Top Republicans Want Rudy Convention Keynote (RUDY RUDY RUDY!!!)

WINS NEWS ^ | 2/3/04

[areafiftyone]

Former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani as the keynote speaker for the Republican National Convention?

Organizers of the event that begins Aug. 30 in Manhattan say they haven't nailed down those details, but Giuliani's successor, Michael Bloomberg, caused a stir when he suggested the idea on Monday.

In a speech to tourism and convention officials, Bloomberg, who was a Democrat before he ran for mayor as a Republican in 2001, joked that he was not a likely choice to headline the GOP gathering. He slyly suggested that he'd "probably lose that battle" to another New York City mayor.

Giuliani, whose spokeswoman had no immediate comment, is an obvious pick for the main speaking slot. He was credited with guiding the city through its grief after the 2001 terror attacks, leadership that also won him nationwide political praise. He was later named Time magazine's Person of the Year.

After he left City Hall, he formed a consulting group, and has said he would probably seek political office again.

Traditionally, keynote addresses are the most important speeches at a convention except for those of the presidential and vice presidential nominees.

The Republicans had no official keynote speaker at their 2000 convention in Philadelphia, opting instead to give prominent speaking roles to Colin Powell, Arizona Sen. John McCain and Laura Bush. In 1996, New York Rep. Susan Molinari was the keynote speaker at the San Diego convention.

Convention staffers say Giuliani could be a contender this year. He will clearly have a significant role in the convention, as chairman of the New York City Host Committee, which raises money for the event.

Gov. George Pataki, also a Republican, said Monday that Giuliani would make a "terrific" keynote speaker.

Convention CEO Bill Harris said the committee planning the event's program has not been formed yet, nor have organizers decided when in the four-day event the keynote speech would take place.

"Nobody's even considered who the keynote speaker's going to be yet," Harris told reporters after Monday's meeting, where he also spoke. "All those questions are by far premature."

[areafiftyone]

TERRIFIC IDEA!

[princess leah]

We have a winner, Johnny!

[EternalVigilance]

They are going to make it the RINO New York convention, perhaps.

More bad news for conservatives, if true.

They're walking right up to the line...that line is a pro-abort on the presidential or vice-presidential ticket, or tampering with the Reagan pro-life plank. If they ever cross that line, turn out the lights, the party's over...

[areafiftyone]

Regardless Rudy was the best mayor NYC ever had. I think he would be a great speaker. His perfomance on 9/11 was outstanding and he helped us New Yorkers feel like we could lean on him during the worst time of our life. He got us thru it like a true leader. (Of course Bush was our true fearless leader). There is NO Perfect Republican just like there is NO perfect Democrat. There will always be something that someone doesn't like about them.

[South40]

[EternalVigilance]

I don't argue with those things.

But you must remember that your top elected New York Republicans are social liberals to the max, and the majority of the Party's base across the country are not.

I swear, the leadership of our party is getting stupider and stupider.

[Alberta's Child]

It's worth noting that if it were not for 9/11, Rudy Giuliani would have been remembered (incorrectly, in my mind) as a mediocre mayor. His problem was that he was a very difficult person to get along with, and most people who worked with him describe him as a royal pain in the @ss.

These attributes are what makes him such a great "crisis" leader -- but they would also make him a weak candidate at a time when voters do not perceive a major crisis on the horizon.

[areafiftyone]

Well you have to realize that alot of the true ones are a dying breed. We have to mold the ones we have.

[EternalVigilance]

"No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other."

- Luke 16:13

[Zack Nguyen]

As long the former Mayor doesn't talk about abortion, homosexual marriage or gun control, chances are the delegates will like him just fine.

[areafiftyone]

Actually way before 9/11 I thought he was an excellent mayor. The streets of New York were cleaner than they ever were. There was a major drop in crime. The quality of life was better in New York City than it ever was. I am glad I voted for him twice. And I don't ever regret those votes.

[EternalVigilance]

Well you have to realize that alot of the true ones are a dying breed. We have to mold the ones we have.

Give me a break.

You could use that to justify just about anything.

[Zack Nguyen]

that line is a pro-abort on the presidential or vice-presidential ticket, or tampering with the Reagan pro-life plank. If they ever cross that line, turn out the lights, the party's over...

That could permanently fracture the Republican coalition as it currently stands.

[EternalVigilance]

Which of course are three of the most important issues to a majority of the delegates.

[areafiftyone]

Actually I don't think Rudy would ever run for president. I think he has his eye on the Senate or Governor. President would be tough for him.

[deport]

and the majority of the Party's base across the country are not.

---

I don't want to get into an argument about this but a question..

Why is it that the base is always a certain select group or few.... The Republican Party is made up of many different factions representing groups from the far right side of the spectrum to the far left side I'd guess. So to select any one group and call them the base is not correct imo. They are a portion of the party and represent a portion of the base of the party but they aren't the entire base by any strecth, imo.

[EternalVigilance]

That could permanently fracture the Republican coalition as it currently stands.

Not 'could', it 'would'.

With 100% certainty.

[EternalVigilance]

Leadership of the GOP, including delegates to the national convention, are chosen democratically.

Do you have a clue what the makeup of that delegation is?

I can tell you without any doubt that they are overwhelmingly pro-life, pro-gun and deadset against the homosexual agenda, etc.

What you describe is not some small faction in the Party. Those who want to forward those items need to go to the Democrats where they belong, and not attempt to saddle us with a tyranny of the minority.

[tkathy]

Rudy would make a great president.

[deport]

Yes I know that a lot of the local and state party is under the control of the right wing tilt..... but they don't win elections by themselves are even close. My guess is the 'broken glass republicans' or middle group come closer to the voting base rather than either fringe side.....

Don't get in a huff... can't stay and discuss as I've got to go to the hospital to be with an aunt that is in surgery this morning.... take care.