NOT AGAIN, RUDY (serial ditherer doesn't want to be a 3-time loser?)

NY POST ^ | 8/1/09 | EDITORIAL

[Liz]

Rudy continues to play coy about challenging Gov. Paterson. So what's keeping him from making up his mind? "NY is in pretty bad shape. If I thought I could make a real difference," he told a Crain's NY breakfast, "I would do it." Two terms as mayor and more than three decades in the public eye, and he still doesn't know whether he can make a difference? The election is 15 months away. But Giuliani other candidates biding their time waiting for Rudy to make up his mind would need every bit of that time to run an effective race..... Sort of like 2000, when Rudy's dithering left Rick Lazio pulverized by Hillary. Giuliani forgets the lesson of his ill-fated 2008 presidential run (longshot though it was).........he owes it to the voters, not to mention his party, to make a decision now: Either take the plunge -- or take a pass...............

[Albion Wilde]

OMG - it’s only politics. when I read the headline, I thought he was getting divorced again.

[Reagan Man]

The notion that there is a difference between a liberal Democrat and a liberal Republican, is a fallacy.

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

Just what we need - another Republican who can’t keep his pants zipped...

[Liz]

Watching Giuliani navigate politics is like watching a horror film festival.....he's got more sequels than Bela Lugosi. Drive a stake into his presidential aspirations and he rises from the dead, and climbs out of his coffin to wreak havoc on our political process. Giuliani spent $64M and got one delegate (that he shared).

Rooty's got the resilience of Count Dracula and the resume of a calculating conman. He porked his mistress on the taxpayers' dime then hid the theft in obscure city agencies.

His secrecy about his multiple global businesses also served to sink his candidacy.

Even more alarming, Giuliani is the lapdog of the Endless War Hopefuls---those evil pukeneos------ w/ multiple trillion-dollar US war budgets dancing in their fool heads. The Kristol/Podhoretz Crime Family should be deported NOW. They are sucking up to Obama as we type----since the Jan 2008 power shift.

The neotermites scatter to wherever the Beltway winds are blowing. The neocon traffic under Obama's desk is getting fierce---OTOH, Obama's sex life is improving (/snic).

Keep in mind----Obama's closest advisors-----COS Rahm Emanuel, David Axelrod, Dennis Ross, Joe Biden, and Hillary Clinton----reflect an ironclad, single issue neocon orientation (even though none of these individuals are actually card-carrying neocons).

Rudy's only hope.

" P-l-e-a-s-e make me sound conservative."

"My stupid 2008 advisors told me I didn't need those redneck gun nuts and
those dumb pro-life Christian conservatives to make a primary showing."

" They're killing me on FR just b/c I dumped my wife for my mistress, don't talk
to my kids, was honored by NARAL, donated to Planned Parenthood, marched
for gay rights under the NAMBLA banner, appointed gays and pedophiles
to top city jobs, and provided a sanctuary city for illegals."

[kabar]

I will take Rudy over any Dem anytime. The state is going down the toliet. Rudy can make a difference. I say that as someone who grew up in NY.

[Jim Noble]

Rudy would be President today had he been the nominee - and if you think that wouldn't be better, you need a checkup.

Just sayin'.

[KoRn]

Rudy should take one of the NY Senate seats. It would be nice if he would take out Schumer. Sure Rudy would be another RINO type in the Senate, but he would be 1,000x better than Chuck-U.

[Liz]

OMG - it’s only politics. when I read the headline, I thought he was getting divorced again.

ROTFL---good one.

Course, once Rudy FINALLY figures out his current wife greatly ditched his presidential chances....divorce is a distinct possibility.

[Vaquero]

he is a RINO....pure and simple.
he fails with RTL issues and gun control.

but if you want someone who is tough on crime and security from terrorism, you really cant beat Rudy and he is about as conservative as you can get for Governor of NY. he is also pretty much of a fiscal conservative.

you wont get those from Patterson.

[stephenjohnbanker]

“” They’re killing me on FR just b/c I dumped my wife for my mistress, don’t talk
to my kids, was honored by NARAL, donated to Planned Parenthood, marched
for gay rights under the NAMBLA banner, appointed gays and pedophiles
to top city jobs, and provided a sanctuary city for illegals.” “

Sounds more like Obama ;-)

[furquhart]

Whenever I look at Giuliani, I always think of what Lincoln said about Grant: we can’t spare this man - he fights.

[neocon1984]

Just what we need - another Republican who can’t keep his pants zipped...

Is that what "dithering" means? I didn't know that.

[Positive]

During these times I am often reminded of a magazine add for a company at that time called Sperry-Rand. The made things to help navigate big ships like oil super-tankers.

The caption under a full page add in Life magazine about 40 years ago read:

When you're driving something that takes 27 miles to turn around and 7 miles to stop...you'd better know where you're going...

Well Rudi is the second Republican I've heard say something to the effect that you'd have to be crazy to want to take the reins during the mess that will exist in '10 and '12.

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

Well, flustered excitement is one of the definitions...

[Reagan Man]

Giuliani is a big government liberal and supports amnesty, gun control, abortion and special rights for homos. No decent or honest conservative would be caught dead backing him.

No thanks! No more Rudy McRombee’s

[GVnana]

Rudy Giuliani’s term as mayor was one of the best things that ever happened to NYC. He’d be a godsend over Patterson.

[Reagan Man]

>>>>>... he is also pretty much of a fiscal conservative.

By liberal NYCity standards, maybe. Nothing more.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

Problem is that Rudy should have ran for NY Governor in 2002 or 2006. I don't have a problem with him being Governor and it would have kept him out of the presidential race.

His time has passed now, he's in his mid-60s and he just has too much baggage. There's even rumors that he's going to run again for President in 2012. Ugh.

[Luke21]

I'm a huge Anti-Rudy guy, as my posting history would indicate, but I don't see the big deal here. He's a darn sight better than what they have, and did a decent enough job in NYC.

I never wanted him as prez, but we never win anything in NY. Dunno what kind of kool-aid pours out of the faucets up there.

[kabar]

You can be governor and be in your mid-60s. Too much baggage? Not for the NY voters.

[dirtboy]

Rudy would be President today had he been the nominee

In a pig's eye. The press and the Dems would have hung Bernie Kerik and Rudy's abouse of city funds around his neck.

[toomuchcoffee]

With Rudy, NYC is quite livable. Without Rudy NCY is a cesspool. Simple. He may not be your cup of moral tea but he sure can run a business/city properly.

[Liz]

........another Republican who can’t keep his pants zipped..........

We've heard about the popular Obama's "Cash for Clunkers."

I hear Rudy's running on a platform of "Funds for F*****s"......the federal govt will subsidize high-tech penile implants.

The federally subsidized "Penis-a-Go-Go" has microscopic cameras and remote video relays to wide screens in Planned Parenthood offices....

.......to make sure Americans are using sanitary sexual organs.....will save healthcare funds spent on STD's.

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

I love it! “Sanitary Sexual Organs For All” - sounds like a new Czar position...no pun intended

[fieldmarshaldj]

Nope. Rudy made McCain look like Palin by comparison in his ability to excite the base.

[leilani]

No more Rudy McRombee’s

So better a 100% pure FR-certified conservative who doesn't have a snowball's chance of hell being elected in a relatively liberal state like NY - or an ideologically divided country, for that matter, rather than a relatively right-leaning candidate who actually does have a chance to be elected in the real world with the real electorate as it is, not as it exists in some FR fantasy?

You'd actually prefer that the Pattersons & Obamas continue to win elections without putting up even an electable right-leaning candidate who can at least offer the hope of advancing some opposition to the Alinsky/Soros Party, just because he isn't as rigidly conservative as you are, even in a liberal state?

And that's really the grand strategy here? You'd just concede the NY contest entirely if you can't win everything you want when you want it?

Gee, I hope all the unborn generations of bankrupted New Yorkers standing on government queues for the honor of selecting their choice between either food or euthanasia in the future will be sure to remember to thank you posthumously for the advice that NY conservatives should valiantly stand their ground against 'RudyMcRombees'. [/sarc]

I gather you'd also be willing to condemn your own children not to mention the future progeny of all other conservative Americans to a hellhole of a banana republic ruled with an iron fist by anti-american leftists just so that you can continue to stroke your pristine political vanity, strut your rigid sense of rectitude and die with your strict 'principals' intact, huh?

Holy Cow! Obama's not the only ideological narcissist around, it would seem. Some people's 'conservatism' is really 'all about me' as well, isn't it?

[Mr_Moonlight]

Rudy Giuliani’s term as mayor was one of the best things that ever happened to NYC. He’d be a godsend over Patterson.

Which is what I fail to understand about the man ... the Governorship was his for the taking in 2006, why did he instead attempt to run for POTUS? Likewise challenging Hillary for Senate that same year, or Schmuckie in 2004?

He might not have won those elections, but he surely would have made them into more of contest than they turned out to be.

Running for POTUS instead? That was a dead duck from the very start.

[Liz]

"(Sob) I love *hope and change.* "

"Under Obamacare I get a free high-tech penile implant. "

"With my sanitary Penis-a-Go-Go, I never, ever have to use a rolled-up sock again."

[Liz]

“No more Rudy McRombee’s”.....................mmmmmm, love it.

Great bumper sticker and tee short slogan.

Thanks.

[ridesthemiles]

I don’t think he wants to challenge Hillry.
I think she will drop Sec State and quit being NObama’s mouthpiece and go for Governorship. Keeps her closer home for keeping an eye on Bill, also.

[presidio9]

I don't know where you are posting from, Liz, because you haven't identified a state. I am going to have to assume from your subheading that it's not NY. As a disclaimer, I will say that I have known Rudy personally for about 15 years. He's not a friend, but I could have him on the phone on Monday if I wanted to. I would not have voted for him, had he been in the NY primary. I would have voted for Thompson, but he was out, so I voted for Romney. This is all a declaimer, of course.

Rudy is not an ideal choice to be President, because he is a liberal on the most important social issues. We're all aware of what they are, no need to get into it. But on crime and quality of life, there is no better politician in America. The reason I assume that you are not a NYer, is because you would already know all of this, had you been living here in 1994. Almost over night, NYC returned from unlivable to the greatest city in the world. Graffiti vanished from buildings and subway cars, the crime rate went down. The murder rate went down. Porn shops, massage shops, hookers drug dealers and squeegee guys disappeared. Trash got picked up. Women could go jogging in Central Park at sunset without getting gang raped. Rudy did all this. If he held national office, I have no doubt he'd clean up the world a lot too. I don't want him there, but who wouldn't prefer him to Obama, the same way they'd prefer Zell Miller, or a social liberal like Joe Lieberman.

The point is this: It's nice to be principled, and say “we only accept Conservatives who call themselves Republicans,” but that kind of thinking will lose you every election in NY. There are no conservatives who run for office in NY. It's a wast of time and money, because they can't possibly win. Rudy Giuliani would be infinitely better than Dave Patterson as Governor, the same way he was infinitely better than Dave Dinkins as Mayor. You're rooting for NY to fail if you're rooting against him.

[Reagan Man]

No doubt about it. That was a classic moderate whine.

Obviously, you've been living in a cave for the 15 years.

The GOP won control of Congress in 1994 by pushing a conservative agenda based on Reaganism. We then elected someone who was considered a right leaning politico from Texas to complete the deal. The GOP now held all the cards.

How'd that work out?

Not satisfied with massive spending for prescription drugs, education, farm subsidies, energy and transportation. President Bush, along with GOP presidential candidate, John McCain, supported a $700-billion bailout aimed directly at WallSt robber barons, while giving cover to their Democrat cohorts in the Congress.

Sorry. Conservatives helping to elect moderates and liberal Republicans to public office has gotten us in the mess we have today. Bush, McCain and other wishy-washy centrist types are directly responsible for America having a Black Marxist in the White House today. Sadly, the rightwing almost pulled out a victory after Sarah Palin was added to the ticket, but we fell short.

Now you want conservatives to continue joining you moderates in supporting Constitution trampling liberals like Giuliani and Romney for public office. Not gonna happen. The days of voting for the lesser of two evils is fading fast. It serves no good purpose and solves nothing. Except to give liberal Democrats more election victories.

If Bush had used the Bully Pulpit to promote conservatism, it would have made a huge difference and had a profound impact gaining more converts to the GOP longterm. If the President and the GOP majority in Congress had stood up for what was right and not abandoned the conservative agenda in favor of more liberal domestic policy, the Dems wouldn't have won Congress in 2006 and the Presidency in 2008. Instead the GOP Congress followed Bush right off the cliff, straight into oblivion.

Don't think Free Republic is the right place to campaign for liberals and moderates and expect a free pass from conservative FReepers. Ain't gonna happen.

[Vaquero]

>>>>>... he is also pretty much of a fiscal conservative.
By liberal NYCity standards, maybe. Nothing more.

he is so far above the NY Dhimmicrats in so many ways as to make it imperative to vote for him for either Senator or Governor.

I would never, ever vote for him in a presidential primary...ever....

......HOWEVER....if he ever won the Republican presidential primaries, and he was running against the current POSOTUS??? I would have no choice but to vote for him....

[Mr_Moonlight]

Well said ... Thank You

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

New York State needs fresh leadership and new blood. Rudy is not the man anymore.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

So better a 100% pure FR-certified conservative who doesn't have a snowball's chance of hell being elected in a relatively liberal state like NY - or an ideologically divided country, for that matter, rather than a relatively right-leaning candidate who actually does have a chance to be elected in the real world with the real electorate as it is, not as it exists in some FR fantasy?

Why don't you get over the notion that only moderate Republicans can win in liberal areas when they've been losing seats in droves. Schundler was a solid conservative in New Jersey who won his primary for Governor until the state RINOs threw him under the bus. Also keep in mind that the Libertarian candidate for Senate in 2000 got more votes than the RINO against Kennedy. Conservatives can win in liberal areas, the GOP is too scared to run them.

[Clintonfatigued]

Rudy wants to be an executive, not a legislator. However, there is a movement to get ex-Governor George Pataki to run for the Senate next year.

[kabar]

And who is? Rudy still has the drive and energy to reverse what has happened to the Empire State. He is the right man at the right time for the job. Let’s hope he decides to take on the challenge.

[Reagan Man]

>>>>>he is so far above the NY Dhimmicrats in so many ways as to make it imperative to vote for him for either Senator or Governor.

Hardly. Rudy was raised a "NY Dhimmicrat". He supported RFK and McGovern, and admired Rockefeller Republicans like Jacob Javits and John Lindsey. Rudy changed parties, not his politics. Having grown up on the streets of Brooklyn, I knew many "Rudy Giuliani's", liberal NewYorkers to their core.

On many major issues, Rooty's position is no different than Obama's --- Roe v Wade, abortion on demand, gun control, special rights for homo's, amnesty, big government.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

And who is?

I'm sure there's someone in the legislature or a rich conservative businessman who can revive NY. Roger Ailes? He ran Rudy's Mayoral campaign in 1989.

Rudy still has the drive and energy to reverse what has happened to the Empire State.

Axelrod's goons will destroy Rudy.

He is the right man at the right time for the job. Let’s hope he decides to take on the challenge.

He was the right man at 2002 when he was still basking in the aftermath of 9/11. Plus he has health concerns. Sorry I disagree but of course concedes he'd be a huge improvement over Paterson.

[Vaquero]

most of what you say is true and he is still the best you can do in NY....and he is still head and shoulders ahead of Paterson...or ‘putzhead’ Schumer or Guillebrand...

[Reagan Man]

Liberal Dem vs liberal Pub. The “best”?

A zebra can’t change its stripes.

A conservative should never vote for a liberal.

[dsc]

“I will take Rudy over any Dem anytime.”

That’s like saying you would take plague over cholera. Dead is dead.

If you can’t trust a man in the bedroom, you can’t trust him anywhere.

[kabar]

I'm sure there's someone in the legislature or a rich conservative businessman who can revive NY. Roger Ailes? He ran Rudy's Mayoral campaign in 1989.

Have you ever lived in NY? Rudy is the man. He would be the strongest GOP candidate by far. Why don't you straighten things out in WI with its two liberal senators and Dem governor?

Axelrod's goons will destroy Rudy.

You don't have clue.

He was the right man at 2002 when he was still basking in the aftermath of 9/11. Plus he has health concerns. Sorry I disagree but of course concedes he'd be a huge improvement over Paterson.

Yeah, health concerns like Kerry and Dodd. Rudy is still very popular in NY. And becoming more so with the likes of Patterson and Bloomberg running things.

[kabar]

Give me a break. We are talking about running for Governor not gaining access to a monastery. Rudy did a fantastic job turning NYC around and he would do the same thing for the state.

The cheese head and the potato head commenting on Rudy's fitiness for office. Neither one of you has a clue. Get a life.

[dsc]

“We are talking about running for Governor not gaining access to a monastery.”

Doesn’t matter. If a man is a dirty, rotten scoundrel in the bedroom, he’s a dirty, rotten scoundrel everywhere.

As for the fantastic job he did, just about anybody who posts on FR could have done much, much better — and would have.

But then, as Napoleon noted, ability counts for but little without opportunity. Sadly, in America today, the scumbag king-makers — from both the Stupid Party and the Evil Party — do their best to prevent anyone except fellow scumbags from gaining high office.

[kabar]

As for the fantastic job he did, just about anybody who posts on FR could have done much, much better — and would have.

Discussion over. You are a lunatic.

[Vaquero]

Liberal Dem vs liberal Pub. The “best”?

A zebra can’t change its stripes.

A conservative should never vote for a liberal.

so it was YOU who didn't vote for McCain and caused the worst president in the history of the republic to be elected....OK...just needed to know who to blame....

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

Have you ever lived in NY?

No, thank God.

Rudy is the man.

Don't you mean woman? ROFL

He would be the strongest GOP candidate by far.

Only if he survives the liberal media bringing up his corruption ties and infidelity.

Why don't you straighten things out in WI with its two liberal senators and Dem governor?

We are. Kohl may step down in 2012 and Feingold is in trouble next year. We have a fine Congressman in Ryan, and Governor Doyle is very unpopular here, facing a challenge against a conservative who is Milwaukee's County Executive.

You don't have clue.

No, you don't. Obama's media will destroy Rudy and conservatives aren't going to play the lesser of two evils anymore which will result in a Rudy loss even if he miraculously wins the primaries.

Yeah, health concerns like Kerry and Dodd.

Kerry and Dodd are Democrats which means they get a pass. Liberals will make Rudy's bout with cancer an issue.

Rudy is still very popular in NY.

Maybe among the cocktail circuit that frequent Gracie's Mansion parties, but what about the people?

And becoming more so with the likes of Patterson and Bloomberg running things.

He is not a fiscal conservative in terms of addressing the structural and underlying problems NY state has. All he's going to do is slow the pace of socialism down some like RINOLD did in California and inevitably get blamed for future problems.