Giuliani’s big-state strategy looked through the wrong end of the telescope. The big states are not the states with the most delegates, but the ones that get the most early attention.

This strategy also maximized his weakness. I was never a Giuiliani supporter who argued that he was a compleat Reaganite (there was none in the race, except Thompson, and he only on paper). His strengths outweighed his weaknesses, but his weaknesses were real, and he needed to be seen defending himself in the rough and tumble. He will retire on his eight years as mayor, no small thing.

On to the endgame.