Rudy Giuliani Watch: Competitive in Iowa?

Republican presidential hopeful and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani speaks at a town hall meeting at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007.

Rudy in Iowa: Is he or isn’t he?

Is he or isnâ€™t he?

Thatâ€™s the question on the lips of anxious Iowa Republicans, hoping to figure out whether or not their partyâ€™s national front-runner, Rudy Giuliani, is really competing in the stateâ€™s caucuses.

For skeptics, thereâ€™s plenty of evidence that the answer is no. Giulianiâ€™s entire strategy, as made plain by candidate and campaign alike, is based on performing well in the large states that will hold their primaries after the traditional early contests.

Indeed, the tear-sheet next to the main entrance of the former New York mayorâ€™s Manhattan campaign headquarters counts down the days to Feb. 5, the day of â€œTsunami Tuesday,â€ not Jan. 3, the day Iowa Republicans decreed this week as their caucus date.

[youtube]http://youtube.com/watch?v=2TGSxs8d30I[/youtube]

Rudy Giuliani at Drake University October 17, 2007

Rudy’s strategy?

Flap believes he is contesting Iowa but slow playing the expectations. He may not win the GOP primary where social conservatives run the show but he is also running for the general election when he receives the nomination.

A 50 state strategy is in play here.

Previous:

Rudy Giuliani Watch: Rudyâ€™s Northeast GOP Delegate Advantage

Giuliani CNN Poll Watch: Rudy Up By 8 Points Over Thompson

Texas Governor Rick Perry Endorses Rudy Giuliani for President

Rudy to Hillary – What is Your Experience to be President?

Rudy to Obama – You are NO Ronald Reagan

Giuliani California Poll Watch: Rudy Leads Thompson by 21 Points

The Rudy Giuliani and James Dobson Flap Part Two

Giuliani Poll Watch: Nevada – Rudy Leads Latest Poll

Giuliani Poll Watch: Contending New Hampshire

Giuliani Poll Watch: California Lead Grows for Rudy