done

Largo, FL — Facing criticism for pursuing a strategy that essentially bypasses the early primary states in favor of Florida and later states, Rudy Giuliani said Wednesday that he trusts that the Sunshine State will “make it’s own statement”–one he is gambling will be for him.

“I think the people of Florida will make their own decision on who they think will be the best Republican candidate…our states don’t always vote the same,” he said in response to a question about whether he can survive likely losses in the first five primary and caucus states. “I can’t think of a person whose one a contested nomination that’s won every primary. We’ve always had somebody wins one, somebody wins another, then you have a contest. So by the time we get to Florida on January 29, it’s going to be early enough for Florida to make its own statement, and make a very strong decision that will have an impact going forward.”

Giuliani advisers said the campaign remains confident that their risky strategy will pay off–one that heavily depends on a split field of multiple winners coming out of Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina, with Hizzoner picking up the pieces on January 29th. Campaign aides said today that they are pleased to see both Mike Huckabee surging ahead of Mitt Romney in Iowa and John McCain nearly tying Romney in New Hampshire, which they say portends a drawn out fight between the three hopefuls.

It remains to be seen however, if Giuliani can survive multiple primary losses starting in Iowa on January 3 and sell himself as THE viable fourth alternative….