Giuliani Confronts String of Bad NewsFred Thompson Waiting in the Wings

by Libby Quid, AP Writer: Republican presidential hopeful Rudy Giuliani has confronted a spate of bad news in recent days . . . . Unannounced candidate Fred Thompson and Mitt Romney outpace Giuliani in a Nevada poll released this week. Romney had the edge in Iowa and New Hampshire. Giuliani's campaign, seeking to reassure his supporters, sent out a memo Friday contending that he still is well-positioned to win the Republican nomination for president. . . .
Among Giuliani's woes:
- Giuliani's South Carolina chairman, state Treasurer Thomas Ravenel, was indicted on federal cocaine charges . . . Ravenel's 80-year-old father, Arthur, remains regional chairman . . .
- Giuliani drew criticism last week for failing to attend official meetings of the Iraq Study Group . . . Giuliani said he quit the panel after two months because it didn't seem that he could keep it focused on "a bipartisan, nonpolitical resolution." However, Newsday reported that instead of attending two meetings, Giuliani was at paid speaking engagements.
- NY Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who was elected in 2001 with Giuliani's support, last week switched from Republican to unaffiliated . . . a possible independent presidential bid.
- Victims' advocates called on Giuliani to fire Monsignor Alan Placa, a Catholic priest suspended from the church over abuse allegations, from Giuliani's security consulting firm. A Giuliani spokeswoman said . . . no plans to fire Placa, a childhood friend of Giuliani's.
- Former EPA chief . . . said New York City, under then-mayor Giuliani, was repeatedly told that Sept. 11 emergency workers on the debris pile should wear respirators to protect their lungs. . .
- Federal prosecutors are pursuing an investigation of Bernard Kerik, who was Giuliani's police commissioner and worked for his consulting firm.

All three leading Republicans - Giuliani, McCain and Romney - have dealt with bad news. Compounding their woes, however, is a GOP electorate hardly wowed by its choices - and Thompson waiting in the wings. [Read Full Article]

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