Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani In New Hampshire Today
NEW YORK (WCBS 880) - There is a hint that former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani is testing the presidential waters for 2012.
The man once known as "America's Mayor" is visiting New Hampshire Thursday.
The Republican field is unsettled and Giuliani still has strong name recognition. Plus, New Hampshire is a northeast state with an independent streak. In theory, that plays to Giuliani's strengths.
So, Dartmouth University government professor Linda Fowler suspects he wants to make an assessment.
"It looks like kind of, 'Well, I might as well find out' kind of moment," Fowler tells WCBS 880 reporter Peter Haskell.
Although running as a 9/11 leader might not be enough.
"His public image as the heroic figure that he was right after 9/11 hasn't got much shelf life at this point," she says.
WCBS 880's Peter Haskell With Linda Fowler
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In addition, Fowler points out that the Republican base is changing. It's now more rural and and more white and that does not bode well for him.
"The fact that he ran a very complicated multi-ethnic city doesn't necessarily help him with voters like that," she says.
Giuliani did not do well in New Hampshire in 2008.
There are several declared Republican Presidential candidates, including former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, former Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty, businessman Herman Cain, former New Mexico governor Gary Johnson, and Rep. Ron Paul.
Former Alaska governor and 2008 vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin is touring the country on a big bus right now, but hasn't said she is running.
