So far, the two main reasons given for Giuliani’s recent slide in national polls have been the Judith security detail stories and the military success of the of the surge in Iraq, which may have made national secuirty less pressing in voters’ minds. But in writing my previous post on Hillary Clinton, I wonder if Giuliani’s slippage is in some way related to the fact that Clinton herself is no longer inevitable. One of the things that has helped Giuliani maintain his national lead all along is the perception that he would be the best Republican to prevent the ultimate nightmare scenario of another Clinton presidency. Maybe now that Clinton looks more beatable, coservative voters no longer feel they have to make sacrifices on the social issues by nominating Rudy as the Hillary Slayer.
UPDATE: I see the Politico has explored this.
