After the GOP debate held at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, former New York Mayor and Presidential Candidate Rudy Giuliani addressed a standing room only gathering at Paul’s Italian Villa in Simi Valley, California.

Here are some photos from earlier in the evening:

The Mayor arrived at the restaurant around 75 minutes after the debate. This rally and speech was the ONLY GOP candidate event in Ventura County. It was hosted by Mayor Kurt Pringle, the Mayor of Anaheim, California.

Flap estimates over 500 folks of all ages and ethnicities were crowded into the ballroom.

The speech:

Part Two:

Heard among the crowd:

Phil Cummings – “I do not think the debate reflected the realities of Republican Presidential Primaries.  Chris Matthews should not have been there.”

Colette Wheeler – “I think the Mayor is great and I really appreciate his honesty. He says exactly how he feels.  I feel a connection towards him and feel he is the best candidate for us.  He has a very impressive resume and I like his honesty.”

John Hrabe (Michelle Steel’s Communication Director) – ” It is time we need a strong leader and he has showed us this in New York.  He has a conservative fiscal philosophy and has cut taxes.  The format of the debate was terrible.  This is an amazing turnout in Simi Valley tonight and I have heard of no other candidate that has this much grass roots support.”

Heard around Ventura County:

At a rehearsal Wednesday for the first GOP presidential candidate debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum, Simi Valley Councilman Glenn Becerra stood in for Sen. John McCain.

After watching the debate in the Air Force One hangar on Thursday, Becerra threw his support behind former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani.

“Rudy was the clear winner,” Becerra said after the debate. “He was presidential and he was calm. When he delivered his answers he was calm and without waiver.”

And…….

Moorpark City Councilman Keith Millhouse said that at times it seemed like the candidates were jockeying to give answers to questions.

“It was like grade school,” Millhouse said. “Everybody wanted to talk.”

Millhouse said he wished candidates were able to be give more in-depth answers. He said he was disappointed when the candidates answered no when asked if the U.S. Constitution should be changed to allow immigrants to run for president. He believes California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has done a good job and denying him or other immigrants the opportunity to run for president reflects poorly on the party.

“I don’t know if anyone distinguished themselves,” Millhouse said. “I haven’t picked anybody. I guess Rudy Giuliani did a good job of allowing himself to be different.”

The transcript of the debate is here.

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Giuliani Notes: Rudy Clear GOP Debate Winner in Survey USA Poll

The Rudy Giuliani Files

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Republican presidential hopeful Rudy Giuliani, former New York City mayor, answers a question during the first Republican presidential primary debate of the 2008 election at the Ronald Reagan Library, Thursday, May 3, 2007, in Simi Valley, Calif.

Survey USA: Who Won CA Republican Presidential Debate?

Former NYC Mayor Rudolph Giuliani convincingly won tonight’s California debate among Republican candidates for President of the United States, according to a SurveyUSA poll of 317 state of California debate watchers. Giuliani was picked as the winner by 30% of those in CA who watched.

Former MA Governor Mitt Romney, who was picked as the winner by 12%, and AZ Senator John McCain, who was picked as the winner by 11%, tied for 2nd place, far back from Giuliani.

All other candidates were in single digits.

Who Has The Best Plan for Iraq? McCain did much better when CA debate watchers were asked specifically about which Republican has the best plan for Iraq. 20% of CA debate watchers say McCain has the best plan for Iraq, which was only slightly behind Giuliani, who was picked by 25% as having the best Iraq plan.

Who Has The Best Solution for Immigration? Giuliani was seen as having the best solution for immigration reform by 31% of CA viewers. No one else was close.

Exactly Who in CA Watched? 51% of debate viewers were white. 28% of debate viewers were Hispanic. 15% of debate viewers were Asian. 45% of debate viewers were Republican. 30% of debate viewers were Democrats. 22% of debate viewers were Independent. 43% of debate viewers were Pro-Life. 53% of debate viewers were Pro-Choice.

Let’s look at the numbers:

The GOP NUTS – Who won the Debate?

Rudy – 30%

Romney – 12%

McCain – 11%

Let’s look at the Iraq question:

And the Immigration question:

Remember Flap’s Study guide on issues:

And Rudy wins on two of the top issues.

With last night’s debate, no matter how you spin it, Rudy is RIGHT on the issues and RIGHT for America.

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The Rudy Giuliani Files

Technorati Tags: Rudy Giuliani