Posted on 02/06/2007 2:09:57 PM PST by Uncledave
Rudy Giuliani vs. the Greens John Berlau | 2/6/2007 @ 2:44 pm [Contact John Berlau]
Former New York mayor Rudolph Giuliani has all but declared himself a Republican presidential candidate by filing an official “statement of candidacy” and saying he is “in to win.” In my new book, Eco-Freaks: Environmentalism Is Hazardous to Your Health, I reveal a surprising fact about Giuliani that so far has been little discussed in national coverage: Giuliani’s record as New York mayor of standing up to green groups to take steps to promote prosperity and public health. In Eco-Freaks, I detail Giuliani’s tough fight to spray pesticides to curb the spread of the newly-arrived West Nile virus in 1999.
In a section of Eco-Freaks entitled “Rudy Stands Up to the Greens,” I write of Giuliani’s actions when the virus first appeared in the U.S. in 1999 and was diagnosed in New York City as West Nile. Giuliani “ordered aggressive, but targeted spraying of pesticides in spots that mosquitoes were most likely to congregate. But environmentalists fought him all the way. They downplayed the very real risk of West Nile — to humans and animals — while hyping the risks of peticides.” Even after being threatened with lawsuits, Giuliani persisted.
Giuliani’s courageous actions may have prevented West Nile — although still a serious virus that is made worse by continuing enviro campaigns against mosquito spraying — from becoming a rapid bird-flu like pandemic in the U.S. after it first arrived in New York City. As I write in Eco-Freaks, although he didn’t receive the glory for these actions as he did for those in 2001, “Giuliani displayed [in the West Nile crisis] the courageous leadership the nation would again observe in the days after the 9/11 attacks.”
Giuliani has also made statements in support of nuclear energy and Arctic oil drilling. In the past, Giuliani has not been afraid to be seen as “environmentally incorrect” if he belives the policies he advocates are correct for the nation. If he continues this straight talk during the campaign, Americans may be attracted to another courageous side of Giuliani.
#1 Support our troops
#2 Homeland Security
#3 Prevent a democrat from becoming president
I would say if he plans to run as a Republican, he perhaps should start outlining his take on "hot button issues" and how he has dealt with them in words or deeds in the past.
Ditto. 100%.
National security comes first. Period.
So that probably moves my keep a democrat from becoming president to #1.
Im sorry but that looks like a photo op, not a candid shot.
I will say it looks a whole lot better than John and Theresas kiss, which wasnt just EWW, but creepy;)
If we're all blown up by Ahmadinijad or by domestic suicide bombers, we won't be able to discuss the fine points of the 2nd Amendment or Roe V Wade, as I see it.
Rudy took some very unpopular positions, as mayor of NYC, without the loving support of Congressional Republicans or the grassroots pacs.
Rudy was fighting terrorism when it was still only "a nuisance." That counts for a lot with me.
I pray to God he's becoming 'nuanced' in an effort to put the mainstream Republicans and Conservatives at ease over his views, not pulling the wool over our eyes. Only time will tell.
Agreed!
Standing up to 'greens' is way down the list!
It's a good photo. He loves his wife, that's nice...we admire that quality in Pres. Bush with Laura, and we enjoyed seeing the very overt devotion between Ronald and Nancy (who also had been previously married). This shows "a softer side" to Rudy, who often seems hard-edged.
Agree
According to the article in the NY Post she is 52... I will admit she looks a lot younger in that photo than in most I have seen.
http://www.nypost.com/seven/02062007/news/nationalnews/runnin_mates_judi_n_rudy_aim_for_08_nationalnews_stephanie_gaskell_and_kate_sheehy.htm
I don't think true Conservatives and the Religious Right everyday voters are going to be so forgiving of a thrice married, pro-abortion, gun-grabbing man as President.
As I said, I'm undecided and am hoping and holding out for more in my GOP candidate than someone that puts (R) behind their name. But that's just me. :)
The Post puts whatever they want on the cover. I don't think he pushed this picture on them.
2nd, his wife isn't exactly much younger than he is. She's 52, he's 62. So they're about 10 years apart. Most guys tend to be a bit older than their wives so 10 years isn't exactly a huge difference. FWIW, Nancy was 10 years younger than Ron, or the same difference between Rudy and his wife. Is there really a huge difference between a 2nd wife who's 10 years younger and a 3rd wife who's 10 years younger?
Also, I don't know too much about the 1st marriage. Apparently they discovered that they were actually 1st cousins after the marriage and had it annulled so I don't know if it would count as failed. The 2nd one, yes.
I think, to a certain extent, him being from NYC is just going to ratchet this up 1000% and there's going to be way more press coverage on things like this than for a guy from a smaller market with less of a profile.
The thing is, the Post is generally pro GOP and pro conservative, so it's not like they did this to get him or anything. They had to think it would help.
That's a good point you bring up about how the President has to dela with so many issues. As mayor or Governor or even Senator, it's almost impossible for one guy to become an expert on everything. It'll be interesting to see how he handles the transition from dealing with mostly local issues to more broad, national ones.
Reagan handled this by focusing on a few key issues above everything. Lower taxes, less Govt, and a strong defense/anti communist policy. I think if Rudy took a similar stance and really focused on lower taxes, less spending, and good judges at home, and a strong defense and tough on jihad policy abroad, he'd do well. I think he'll get in trouble if he tries to be too much of a wonk on the issues. Only Newt can really pull that off.
she's 10 years younger than he is. the same difference between Ron and Nancy. Did anyone harp on Reagan having a much younger 2nd wife?
I agree, that photo may have been touched up. She looks much younger than 52 there.
"They had to think it would help."
I guess we'll see in the end. :)
sounds good
I agree, that photo may have been touched up. She looks much younger than 52 there.
Not in my recollection they didn't.
Touched up photo or not, I think it is sweet.
That was a kiss?
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