SNEAK PEEK: Giuliani Woos Conservatives
Giuliani steps up to the plate, swings for the fences with conservative activist
October 19, 2007— -- Saturday morning will be Rudy Giuliani's turn to step up to the plate and take a swing at wooing conservative voters at the Family Research Council Washington Briefing: Values Voter Summit.
It's no easy task, but not the first time in the last month that Giuliani has addressed a crowd he doesn't see eye-to-eye with. A phone call from his wife Judith helped him out at the NRA conference, but can he try that again on Saturday morning?
The crowd of over 2000 in Washington has heard from the entire Republican presidential field and the key question for Saturday will be who has emerged as a clear favorite, if anyone.
Over 4000 people, all members of FRC Action, are expected to vote in Saturday's straw poll and they will be asked to answer three questions:
1. Which of the following candidates for president would you be most likely to vote for? (candidates are listed alphabetically)
2. Who of the following candidates would be least acceptable to you as President of the United States? (choose one candidate only)
3. Please indicate which issue is the most important in determining your opinion of the candidate that you will most likely vote for – choose one:
-Abortion, including partial birth abortion and taxpayer funded abortion
-Same-sex marriage
-Embryonic stem cell experimenting
-Tax cuts
-Prayer in schools
-Public display of the Ten Commandments
-Federal hate crime legislation
-Reinstatement of the fairness doctrine
-Taxpayer funding for abortion
-Permanent tax relief (marriage penalty and child tax credit)
-Voluntary student-led prayer in schools
-Enforced obscenity laws
Participants are given a specific ID number and can only vote once, in person or via the Internet or mail. Results are announced at 3pm ET Saturday and summit organzier Tony Perkins holds a media availability immediately after.
The straw poll is, of course, non-binding and largely meaningless and the results should not be read as representative of the social conservative movement writ large. However, the Value Voters straw poll can serve as a testament to a campaign's ability to organize and motivate participants at this particular gathering.
Morning Session: 8:45 am ET to 12:00 pm ET
- Rudy Giuliani- Mike Huckabee
A top adviser to now-dropped out Sam Brownback heaped praise on Rudy Giuliani on Friday and told ABC News' Teddy Davis that an endorsement of the former New York mayor is a distinct possibility before the first votes are cast in the Republican presidential contest.
"He is making the same calculation that Republican primary voters are," said the adviser who spoke about Brownback's endorsement plans on the condition of anonymity. "Every indication is that Hillary Clinton will be the Democratic nominee and we will really have to sit down and ask ourselves: if that's the binary -- Clinton or non-Clinton -- ask yourself who is the most likely non-Clinton."
But later Friday, Brownback indicated through spokesman Brian Hart that an endorsement of Giuliani is not going to happen either now or in the future.
"I just spoke to Sen. Brownback," said Brownback spokesman Brian Hart. "He is not endorsing anyone today and he has no plans to endorse Mayor Giuliani at any time."
This reversal is probably music to Family Research Council President and summit organizer Tony Perkins's ears. He has a decidedly different view than the Brownback adviser and told reporters last week that in the eyes of social conservatives, there is no distinction between Clinton and Giuliani. "They are not identical, but when you consider those who have come into the race on an ideological path, they are not there to advance a party; they are sold out to advancing causes," Perkins said. "So, you get to the point where you have 2 candidates that are hard to separate between the issues."
More from ABC News' Davis:A Giuliani endorsement from Brownback, who ran for president on a "pro-life, whole life" platform and is ending his bid for the GOP's presidential nomination on Friday in Topeka, Kas., could signal to the political world that Giuliani has made significant progress in downplaying his support for abortion rights by emphasizing his commitment to appoint "strict constructionist" justices to the Supreme Court in the mold of current Justices Antonin Scalia, John Roberts, and Sam Alito.
"As long as we're in the Roe world, judges are the whole ballgame," said the Brownback adviser.
ABC News Polling Director Gary Langer reports that given his position on abortion and gay civil unions, Giuliani's support for the Republican nomination is considerably weaker among evangelicals as compared with other Republicans. Among non-evangelical Republicans (including Republican-leaning independents), Giuliani has nearly triple the support of his closest competitor, Fred Thompson (38-14). Among evangelicals, they're tied (23-22).
More from ABC News' Langer: Yes – Republican evangelicals are less likely to flatly rule out Giuliani than any of the other top contenders. But he does have a tough row to hoe: In an ABC News poll in June, 75 percent of evangelical Republicans (vs. 42 percent of other Republicans) said Giuliani's support for legal abortion and gay civil unions made them "less likely" to support him. The question is whether they find a preferable alternative.
Saturday evening Virginia Sen. Jim Webb addresses the New Hampshire Democratic Party Annual Jefferson Jackson Dinner in Manchester. The event is sold out - 1300 tickets sold at $50 each.
Sunday evening the Republican field gathers in Orlando FL for their seventh debate, sponsored by Fox News and airing at 8pm ET
Saturday, Oct. 20
On the campaign trail…
RUDY GIULIANI
--9:10 am ET: Delivers remarks at the Washington Briefing 2007 Summit held at the Hilton Washington, DC.
--4:30 pm ET: Delivers remarks at the Presidency IV, Presidential Candidate's Rally in Orlando, FL.
MITT ROMNEY
--5:30 pm ET: Delivers remarks at the Presidency IV Presidential Candidates Rally in Orlando, FL.
-- 6:30 pm ET: Visits the Republican National Hispanic Association Reception in Orlando, FL
-- 7:00 pm ET: Visits the Florida Federation of Black Republicans Reception in Orlando, FL.
-- 7:30 pm ET: Hosts an Ice Cream Social for supporters in Orlando, FL.
JOHN MCCAIN
-- No public events scheduled
TOM TANCREDO
-- 10:45 am ET: Londonderry GOP Annual Breakfast in Manchester, NH.
--1:00 pm ET: Keene Pumpkin Festival in Keene, NH.
MIKE HUCKABEE
--11:10 am ET: Addresses the 2nd Annual Washington Briefing 2007 Summit held at the Hilton Washington, DC.
-- 12:30 pm ET Media Availability in Washington Hilton
On the Democratic side…
HILLARY CLINTON
-- 11:30 am ET: Attends "Organizing for Change" events at Oak Park Elementary School, Des Moines, IA
--2:30 pm ET: Attends "Organizing for Change" event at Northwest Park, Carroll, IA
--7:00 pm ET: Attends "Organizing for Change" event at Chautauqua Park, Storm Lake, IA
--8:00 pm ET: Attends the Annual Polk County Democrats Fall Dinner and Auction in Des Moines, IA.
BARACK OBAMA
-- No public events scheduled
MICHELLE OBAMA
--12:45 pm ET: Michelle Obama, with her daughters, speaks at the "Child Advocacy Task Force and New Hampshire Women for Obama" at a children's fair in Londonberry, NH.
--2:15 pm ET: Attends a house party in Salem, NH.
--4:30 pm ET: Obama Campaign stop in Manchester, NH.
JOHN EDWARDS
-- 2:15 pm ET: Attend the Carpenter's Union International Training Center Rally in Las Vegas, NV.
--2:45 pm ET: Media Availability.
CHRIS DODD
--9:45 am ET: Attends a meet and greet at Chez Vachon Restaurant, Manchester, NH
--11:00 am ET: Attends a meet and greet at Red Arrow Diner, Manchester, NH
--11:30 am ET: Speaks at the "End the War Day of Action" event at the Dodd for President Headquarters, Manchester, NH.
--4:30 pm ET: Attends the IAFF Pre-Jefferson-Jackson Party at the New Hampshire Radisson Hotel, Manchester, NH
JOE BIDEN
-- 9:30 am ET: Coffee with Greene County Democrats in Jefferson, IA.
--12:00 pm ET: Meet and Greet with Guthrie County Democrats in Guthrie Center, IA.
--2:15 pm ET: Lunch with Adair County Democrats in Greenfield, IA.
--4:30 pm ET: Meet with Adams County Democrats in Corning, IA.
--7:00 pm ET: Speaks at the Annual Muscatine County Democrats Fundraiser in Muscatine, IA.
BILL AND BARABARA RICHARDSON
--10:00 am ET: Retirement Community Visit in Exeter, NH.
--1:15 pm: North Hampton Presidential Job Interview with Governor Bill Richardson (Doors Open 12:45 PM).
--4:00 pm ET: Meet and Greet in Salem, NH. (Doors Open 3:30 PM)
--5:00 pm ET: Meet and Greet in Manchester, NH.
DENNIS KUCINICH
--1:00 pm ET: Speaks at the Laguna Woods Democratic Club Breakfast, Laguna Woods, CA
--1:15 pm ET: Attends a meet and greet, Laguna Woods, CA
--3:00 pm ET: Attends a meet and greet, Encinitas, CA
--6:00 pm ET: Attends a meet and greet, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
--9:00 pm ET: Attends a meet and greet, Calabasas, CA
Elsewhere in Washington…
PRESIDENT BUSH
-- 8:20 am ET: Tours Patuxent Research Refuge. Laurel, Md.
-- 8:55 am ET: Makes statement on migratory bird conservation. Patuxent Ressaerch Refuge, Laurel.
--10:20 am ET: Makes statement on efforts to protect striped bass and red drum fish populations at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, St. Michaels, Md.
--12:25 p.m. Lunch with Vice President Cheney at the residence of the Vice President's in St. Michaels, MD.
LAURA BUSH
--8:30 pm ET: Departs Andrews Air Force Base for Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Sunday, Oct. 21
On the campaign trail…
RUDY GIULIANI
--8:00 pm ET: Participates in the FOX News debate, Orlando, FL
MITT ROMNEY
--8:00 pm ET: Participates in the Fox News debate, Orlando, FL
--10:00 pm ET: Attends the Romney for President Post-Debate Rally, Orlando, FL
JOHN MCCAIN
--1:00 pm ET: Attends town hall meeting at Solivita Community Center, Kissimmee, FL
--2:10 pm ET: Media availability, Solivita Community Center Kissimmeee, FL
-- 6:00 pm ET: Appears on Fox News Sunday with Chris Wallace
--8:00 pm ET: Participate in the Fox News debate, Orlando, FL
FRED THOMPSON
-- 8:00 pm ET: Participates in the FOX News debate, Orlando, FL
DUNCAN HUNTER
-- 8:30 pm ET: Participates in the FOX News Debate at the Shingle Creek Resort, Orlando, FL
TOM TANCREDO
-- 8:00 pm ET: Participates in the FOX News Debate at the Shingle Creek Resort, Orlando, FL
MIKE HUCKABEE
--8:00 pm ET: Participates in the FOX News Debate at the Shingle Creek Resort, Orlando, FL
RON PAUL
--3:00 pm – 5:00 pm ET: Participates in a pre-debate reception, Celebration, FL
--8:00 pm ET: Participates in FOX News Debate, Orlando, FL
On the Democratic side…
HILLARY CLINTON
--1:30 pm ET: Hosts a discussion on healthcare at the East Las Vegas Community Center, Las Vegas, NV
--3:00 pm ET: Participates in "Ready to Lead the West" rally at the Springs Preserve, Las Vegas, NV
BILL CLINTON
--6:00 pm ET: Hosts a fundraising reception at the James L. Knight Center, Miami, FL
BARACK OBAMA
--No public schedule
JOHN EDWARDS
--No public schedule
BILL RICHARDSON
--8:30 am ET: Meets with locals at Alicia's Diner, Pelham, NH
--12:00 pm ET: Attends job interview event with wife Barbara, Bedford, NH
--2:00 pm ET: Attends job interview event, Hollis, NH
--4:00 pm ET: Attends job interview event, Rindge, NH
--6:00 pm ET: Attends the Set America Free "Primary Energy: '08 Series" at Keene State College, Keene, NH
BARBARA RICHARDSON
--2:00 pm ET: Attends the Women's Advocacy Reception, Concord, NH
--4:30 pm ET: Attends a meet and greet at the Franco-American Centre, Manchester, NH
CHRIS DODD
-- 8:00 pm ET: Attends the Wartburg College First in the nation Forum, Waverly, IA
JOE BIDEN
-- 5:00 pm ET: Attends a meet and greet with Knoxville County Democrats at the Sprint Car Hall of Fame Museum, Knoxville, IA
--7:30 pm ET: Meets with Lucas County Democrats at the John L. Lewis Memorial Museum of Mining and Labor, Lucas, IA
DENNIS KUCINICH
-- 12:00 pm ET: Attends a rally and fundraiser, Sierra Madre, CA
--12:00 am ET: Attends the Monterey Music Summit at the Monterey County Fairgrounds, Monterey, CA
MIKE GRAVEL
-- No public schedule
Elsewhere in Washington…
VICE PRESIDENT DICK CHENEY
-- 11:30 am ET: Speaks at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy's Weinberg Founders Conference. Landsdowne Conference Center, Lansdowne VA.
Monday, October 22, 2007
On the campaign trail…
JOHN MCCAIN
-- 4:30 pm ET: Meet and Greet at Hillside Country Store & Deli in Pelham, NH.
DUNCAN HUNTER
-- 8:00 am ET: Donuts with Duncan Fundraiser in Orlando, FL.
On the Democratic side…
HILLARY CLINTON
-- 8:15 am ET: Event in Central Valley in Fresno, CA.
BARACK OBAMA
-- 4:00 pm ET: Fundraising event at New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Prudential Hall, Newark, NJ.
JOHN EDWARDS
-- In North Carolina with no public events scheduled.
DENNIS KUCINICH
-- Attends to congressional duties in Washington D.C., no public events scheduled.
JOE BIDEN
--11:00 am ET: Meet and Greet with Decatur County Democrats in Leon, IA.
--2:00 pm ET: Attends Taylor County Women's Democrats Meeting in Bedford, IA.
--6:00 pm ET: Meet and Greet with Page and Fremont County Democrats in Shenandoah, IA.
--7:30 pm ET: House Party with Page County Democrats in Shenandoah, IA.
Elsewhere in Washington…
PRESIDENT BUSH
--11:10 am ET: Meets with the President of Mongolia.
--2:15 pm ET: Presents the Medal of Honor, East Room.
LAURA BUSH
-- 9:35 am (local): Participates in a roundtable with young Arab women leaders, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
-- 11:15 am: Visit to the Pink Majlis and conversation with Breast Cancer Survivors Sheikh Khalifa Medical Center.
-- 11:45 am: Delivers remarks on the US-Middle East Partnership for Breast Cancer Awareness and Research
-- 3:10 pm: Departs Abu Dhabi International Airport for Dubai
-- 3:50 pm: Arrives in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
-- 4:55 pm: Participates in Launch of "Making it Our Business: Breast Cancer Awareness" program at Dubai Chamber of Commerce
POLITICAL NEWS STORIES ON ABCNEWS.COM
ABC News' Teddy Davis: "Brownback Weighs Giuliani Endorsement" LINK
ABC News' Rick Klein and Christine Byun: " Fred Thompson's Quayle-Hunting?" LINK
ABC News' Z. Byron Wolf: Bidding Over $2M for Dems Anti-Rush Letter" LINK
ABC News' Z. Byron Wolf: "'Flower Power Pork' for Woodstock Museum Fails in the Senate" LINK
ABC News' Jake Tapper: "Valued Voters" LINK
ABC News' Susan Donaldson James: "Not in My White House: French-Style Divorce Unthinkable Here" LINK
POLITICAL VIDEO ON ABCNEWS.COM
McCain Touts Unwavering Pro-Life RecordSen. McCain speaks to the Family Research Council about his public record. LINK
Thompson's First 100 DaysFred Thompson says if elected president, he will start his tenure with a prayer. LINK
Clinton and Health CareAn exclusive interview with the former first lady. LINK
The Candidates: Mike Huckabee Extended version of Charles Gibson's talk with the presidential candidate. LINK
The Larry Craig Effect Jake Tapper wades through the Larry Craig scandal and the 2008 election. LINK
Intern for the ABC News Political Unit:The ABC News Political Unit is now seeking three full-time spring interns in Washington, D.C.The internship begins Monday, Dec. 31, and runs through Friday, May 25.
Not only do Political Unit interns attend political events and write for the politics page of ABCNews.com, they also help us by conducting research, maintaining contact lists, and building the next day's political schedule.
In order to apply, you must be either a graduate student or a college student who has completed his or her first year.
You also must be able to work eight hours per day, starting early, Monday through Friday. Interns will be paid $8.50/hour.
If you write well, don't mind getting up early, and have some familiarity with web publishing, send a cover letter and resume to teddy.davis@abc.com as soon as possible, with the subject line: "INTERN" in all caps. Please indicate in your cover letter the dates of your availability.