I just finished my one on one interview with Rudy Giuliani here in Sanford, Florida. The key parts of the interview are transcribed below. Video will be posted later this afternoon and I will have a full report on The 700 Club Tuesday morning live from Orlando, Fla.
Two interesting points from the interview: he told me he's using the "Iowa nice" Huckabee strategy here in Florida to stay above the McCain/Romney fight. And he simply WOULD NOT attack John McCain.
I asked him about how Romney had called some of McCain sponsored legislation liberal, but he wouldn't join in. He's banking on early voting going his way and believes that will make a huge difference Tuesday night.
By the way, I am now on my way to interview John McCain one on one in Orlando. Watch for that later today too. Busy day. I wouldn't have it any other way.
On McCain taking votes from Giuliani:
Watch the video here.
David Brody: Tell me a little bit about John McCain. Is he taking some moderates away from you? Is that a concern?
Rudy Giuliani: It's a close race. I think everyone's taking votes away from everyone else. I wouldn't say it just that way. I think it's going to be a very close race. It's going to be a very close vote and I think we're going to come out on ahead.
His message to the people of Florida:
My message to the people of Florida is one that I'm the only candidate who really turned around an economy in crisis. I mean I've actually done what the people in Florida want to see done and want to see done by a President.
On staying out of the McCain/Romney fight:
Watch the video here.
Giuliani: We're trying to stay on a very positive message rather than some of the negative campaigning that's gone back and forth between some of the other candidates.
Brody: You've hit McCain a little bit on taxes, but beyond that, Mitt Romney has pretty much gone after him on a lot of stuff. Why has their been a decision for you to stay above the fray so much?
Giuliani: Because we think that's the opportunity. We think that's how Mike Huckabee won in Iowa and we think the two candidates, John and Mitt, are really attacking each other now pretty relentlessly, very strongly. We think people of Florida want to hear a positive message.
Why Giuliani thinks he's bettered prepared to be President:
Watch the video here.
I've led during difficult times, had the safety and responsibility of other people on my shoulders and I think that people should vote for me because I would be best at those things. The other candidates are good men and they've done good things.
I think that I'm better prepared because of the things that I've done to be President and that's how I'm going to the voters of Florida. I also believe that my campaign is more relevant to the people of Florida. I'm the only candidate supporting a national catastrophe fund which will make insurance affordable for people who are now really suffering because a lot of them can't afford insurance any longer.
On the poll numbers showing him in 3rd place:
Watch the video here.
Brody: You've spent about a month here in Florida or so and yet the polls, and I know early voting is part of this and hasn't been factored in yet, but the polls are suggesting obviously you're down a little bit. Why do you think that is or you don't believe these polls at all?
Giuliani: We're going to prove it in the election booth. I mean polls are polls. I mean who knows about polls. The polls had Barack Obama winning in New Hampshire and Hillary Clinton won.
Gosh, we're doing very well here in Florida. I think our message is getting through and it's a positive message and it's a clear one and it's one about leadership.
Brody: Why do you think McCain is making some inroads in New Jersey and New York?
Giuliani: I think that's all a function of the early primaries, you know who has won this primary who has won that primary. I win here we'll be I think in very very good shape in a lot of those states, probably win most of those.