Ted Olson Supporting Giuliani

American Spectator ^ | 2/13/07

[zarf]

Theodore Olson, the stalwart conservative lawyer and former solicitor general for the Bush administration, told the Spectator he will be supporting Rudy Giuliani's presidential bid.

"I admire his character, his capacity for leadership, his instincts, and his principles," Olson said over the phone this afternoon. He said he will help Giuliani raise money as well as offer advice on legal issues and domestic policy matters that involve constitutional questions.

[zarf]

Is Ted Olsen now a baby killer? < /s>

[kerryusama04]

Ugggh

[Wormwood]

I wonder when the first principled conservatives will show up and call Ted Olsen and fool and a traitor.

[traderrob6]

Wish he'd have picked Mitt.

[madprof98]

Is Ted Olsen now a baby killer?

No, he just supports one in the election.

[Buck W.]

Not surprising, as Rudy will take the toughest position among all candidates against those who killed Barbara.

[Spiff]

Is Ted Olsen now a baby killer?

Nope. Just a sell out.

[Spiff]

Wish he'd have picked Mitt.

I wish he'd have picked a Republican.

[zarf]

No, he just supports one in the election.

SO what does that make you think of Ted?

Is he evil? A sinner? Is he going to hell or will he be sharing a room with Ted Faggard?

[RebelBanker]

FYI ping...

[DKNY]

This is great for Rudy... Ted Olsen is highly respected.

[Leatherneck_MT]

Sell out

[cripplecreek]

Is Ted Olsen running?

[babaloo]

PING

[M. Thatcher]

Ted Olsen is highly respected.

Not any more...by the anti-Giuliani hysterics.

[pissant]

I heard Bill Bennett and Jonah Goldberg this AM waxing poetic about Rudy. No mention of Hunter. I am going to have to force feed these idiots.

[DKNY]

Rudy ping!

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

Can he teach Rudy that the second amendment is not about hunting?

[Wormwood]

I heard Bill Bennett and Jonah Goldberg this AM waxing poetic about Rudy. No mention of Hunter. I am going to have to force feed these idiots.

Bill Bennett is an idiot?

Best of luck to you, Sancho Panza.

[zarf]

Can he teach Rudy that the second amendment is not about hunting?

The Italian cityboy better learn that fact and quick.

[msnimje]

Aren't these guys old friends from the Reagan Justice Department?

[pissant]

Thanks, worm.

[WalterSkinner]

I heard Bill Bennett and Jonah Goldberg this AM waxing poetic about Rudy

Bill Bennett had a falling out with James Dobson over Colin Powell an election or so ago--Powell didn't run and we still took the White House...

[Jeff Head]

"I admire his character, his capacity for leadership, his instincts, and his principles,"

He is not only pro-abortion, he is pro-partical birth abortion. He is not only pro-gay marriage, he is radically pro-gay marriage.

Ted Olson admires those things...or is he just not aware of them and making an endorsement before checking it out? I seriously doubt he is unaware of them and I judge must therefore be willing to compromise on those fundamental moral issues to get what he views as the other positives the the former mayor may bring to the table.

As for me, anyone who gets it wrong on either of those issues, or on immigration or the 2nd amendment, is not fit to be president in any way shape or form, no matter what other issues they may support.

[Sloth]

He's a baby-killer-supporter.

[basil]

I can't help but wonder if Barbara would support Rudy. I would seriously doubt it.

[RockinRight]

What's become of us?

We've got to stop this, we're getting worse than a bunch of 12 year olds fighting on the playground!

I'm not a big fan of Rudy. At all. But we've got to stop this damn bickering and insulting one another!

On one side you have the "Rudy is Evil" whackjobs that hate anyone who'd even think of voting for him.

On the other side, the Rudy boot-lickers who think he's the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

And they go at each others' throats like kids. Or the Hatfields and McCoys.

Both groups are causing the demise of the GOP and the conservative movement.

STOP IT!!! WE'RE BETTER THAN THAT!

/rant

[Joe Brower]

"I wish he'd have picked a Republican."

Exactly. Ted Olsen appears to be merely another GOP party operative who puts party before principle, and as the current "conventional wisdom" dictates, is happy to throw away the espoused principles of the GOP if that means getting an "R" elected.

Just another reason why I have curtailed my involvement in the Republican party, if not conservative activism per se.

[Williams]

I'm marveling at all the pro Rudy segments on talk radio and tv. It seems Rudy deserves points for being an incredible organizer and for having impressed all these people. I like Rudy for three main reasons: Cleaned up crime in NYC; No Nonsense life risking bravery on 9-11; strong supporter of national defense.

Whether I want Rudy as the nominee is a wait and see. But I am pretty certain all this Rudy adulation is a vote of no confidence in McCain - who is conservative on more issues!

[areafiftyone]

((((PING)))))

[Theo]

Not Rudy again!

I'm sick of All-Rudy-All-The-Time at FR.

We can do better than nominate a RINO for president.

[mkjessup]

Olsen's endorsement is standard boiler plate.

One attorney (former prosecutor) endorsing another.

If Olsen was running, Rudy would endorse him.

Nothing to see here folks, move along.

[Wormwood]

WE'RE BETTER THAN THAT!

Really? What makes you think so?

[TitansAFC]

---"I heard Bill Bennett and Jonah Goldberg this AM waxing poetic about Rudy. No mention of Hunter. I am going to have to force feed these idiots."---

The National Review folks all want to have sex with the man. This is just the type of Republican all of those types like: Fiscal Con who'll go to war without blinking, and who wants all of the Gun and SoCon issues permanently purged from the party, and their voters subjugated forever on intentionally broken promises of "strict constructionists.".

Remember, most of these folks were Harriet Miers defenders who ANGRILY tried to shout down her detractors on the right - like at FR. I will never forget their names, whether it's Michael Medved or anyone else.

Get ready, because if Rudy should win and nominate one of his Pro-Roe, "strict constructionists," we're going to be battling a stubborn President, and the National Review types and Party-hack talk show hosts. and they will shout everybody down again who objects.

The argument will quickly change to "Yes, I guess you can technically be Pro-Roe and still be a 'strict constructionist.'" And we'll hear justification after justification after justification.....

[NeoCaveman]

Ted Olson for SCOTUS!

[pissant]

I'm not a big Bennet fan. His book of virtues is good, but his banter on the radio puts me in a coma.

[PRND21]

Not surprising, as Rudy will take the toughest position among all candidates against those who killed Barbara.

Great point.

[areafiftyone]

Ted Olson knows who will be tough on terror. GREAT NEWS!!

[lilylangtree]

"I admire his character" leaves Olson losing credibility.

[Old_Mil]

Needless to say, I and many others won't be supporting Rudy in either a primary or a general election.

Rudy Guiliani has marched in lockstep with liberals on affirmative action, gay rights, gay marriage, gun control, school prayer, tuition tax credits, liberal immigration policies, and he's reinforced it, time and time again. Just about everytime Rudy opens his mouth, offensive liberal words come pouring out. As Mayor, Rudy put liberals in high-paid city jobs, an indication what a Rudy WH would look like. Here then is Rudy in his own words:

--The New York State Liberal Party on its endorsement of Rudy Giuliani for Mayor: "When the Liberal Party Policy Committee reviewed a list of key social issues of deep concern to progressive New Yorkers, we found that Rudy Giuliani agreed with the Liberal Party's stance on a majority of such issues. He agreed with the Liberal Party's views on affirmative action, gay rights, gun control, school prayer and tuition tax credits. As Mayor, Rudy Giuliani would uphold the Constitutional and legal rights to abortion." N.Y.S. Liberal Party Endorsement Statement of Candidate Giuliani for Mayor of New York City April 8, 1989

--On the Republican Party: "Mr. Rockefeller represented 'a tradition in the Republican Party' I've worked hard to re-kindle - the Rockefeller, Javits, Lefkowitz tradition." Rudy Giuliani told the New York Times July 9, 1992

--Village Voice Interview with Guiliani: He was asked: "What kind of Republican Is [Giuliani]? A Reagan Republican?" Giuliani pauses before answering: "I'm a Republican." Village Voice January 24, 1989

--On Attending 1996 Republican Convention: Rudy expressed his pleasure when he wasn't invited to the Republican National Convention in San Diego. "If I take three or four days off from city business, I want to do it for a substantive purpose. It didn't seem to me any substantive purpose could be served by going to the Republican convention." said Rudy. Rudy! An Investigative Biography of Rudolph Giuliani, Page 459, by Wayne Barrett

--On Barry Goldwater: Giuliani described John Kennedy as "great and brilliant. Barry Goldwater as an "incompetent, confused and sometimes idiotic man." New York Daily News, May 13, 1997

--On President Bill Clinton: Shortly before his last-minute endorsement of Bob Dole in the 1996 presidential election, Giuliani told the Post's Jack Newfield that "most of Clinton's policies are very similar to most of mine." Rudy! An Investigative Biography of Rudolph Giuliani, Wayne Barrett.

--The Daily News quoted Giuliani as saying March 1996: "Whether you talk about President Clinon, Senator Dole.... The country would be in very good hands in the hands of any of that group." An Investigative Biography of Rudolph Giuliani, Wayne Barrett.

--Revealing at one point that he was "open" to the idea of endorsing Clinton, Rudy said: "When I ran for mayor both times, '89 and '93, I promised people that I would be, if not bipartisan, at least open to the possibility of supporting Democrats." Rudy! An Investigative Biography of Rudolph Giuliani, Wayne Barrett, Page 459

---Rudy Giuliani Endorses Democratic Governor Mario Cuomo October 1994: "From my point of view as the mayor of New York City, the question that I have to ask is, ˜Who has the best chance in the next four years of successfully fighting for our interest? Who understands them, and who will make the best case for it?' Our future, our destiny is not a matter of chance. It's a matter of choice. My choice is Mario Cuomo." Rudy Giuliani: Emperor of the City book by Andrew Kirtzman, Page 133

--Reaction to Giuliani Endorsement of Cuomo: "Once again, Rudolph Giuliani has demonstrated that liberalism is the foundation of his political philosophy. While Giuliani sold a bill of goods to trusting Republicans and Reagan Democrats that he had abandoned his roots as a McGovern Democrat, in his endorsement of Mario Cuomo, Mr. Liberal himself, he has shown his true colors. Giuliani's argument that Cuomo will be better for the city has a hollow ring to it. Perhaps Rudy wants a governor who will sign over a blank check to constantly bail out the city from its fiscal problems. Giuliani knows, as do all New Yorkers, that Cuomo's liberal policies have been an economic disaster for our city and state." "But Rudy doesn't care. He has proven he will do anything to stop the election of a conservative Republican - but he won't succeed." Michael Long, Chairman N.Y.S. Conservative Party Press Statement, October 25, 1994

--"[Quite] frankly, you have to understand the fact that Rudy Giuliani was a McGovern Democrat, he was endorsed by the Liberal Party when he ran for Mayor. In his heart, he's a Democrat. He's paraded all over this country with Bill Clinton and, in fact, he's very comfortable with Mario Cuomo. But what Rudy Giuliani wants is to be bailed out in the city, in the mess he's in, and everybody understands very clearly in politics that they struck a deal, that Mario's going to continue to be the big spender, save Rudy the options of raising taxes by pouring money statewide into the City of New York and bailing it out. Quite frankly, I predict that he will join the Democratic Party." Interview with Michael Long, Chairman N.Y.S. Conservative Party, CNN Crossfire, October 25, 1994

--On Gay Domestic-Partner Rights: "National Republicans can lump it if they don't like his new domestic-partners bill, "Mayor Giuliani said yesterday. "I really haven't thought about what the impact is on Republican politics or national politics or Democratic politics," Giuliani said. The bill he submitted to the City Council would extend the benefits city agencies must grant to gay and lesbian couples. "I'm proud of it," Giuliani said of the bill. "I think it puts New York City ahead of other places in the country." New York Daily News, May 13, 1998

--On Gay-Rights/Gay Rights Bill: Giuliani favors extended civil-rights protection for gays and lesbians. Giuliani urged, by letter, to the New York Senate Majority Leader to pass the state's first ever gay rights bill, but did it privately. "I am writing to convey my support for the current legislation to prohibit discrimination against gays and lesbians, and to urge you to allow the bill onto the floor of the Senate for prompt action." ".......It is my belief that we can penalize discrimination [against gays] without creating any potentially objectionable special privileges or preferential treatment." New York Post, June 5, 1993

--Now Rudy Giuliani has jumped on the bandwagon, pressing the state Republican Party to release a gay-rights bill to the Senate floor for a vote. Marching in Sunday's [Gay Pride] parade, he has enlisted in the struggle to destroy the family. What a perfectly abominable springboard to seek high political office. Ray Kerrison New York Post, June 30, 1993

--Giuliani said homosexuality is "good and normal." quoting Ray Kerrison New York Post, July 7, 1989

--On Gay Domestic Partnership: "I have no objection to the concept of domestic partnership," said Rudy Giuliani on Informed Sources New York T.V. Show (PBS), May, 1992

--On Abortion: Leaflets distributed by the Giuliani campaign .... said that he opposes restrictions to Federal Medicaid financing for abortions and opposes the Hyde Amendment, which is intended to deny support for that financing. New York Times, June 18, 1993.

--Rudy Guiliani on abortion: "I'd give my daughter the money for it [an abortion]."

--"I never called for the overturning of Roe vs. Wade." Rudy Giuliani, New York Newsday, September 1, 1989

--As mayor, Rudy Giuliani will uphold a woman's right of choice to have an abortion. Giuliani will fund all city programs which provide abortions to insure that no woman is deprived of her right due to an inability to pay. He will oppose reductions in state funding. He will oppose making abortion illegal. New York Times, August 4, 1989

--On Partial Birth Abortion: Mr. Giuliani has said that New York State law should not be changed to outlaw the procedure. New York Times, January 7, 1998

--On School Choice: "He doesn't support tuition tax credits and vouchers." Sandra Feldman, President of N.Y.C. Teacher's Union, 1993

--On Taxes: [Giuliani] says ruling out a tax increase is "political pandering." Newsday, August 31, 1989

[Dog Gone]

Whether this forum likes it or not, the odds are pretty much in Rudy's favor to get the GOP nomination. It's his to lose.

[Convert]

Recruit John Boehner

[RockinRight]

We're better than DUmmies.

[MEGoody]

I wonder when the first principled conservatives will show up and call Ted Olsen and fool and a traitor.

This principled conservative does wonder exactly where Mr. Olsen stands on social issues. I don't recall ever reading anything about that.

If he is not socially conservative, then it would not surprise me that he is supporting Rudy. If he is, then perhaps he is simply in the dark about who else is running. That can be fixed with education.

[pogo101]

Giuliani is a tricky issue for me. So many pros, so many cons. If he's solid on judge-picking, and vows to keep out of (further liberalizing of) abortion and most if not all gun control, then I may be able to support him. The two biggest issues for me are judge-picking at defense/WOT, although there are of course many more issues.

[Gunder]

GET IT THRU YOUR HEAD ALREADY.

HUNTER DOES NOT HAVE A CHANCE.

[RockinRight]

You're right.

But we don't need to go at each other like children. Not saying YOU have done so, but there's a pretty noticeable group on both sides of the Rudy debate on FR doing just that.

[TitansAFC]

---"Just another reason why I have curtailed my involvement in the Republican party, if not conservative activism per se."---

So far, I have done the same. I'll work against Rudy, but I'm in a state of waiting otherwise.

I need to see if this party really has fallen so far left that they Could nominate a Rudy Giuliani. God help us if they do, because folks like me will give up on them. And don't tell me to elect Congressfolk and Senators after telling me flat out they have nothing to do with my issues.

[DKNY]

Well, from what I have seen here "they" really aren't happy about it!

[pissant]

Get it thru your head, millions more conservatives would sit on the sidelines for a guiliani nominee than for a Hunter. Also get it thru your head that we are a year out from the primaries. Talk to me next year.