Rudy camp ramps up
Posted: Saturday, November 24, 2007 10:34 PM by Domenico Montanaro
From NBC/NJ’s Matthew BergerON THE GIULIANI CAMPAIGN BUSNASHUA, N.H. - There is a noticeable difference between the
Giuliani campaign with a bus and the same campaign without one. For several months, we’ve essentially been flying by the seat of our pants. Schedules got changed at the last second and the national media almost seemed like an afterthought as the campaign scheduled rallies around their hefty fundraising schedule.
But today’s events have a whole new dynamic. In addition to the wireless Internet-capable bus and the campaign-high seven events in one day, we were given a thorough schedule of the day in the morning, and instructions before every stop as to where to stand. Campaign surrogates like former Massachusetts Gov.
Paul Cellucci and Manchester Mayor
Frank Guinta have come to talk strategy or policy. And even Giuliani himself delivered Thanksgiving cake to the hungry press corps.
The numbers of reporters have ballooned. In addition to the regulars, all of the New York City tabloids are here, as are several national newspaper chains and numerous still photographers. Even Australian and Danish press made a cameo. For a campaign that never had a formal launch, this weekend almost seems like an unveiling.
The crowds, however, don’t seem to have gotten the message. A rally for Giuliani in front of Manchester City Hall garnered only a few dozen supporters. Backers of Ron
Paul and Dennis
Kucinich almost seemed to match them in numbers. Giuliani generates healthy crowds at town hall meetings, but they are not all loyalists. When it comes to rallies and events where partisans are expected in droves, Giuliani’s crowds disappoint. And the mainstream media has started to notice.
