Rudy Giuliani shrugged off his 9%, fourth-place showing in New Hampshire last night, citing his strategy to skimp there and go for the bigger states with later primaries — Florida, New York and California. But the numbers belie that claim, reports ABC News. Giuliani attended 126 pre-primary events in New Hampshire, according to the network's count, well outstripping winner John McCain's 104. Only Mitt Romney, who made it to 176 events, outdid him.
Rudy also attended more events than either Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton. And the former New York mayor outspent both Mike Huckabee and Ron Paul on TV ads in New Hampshire. A Giuliani spokeswoman questioned ABC figures and insisted the candidate has never downplayed his efforts in the state. (More Rudy Giuliani stories.)