Do Hurricanes Give Giuliani an Edge in Florida?

One of the political predictions I've heard goes like this: since Florida is frequently hit by hurricanes, competency at emergency preparedness is more of a salient consideration for Floridians, and that gives Rudy Giuliani an edge in the primary. What do readers think?

Assuming emergency preparedness is a salient issue for GOP primary voters, it would be a classic example of priming in campaign effects: the more salient an issue for the public, the more likely the issue becomes the chief criteria by which voters evaluate candidates. To see how this works, read this article at the Washington Post on priming 9/11.

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Well, I'm not a Republican primary voter, but I am a poll worker in a very heavily Republican part of Florida and a part where we've had serious hurricane damage (the Florida panhandle and a county with extensive Gulf front exposure) and I've never seen in the local papers, or heard from chatter of locals or whatever, that they associate their presidential primary vote with a consideration of emergency management.

We're also heavily religious here, so I'm thinking Huckabee will do well in our county, but then there is a large Ron Paul presence here which does not surprise me as our county went for Perot when he ran.

Yes, we're very odd down here.

As a GOP primary voter in Florida, albeit one who has voted Dem since Ronny ran because I don't trust the corporations or religious right, I have no plans to vote for any Republican running this year. The GOP was, at one time, a party that supported workers, honesty, small scale retail politics, staying out of military adventures and the little guy. It hasn't been that way for a long time.

I keep prepared for the many disasters that visit Florida regularly. I have a months supply of spare food, water, medical supplies, tools, tarps, lumber and plastic on hand.

Of the GOP candidates Guiliani would be the last to get my vote. He is behind the GOP nut-job Paul. At least Paul's offering something new. McCain would be the first but his support of aggressive military adventures and carrying water for this incompetent bunch of boobs they call an administration has soured his reputation in my book. They campaigned by saying government didn't work and have gone out of their way to prove themselves right and make sure it doesn't. What ever happened to Republicans being the party of effectiveness, competence and responsibility?

Looks like once again I will have to hold my nose, pick the least obnoxious Dem and vote for them. How did it come to the best Republican running is a Democrat? That is why I'm a registered Republican but voted for BC twice.

I think it could give him an edge, and since his goal is to win his spin masters are probably going to take full advantage of it, Stretching the concept until it,( or the voters), squeal for mercy! LOL!
Dave Briggs :~)