Posted on 03/02/2007 11:57:07 AM PST by meg88
Rudy Giuliani is going before a big meeting of conservatives this weekend with a remarkable lead in the GOP race; according to a Washington Post poll, he's ahead of Sen. John McCain 44-21.
That raises a question: How could a pro-choice, pro-gay rights, pro-gun control ex-mayor from New York be doing so well with Republicans?
The short answer is "September 11," but for reasons that go beyond the obvious, which is the sense that Giuliani rallied a stricken city, spoke in bold language about defeating the new enemy and actually was at risk in those moments.
But 9/11 did something else -- it elevated Giuliani far above the level of big-city mayor.
He was the official who "stood up to al Qaeda" and became a major American figure in the global battle against the enemy who'd so savagely attacked the United States. That made him much more than a big city mayor.
Moreover, the attacks radically changed the picture of New York -- the biggest Democratic city in the nation, and one not usually admired by core Republicans.
Two things have changed about New York. First, 9/11 made New York much more "American."
That's where the enemy attacked; that's where the president and the mayor stood with firefighters and American flag to promise payback.
The second factor -- and this is an argument Giuliani hasn't made much, but I'm guessing he will -- is that New York was where a Republican mayor, using conservative ideas on crime, taxes and welfare, turned around the city that was ground zero of modern liberalism.
For whatever reason, New York is much safer, cleaner, healthier city than it was a decade and a half ago, and Giuliani is likely to say, "I don't just talk about ideas like senators. I made them work."
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
A choice of rotten apples.
"How could a pro-choice, pro-gay rights, pro-gun control ex-mayor from New York be doing so well with Republicans?"
1. Name recognition
2. The other candidates haven't really started exposing him in any debates or ads.
The first real lunge at rudy by another candidate was just made yesterday by romney.
((((RUDY PING))))
Ping
I think it comes down to ,who do you tust to fight radical Islam with more conviction.
always beware when the mdeia picks the republican nominee
they know a dem beats Rudy cause many will sit on their hands and not vote for a liberal like Rudy.
His singleminded determination to do the right thing despite the vicious attacks made the city a showcase for the world.
After 9/11 he again showed the world what leadership is all about.
Rudy needs much more than 9-11.
Mash here @ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVBtPIrEleM
While not quite in the Schwarzeneggerian "bulletproof" category, Rudy is still viewed as an American hero, a real leader, and above the usual fray of DC by a decisive majority of Americans.
So far he has been hitting the right notes. If he runs a smart campaign, and assuming that no one comes up with video of him with an underage boy, he should win the nomination, and the Presidency.
Those who 'don't get' why most conservatives are/will be for Rudy discount the above analysis and have apparently forgotten that we are at war, and that a 30-year sworn enemy of the US is close to getting a Nuclear bomb.
THAT is why "Its Rudy in 2008"!
Until the Dems remind the American people that Rudy wished to take 9-11 relief monies and place them at one of his companies so he could hoover 2 mil in administrative funds. That will take away all of Rudy's 9-11 goodwill, just as the Red Cross took a major hit for misuing 9-11 donations.
And then again, maybe not.
9/11 is the only answer he has!
We're all waiting for how Halliburton will figure into your corruption theory.
If Rudy gets the nod, it would be a definite finger in the eye of Al Kada...a sign the American pimples haven't lost the fight after 9/11.
But how can someone lead us against islamofacists if that person doesn't lead us against abortion and gay rights? < / sarc>
Seriously, I think too many people are looking for a culture war leader (for either the right or the left) who would cause greater division in this country than a true leader that would work for solutions to problems the country as a whole faces. That's why I'm in favor of Rudy over Hunter.
I believe there is a lot more to being a president than what one did on 9/11.
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