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Is Rudy a Conservative?
Karnick on Culture ^ | jan 27, 2007 | S. T. Karnick

Posted on 01/27/2007 1:26:55 PM PST by S. T. Karnick

In a very interesting City Journal article, Steven Malanga argues that "Yes, Rudy Guiliani Is a Conservative/And an electable one at that."

Malanga makes a strong case for Rudy as a Reagan-style conservative. After recounting Giuliani's record as mayor of New York City, in which, as Malanga establishes firmly, Rudy supported free markets and individual responsibility, as exemplified vividly in his tax cuts , welfare reform success, "zero tolerance" crimefighting, and firm rejection of racial politics.

As Malanga notes, Giuliani did this in what was one of the most leftist cities in the United States until he became mayor.

There's no question in my mind that Giuliani was a superb mayor and is a solid man of the right in most of his public stances. What many conservatives question, of course, is his record on social issues (such as support for legality of abortions, homosexual marriage, and gun control) and his occasionally unsteady personal life (such as his divorce from his somewhat eccentric wife).

None of this, Malanga argues, should preclude conservatives from supporting Giuliani for President:

[I]n a GOP presidential field in which cultural and religious conservatives may find something to object to in every candidate who could really get nominated (and, more important, elected), Giuliani may be the most conservative candidate on a wide range of issues. Far from being a liberal, he ran New York with a conservative’s priorities: government exists above all to keep people safe in their homes and in the streets, he said, not to redistribute income, run a welfare state, or perform social engineering. The private economy, not government, creates opportunity, he argued; government should just deliver basic services well and then get out of the private sector’s way. He denied that cities and their citizens were victims of vast forces outside their control, and he urged New Yorkers to take personal responsibility for their lives. “Over the last century, millions of people from all over the world have come to New York City,” Giuliani once observed. “They didn’t come here to be taken care of and to be dependent on city government. They came here for the freedom to take care of themselves.” It was that spirit of opportunity and can-do-ism that Giuliani tried to re-instill in New York and that he himself exemplified not only in the hours and weeks after 9/11 but in his heroic and successful effort to bring a dying city back to life.

Malanga's argument against conservative rejection of Giuliani is twofold. Point one is that the social issues are not as important as the economic and national defense policies which are Giuliani's great strength. Point two is that Giuliani is conservative in the really important ways:

As part of Giuliani’s quintessentially conservative belief that dysfunctional behavior, not our economic system, lay at the heart of intergenerational poverty, he also spoke out against illegitimacy and the rise of fatherless families. A child born out of wedlock, he observed in one speech, was three times more likely to wind up on welfare than a child from a two-parent family. “Seventy percent of long-term prisoners and 75 percent of adolescents charged with murder grew up without fathers,” Giuliani told the city. He insisted that the city and the nation had to reestablish the “responsibility that accompanies bringing a child into the world,” and to that end he required deadbeat fathers either to find a private-sector job or to work in the city’s workfare program as a way of contributing to their child’s upbringing. But he added that changing society’s attitude toward marriage was more important than anything government could do: “[I]f you wanted a social program that would really save these kids, . . . I guess the social program would be called fatherhood.”

As a consequence of his rejection of the time-honored New York liberal belief in congenital black victimhood, Giuliani set out to change the city’s conversation about race. He objected to affirmative action, ending Gotham’s set-aside program for minority contractors, and he rejected the idea of lowering standards for minorities. Accordingly, he ended open enrollment at the City University of New York, a 1970s policy aimed at increasing the minority population at the nation’s third-largest public college system but one that also led to a steep decline in standards and in graduation rates.

This is a strong and important argument, and it will be good for the right to argue this one out.

Later in the article, Malanga makes the case that Giuliani is an important enough figure to merit presidential consideration:

The national, and even world, press marveled at the spectacular success of Giuliani’s policies. The combination of a safer city and a better budget environment ignited an economic boom unlike any other on record. Construction permits increased by more than 50 percent, to 70,000 a year under Giuliani, compared with just 46,000 in Dinkins’s last year. Meanwhile, as crime plunged, New Yorkers took to the newly safe streets to go out at night to shows and restaurants, and the number of tourists soared from 24 million in the early 1990s to 38 million in 2000, the year before the 9/11 attacks. Under Giuliani, the city gained some 430,000 new jobs to reach its all-time employment peak of 3.72 million jobs in 2000, while the unemployment rate plummeted from 10.3 to 5.1 percent. Personal income earned by New Yorkers, meanwhile, soared by $100 million, or 50 percent, while the percentage of their income that they paid in taxes declined from 8.8 to 7.3 percent. During Giuliani’s second term, for virtually the only time since World War II, the city’s economy consistently grew faster than the nation’s.

Today, Americans see Giuliani as presidential material because of his leadership in the wake of the terrorist attacks, but to those of us who watched him first manage America’s biggest city when it was crime-ridden, financially shaky, and plagued by doubts about its future as employers and educated and prosperous residents fled in droves, Giuliani’s leadership on 9/11 came as no surprise. What Americans saw after the attacks is a combination of attributes that Giuliani governed with all along: the tough-mindedness that had gotten him through earlier civic crises, a no-nonsense and efficient management style, and a clarity and directness of speech that made plain what he thought needed to be done and how he would do it.

Like great wartime leaders, Giuliani displayed unflinching courage on 9/11. A minute after the first plane struck, he rushed downtown, arriving at the World Trade Center just after the second plane hit the South Tower, when it became obvious to everyone that New York was under attack. Fearing that more strikes were on the way—and without access to City Hall, the police department, or the city’s command center because of damage from the attacks—Giuliani hurried to reestablish city government, narrowly escaping death himself as the towers came down next to a temporary command post he had set up in lower Manhattan. “There is no playbook for a mayor on how to organize city government when you are standing on a street covered by dust from the city’s worst calamity,” one of his deputy mayors, Anthony Coles, later observed.

This is all true, and I think that Malanga is right to conclude that Rudy Giuliani merits serious consideration as a presidential candidate.

In addition to that, I think that the discussion of Giuliani's qualifications for national leadership could be very salutary for the right. Those who define themselves as conservatives find it hard to support someone with Guiliiani's record on social issues.

As a liberal of the right, I too disagree with Guiliani's positions supporting abortion, gay marriage, and the like. However, I think that Guiliani would have to move a little to the right on these issues in order to secure the Republican nomination, and that as president he would not be any less supportive of the Right's social agenda than Ronald Reagan was as president.

Guiliani reminds me rather strongly of Reagan, in fact. Although Reagan talked the talk on social issues, he didn't really walk the walk, unless I wasn't looking when Sandra Day O'Connor and Anthony Casey voted to turn back Roe v. Wade in the 1992 Planned Parenthood v. Casey decision. Similarly, Reagan had been divorced and had a rather less than perfectly salubrious family life. But on the big things Reagan was the best president of the past century.

If Rudy Guiliani could be half that good, that would make hiim a superior president indeed. His candidacy merits serious consideration.

From Karnick on Culture.


TOPICS: Politics
KEYWORDS: 2008race; conservatism
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To: narses

I'm glad to see you can copy and post what another Freeper said from another thread!!! I can copy and paste what I said in response to him too

http://www.kennedyvmachine.com/?p=2796

The man described here doesn't sound like a liberal too me and completely refutes you argument on Rudy about immigration and being a big government Republican. As far as abortion goes, like I said in Post 16 we can't stop it. As far a gay rights go, Rudy is against gay marriage. All other gay issues, who cares. Gays don't affect your life or mine. Lets worry about things that affect our life, like the WOT, taxes, ect.


21 posted on 01/27/2007 5:02:41 PM PST by My GOP (Conservatives should be realistic and pragmatic!!)
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To: narses

"He ran cause he was gonna lose! He is the wrong man for the job."

You're lying through your teeth and you know it you judgmental, ignorant, idiot!!


22 posted on 01/27/2007 5:03:36 PM PST by My GOP (Conservatives should be realistic and pragmatic!!)
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To: My GOP

Name calling, f'shame! He ran. He is a loser. And a liar. And an adulterer.


23 posted on 01/27/2007 5:05:28 PM PST by narses (St Thomas says "lex injusta non obligat.")
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To: My GOP

"Gays don't affect your life or mine."

Tell that to those who don't know any better.


24 posted on 01/27/2007 5:06:23 PM PST by narses (St Thomas says "lex injusta non obligat.")
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To: narses

"Name calling, f'shame! He ran. He is a loser. And a liar. And an adulterer."

Speaking of name calling........


25 posted on 01/27/2007 5:13:09 PM PST by My GOP (Conservatives should be realistic and pragmatic!!)
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To: narses

Something is wrong with you if you think gays affect your life. You're not a conservative, you're a right wing extremist nut job and probably a fundie Christian. Anyways, I can't change your mind and I can't change yours so, later.


26 posted on 01/27/2007 5:14:52 PM PST by My GOP (Conservatives should be realistic and pragmatic!!)
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To: My GOP

"Rudy backed down from the Senate race because he had prostate cancer!! I know what the GOP platform says. Do you agree with it 100%? Republicans can and do have differences. To think 100% of Republicans are going to agree with the official GOP platform 100% of the time is ignorant and stupid. You can criticize him all you want and it want change the fact that my original post is correct and that you are ignorant, judgemental, and have no realization of today's realities. I do use common sense. I know Rudy is right on the most important issues that the President actually can affect and is the only Republican other than McCain that can win the general election in 2008".



Here it is, plain and simple, If Rudy had been elected Mayor of Saint Augustine, Florida, or to the St. John's County commission, or as Governor of the State of Florida, and showed up pushing all his anti RKBA crap, I would be working doubletime, to derail his sorry arse!
What I don't need from you is telling me what the "important issues" are! I have my own opinions, and so far,Rudy stinks!
I reckon you may believe that living in a big city proves that you are smarter, all it proves to me is that you ain't smart enough to make it on your own!


27 posted on 01/27/2007 5:15:34 PM PST by SWAMPSNIPER (BUAIDH NO BAS, JUST SAY NO TO RINO!)
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To: My GOP

More name calling. How sad.


28 posted on 01/27/2007 5:17:21 PM PST by narses (St Thomas says "lex injusta non obligat.")
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To: SWAMPSNIPER

"What I don't need from you is telling me what the "important issues" are! I have my own opinions, and so far,Rudy stinks!"

This is a free forum. I have the right to express my analysis of political realities and my opinions just like you can express yours. That's clear enough I think.

" reckon you may believe that living in a big city proves that you are smarter, all it proves to me is that you ain't smart enough to make it on your own!"

Did I say I lived in a big city? I live in Lexington, NC, population of 18,000. Never assume anything. You know what they say about assuming right? Did I say I was smarter than everyone else? I'm just expressing my opinions and my analysis which I can do on this free forum! Why the ill-feelings? Can't you disagree in a respectful manner?


29 posted on 01/27/2007 5:20:45 PM PST by My GOP (Conservatives should be realistic and pragmatic!!)
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To: S. T. Karnick

obviously not.

but i would vote for guiliani to keep hillary out of the presidency.

we got bill because conservatives stayed home in 1992.


30 posted on 01/27/2007 5:21:00 PM PST by ken21 (it takes a village to brainwash your child + to steal your property! /s)
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To: narses

You started it by calling Rudy names.


31 posted on 01/27/2007 5:21:25 PM PST by My GOP (Conservatives should be realistic and pragmatic!!)
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To: S. T. Karnick
Point one is that the social issues are not as important as the economic and national defense policies which are Giuliani's great strength

I've been saying this since the mid-terms. You cut the size of government & cut taxes, defend America, and the social issues will take care of themselves.

32 posted on 01/27/2007 5:24:11 PM PST by Extremely Extreme Extremist (Forgot your tagline? Click here to have it resent!)
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To: My GOP

I could spend a bit quoting your statements, but you're correct on your judgement of Rudy.


33 posted on 01/27/2007 5:30:40 PM PST by Malsua
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To: Malsua

"I could spend a bit quoting your statements, but you're correct on your judgement of Rudy."

I'll have to take some time and do that. Its a work in progress. Thanks for the compliment!


34 posted on 01/27/2007 5:32:05 PM PST by My GOP (Conservatives should be realistic and pragmatic!!)
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To: My GOP

If you are really uninformed, you might want to see how many gun grabbing bills are in the hopper, being discussed in committees, etc. in Congress. (Many articles have been posted on FR from GOA, NRA, etc.) Check out the move in PA, the state with the most hunters, to re-write the state constitution through a constitutional convention now that the Democrats control the Legislature by 1 (!) vote to eliminate the 2nd Amendment which is clearer and more forceful than the US one. It's a full court press on all levels led by the Democrats that is coming and they have no intention of waiting until after the '08 election like most people assumed.


35 posted on 01/27/2007 5:34:10 PM PST by penowa (NO more Bushes; NO more Clintons EVER!)
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To: penowa

Many, many bills are introduced and put in committees every year, the vast majority that never come to the floor. If the party leaders are discussing it and pushing it, then its usually not a priority and won't come to the floor. Many of the new House Democrats are pro-gun. As for state legislatures, that's a shame but federalism prevents the federal government from getting involved.


36 posted on 01/27/2007 5:41:16 PM PST by My GOP (Conservatives should be realistic and pragmatic!!)
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To: narses
Rudy supports big government Republicanism.

You didn't read all of Rudy's accomplishments as Mayor in the City Journal article, obviously. Still regurgitating the same old anti-Rudy spin. Rudy CUT the size of city government, he cut taxes, and he forced the public service unions to either accept new contracts or get PRIVATIZED.

Rudy has supported gun control and an assault weapons ban.

Gun control was already the law in NYC and being a big-city Mayor Rudy is obviously not going to take a concealed-carry point of view. NYC is not Texas. I don't think Rudy is dumb enough to call for nationwide gun control, do you, after seeing even Democrats running away from the issue?

Rudy has supported abortion on demand and a ban on partial birth abortion.

Abortions DECLINED under Rudy when he was Mayor.
Past statements doesn't mean jack - did he implement any pro-abortion policies as Mayor?

Rudy has supported and even promoted special rights for homos.

No he didn't. Everyone should be treated equally per Rudy.

Rudy supports liberal immigration reform, amnesty and a path to citizenship for illegals.

I will wait to hear Rudy's explanation on this.

37 posted on 01/27/2007 5:45:46 PM PST by Extremely Extreme Extremist (Forgot your tagline? Click here to have it resent!)
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To: My GOP

Telling the truth about an adulterering gun grabber is not name-calling.


38 posted on 01/27/2007 5:56:47 PM PST by narses (St Thomas says "lex injusta non obligat.")
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To: narses

Lying about why Rudy dropped out of the Senate race and then calling him a loser and coward is! I finished with you. Good night.


39 posted on 01/27/2007 6:02:06 PM PST by My GOP (Conservatives should be realistic and pragmatic!!)
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To: Extremely Extreme Extremist

The truth hurts doesn't it?


40 posted on 01/27/2007 6:04:39 PM PST by My GOP (Conservatives should be realistic and pragmatic!!)
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