Rudy Giuliani moved one step closer to a "formal" run at the 2008 Republican nomination for president. This puts him on the same level, paperwork-wise, as McCain and Romney.
When Giuliani first filed papers in November to create an exploratory committee, he made sure to note that he was not full swing into the race. The provision that he was "testing the waters" allowed him to move forward without any commitment to seek a top spot on the ticket or the need to identify donors.
The step Monday puts Giuliani on the same level legally as Arizona Sen. John McCain and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, both who have filed statements of candidacy and are running near Giuliani at the top of opinion polls on Republican preferences for the nominee.
In the most recent FOX News poll, 34 percent of registered voters surveyed said they would vote for Giuliani in the 2008 GOP primary compared to 22 percent for McCain and 3 percent for Romney. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich won 15 percent of that vote. With 65 percent, Giuliani also was at the top of the list of candidates who voters said they would be at least somewhat comfortable with as president.
Giuliani's cautious and noncommittal attitude has caused some critics to question whether he would abandon his bid even before formally entering the race. Fighting back in recent weeks, Giuliani has started to sound and act like a strong contender, traveling to the early primary states of New Hampshire and South Carolina, and arguing that his vision for the future and performance in the past would make him a formidable GOP nominee.
I had a chance to talk with my son yesterday. He likes Giuliani a lot for 2008. But both the Republicans and Democrats will have a grueling campaign season ahead of them. And lord, it does go on forever these days, doesn't it?
