Rudy Takes Message to Talk Radio

Continuing his courtship of conservatives, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani is running radio ads on the popular talk radio shows hosted by Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity.

"My campaign is about leadership and optimism," Giuliani says in the ad. "We need strong leadership to stay on offense in the war against terrorists." (Listen to the ad here.)

He also highlights his support for "supply side policies and reduced government spending" to "keep the economy growing."

The commercial ends with a plug for his campaign site -- joinrudy2008.com.

During the 1990s talk radio became the voice of the conservative movement, and figures like Hannity and Limbaugh remain quite powerful in certain circles. With hours of airtime every day, Hannity and Limbaugh have a huge megaphone for offering their thoughts on the potential 2008 Republican nominees. If Giuliani can get on their good sides, he may ensure himself hours of free publicity to an attentive audience that makes up a big chunk of the Republican base.

Don't think that's part of Giuliani's calculation? Remember that he announced his candidacy on Hannity's television show.

Recent polling has shown Giuliani widening his lead over Sen. John McCain (Ariz.) in hypothetical Republican primary match-ups. That growth led us to move Giuliani into the No. 1 spot on last week's Presidential Line.

By Chris Cillizza  |  March 26, 2007; 11:43 AM ET
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