One audience member who asked to remain anonymous told me that everyone assumed it was a joke at first, and then realized it wasn't. Adding to the sense of Giuliani's disconnect from reality, she said, was his inattention to his audience. Many in attendance were from oil companies, including one who had flown Giuliani on his private jet, yet the candidate made no comments about energy concerns.
"It was as if he had no clue who his audience was," she said.
Giuliani's phone obsession, which has not been limited to these two instances, is simply weird and can't be explained rationally. What woman calls her husband when he's in the middle of a speech? No One Does This. It's rude. It's silly. It is completely ridiculous.
Giuliani's explanation is that ever since 9/11, he and his wife always exchange endearments when one of them gets on a plane. Just in case. That's nice. Can they not say, "I love you?" before the speech? That usually works well enough for most people.
If Americans are growing weary of the cell phone shtick, they are likely feeling played by the 9/11 connection. We all marveled at Giuliani's energy and strength as he helped guide New York after the terrorist attacks, but perhaps there is a limit to the memory's application.
There are two other possible explanations for Giuliani's behavior. Either this cellular love fest is a stunt, which reveals a remarkable lack of judgment. Or he is a narcissist, who, blinded by his own reflection, has no feel for what others require.
Neither assessment bodes well for a man who wants to be president.