Posted on 11/14/2006 4:12:37 PM PST by Sub-Driver
DNC Statement on Giuliani's Potential Presidential Bid
November 14, 2006
The Democratic National Committee issued the following statement in response to news that former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani may seek the GOP nomination for President:
"It's unclear whether or not Rudy Giuliani will be able to just 'explain away' the fact that he's consistently taken positions that are completely opposite to the conservative Republican base on issues they hold near and dear," said Democratic National Committee Communications Director Karen Finney. "Throughout his career Giuliani has tried to paint himself as a moderate, but now that he's vying for his Party's nomination will he undergo an extreme makeover in an attempt to cozy up to the far-right?"
Giuliani Was A Registered Democrat For Much Of His Life. Giuliani registered as a Democrat and even served as a party committeeman on Long Island when he was 21. [U.S. News & World Report, 3/23/87; USA Today, 12/20/99]
Giuliani Is Pro-Choice. When asked to respond to social issues on CNN's Inside Politics, Giuliani replied, "I'm pro-choice." [CNN, 12/2/99]
Giuliani Doesn't Support A Ban On Partial-Birth Abortions. When asked whether he supported a ban on what critics call partial-birth abortions, Giuliani replied, "No, I have not supported that, and I don't see my position on that changing." Giuliani also told The Albany Times Union that he would not support a ban on late-term. Moreover, when asked "If you were in the Senate and he [President Clinton] vetoed the so-called partial-birth abortion procedure.you would support the president on that." Giuliani replied: "Yes. I said I then that I support him, so I have no reason to change my mind about it." [CNN, 12/2/99; New York Times, 11/26/99; CNN Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer, 2/6/00]
Giuliani Identified Himself As Pro-Gay Rights and Supports Civil Unions and Gay Benefits. When asked to respond to social issues on CNN's Inside Politics, Giuliani replied, "I'm pro-choice. I'm pro-gay rights." When asked whether marriage should be between a man and a woman, Giuliani agreed, but stated "I supported civil unions, however, partnerships, and I signed that legislation when I was mayor of New York City. The distinction is that you protect people's rights."[CNN, 12/2/99; Hardball, 10/13/04]
Giuliani Opposed Bush Tax Cut. "Although Mr. Giuliani is running as pro-gun control, pro-abortion-rights Republican who likes tax cuts, he did shy away yesterday from the large tax cut proposal of his political benefactor, George W. Bush, which has been criticized as too large and favorable toward the rich." [New York Times, 2/04/00]
Giuliani Announced a Publicly Funded Voucher Plan That Would Have Taken $12 Million Out of New York City Public Schools. In his State of the City address in January 1999, Giuliani proposed paying for a school voucher program with City money. In his FY2000 Preliminary Executive Budget, Giuliani proposed spending $12 million over two years to establish the administrative structure for a voucher program in a volunteer school district so as many as 3,000 public school students could attend private and parochial schools in the city. "The money would be distributed through [Giuliani's] office to avoid involving Schools Chancellor Rudy Crew, who opposes the idea," according to The New York Times. At a speech in Miami in March, 1999, The New York Times reported that, "Mr. Giuliani, who is in the midst of considering his political future, has adopted the national Republican Party's enthusiasm for school vouchers. On Sunday, while delivering a speech in Miami, for example, he called it "the most important thing that has to be done with education in America." [New York Times, 4/26/99; 3/4/99]
Giuliani Refused To Endorse Minimum Wage Increase. Giuliani declined to endorse an increase in the minimum wage to $6.50 from $5.50, pending studies that he said were necessary to make certain that a higher rate would not lead to the elimination of many low-paying jobs. [New York Times, 10/17/99]
Giuliani Said It Would Be a "Good Thing" If the Poor Left the City; Said That Was His Welfare Strategy. In April 1995, Rudy Giuliani said that many poor New Yorkers could be forced to leave New York City as a consequence of his welfare reforms, and that it "would be a good thing." WNYC radio then reported that Giuliani said in a press briefing, "That's not an unspoken part of the strategy. That is our strategy." The mayor denied these comments and offered to play them back, but his communications director had not taped the session. [Newsday, 4/29/95]
Source URL: http://www.democrats.org/a/2006/11/dnc_statement_o_9.php
It seems odd that the DNC feel the need to comment on a republican mentioning that he's just thinking or exploring the possibility to run for president. Clearly the dems are a little worried about him.
They are VERY scared of him. I don't remember such statements in the past.
Yep. The 'rats are afraid of Rudy. Why else issue this press release. Meanwhile, look for the MSM to foist McCain on us. They know they can blow him up when they need to...
So was Ronald Reagan.
Wow! Ive never seen the Rats tell the truth before.
Any statements about McLame?
Yup, this is VERY telling.
That's because Rudy will cut deeply into Hilary's votes. He would probably be able to carry California and/or New York. Of course, they are scared of him. Unfortunately I am too, but for different reasons....
Darn right the Dems are afraid of Guiliani. Rudy is the only person who can beat Hillary, and they know it. He can be a Street Fighter if he needs to be, and I don't believe he will make execptions for Hillary just because she's a woman. He will carry NY, the East coast, the West coast and a lot of other States. He will definitely draw the votes of men who hate Hillary. He will draw the Independents. The reason you see the Media pumping up McCain is because they know they can beat him to death when the time comes for them to support Hillary. Should be a great fight!
This is probably one of their new strategies. I suggest when her majesty announces her exploratory committee, some of us FReepers help the RNC write the response.
Sure seems that way.
My goodness, are they ever. I wonder how we "crazy right wingers" might show some support. I would love a debate and good race between every viable candidate we can put in the field. The only one I personally don't want is McCain, but that is personal to me.
I hope Rudy wipes the floor with with McCain in the debates. Yummy!!!!
Isn't Ken Melmahn going to be Rudy's campaign mngr.????
Not sure that's so smart....
Also, can't wait to see Obama knock Hitlery around.!!!
LET'S GET READY TO RUMBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So was I. Saw the light.
The approach of the media with McCain would be to build him up as the best possible choice for Republicans until he is assured of the nomination. At that point they would start tearing him down for his conservative voting record while building up "The Smartest Woman in the World".
Looks like the Dems are scared sh!tless of Giuliani.
There you go. Great attitude. Let's see what's out there and who might defend this country first. The other issues matter too, but I don't want to be having an argument over a smoking NY or DC.
The DNC has started campaigning against Rudy already.
He is one of the only Republicans who cannot beat Hillary. We have consistently won election after election for the past 12 years on a socially conservative agenda. I agree that he is a great leader and in a 2 party race Rudy could beat her 60% to 40% but I can assure you that if the GOP nominates Rudy there will be MILLIONS of social conservatives who will find a 3rd party candidate to vote for. I repeat what I said before and I feel like Cassandra because I can see this one as clear as day "Rudy is one of the only Republican who cannot beat Hillary."
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