUR poll showed that NH GOPers were more open to supporting him than any other candidate besides Giuliani, meaning he has room to grow. His ability to stay statesman-like without looking too preachy on Iraq, could be a sharp contrast with bickering Northeasterners.
— The Romney/Giuliani debate on sanctuary cities also helps make the immigration issue everyone's problem, not just a McCain one.
— But even if McCain wins NH, where does he go? Polling in SC looks bleak. And, then there's the money. But if he and Huckabee trip Romney in IA and NH, it'd be a huge boost for Giuliani. And the more volatile the early-state scramble, the better life is for the 2/5-lovin' Rudy.

Along these lines, I was talking to an unaffiliated GOP strategist the other day who argues persuasively that the likeliest scenarios are that either Romney runs the table in the early states and wins the nomination or Rudy is the nominee.

11/27 01:50 PMShare