Wanted: Southern Scandal-Free Campaigners For Giuliani

By John A. Tures
Associate Professor of Political Science
LaGrange College

(7/12/07) Most Republicans know that New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani is a tough sell in the South, where his liberal views are likely to turn off many of the region’s conservative vote. Lacking the military record of a John McCain, the newly-developed right-wing rhetoric of Mitt Romney, or the recent rise of native son Fred Dalton Thompson, Giuliani had to do something to at least neutralize the advantages of others, if sweeping the South was not an option.

Therefore, the Giuliani camp thought they had a winning strategy by locking up the support of several Southern conservatives who would serve as regional and state chairs for his campaign. They’d overlook his rhetoric and deliver some badly needed votes.

It is safe to say that while such a strategy seemed pretty sharp early on, it relied very heavily on the character of the men and women he chose. And over the past few weeks, it has completely blown up in his face.

“Exhibit A” is South Carolina State Treasurer Thomas Ravenel, who was indicted on federal cocaine charges in June. Though Ravenel stepped down as Giuliani’s South Carolina state chair, his father Arthur, a former congressman, still remains the campaign chair for the Southeast region of the state, according to the June USA Today story “Giuliani confronts string of bad news.” Democrats have accused the elder Ravenel of making “Macaca-like” statements, which might siphon away some liberally-minded voters.

“Exhibit B” just came this week in the form of Senator David Vitter. The conservative Republican from Louisiana, who has now been linked to the “DC Madam” and a New Orleans Madam, was Giuliani’s regional campaign chair for the South, according to Cain Burdeau in the Associated Press story “New Orleans Madam Names Sen. Vitter.”

Senator Vitter will probably resign from that post, but the damage is likely to be irreparable for the Giuliani campaign in the South. Already, he has spent the month watching other aides from his New York City days come under ethical clouds according to the USA Today story. Those were unlikely to play a role in the South, until now. Expect former Senator Thompson to be the key beneficiary. Romney’s former liberal statements and critique of Ronald Reagan will come out.