Guiliani-Rice in '08.
Beauseant!
Posted on 07/30/2005 5:55:36 AM PDT by Uncledave
With Gipper's game plan, Rudy can win it all
July 30, 2005
BY THOMAS ROESER Advertisement
As I write this I know my fellow social conservatives will get mad: There is no one in either political party who would be a more exciting candidate for president than Rudy Giuliani, former mayor of New York City. I'll tell you his story -- the good and the bad -- and I'll tell you how he can solve his problems with you. And me. Incidentally, as you read, keep in mind the contrast with Mayor Daley.
The good and bad about Rudy is contained in a book, The Prince of the City [Encounter: 2005] by Fred Siegel, a hard-bitten teacher at Cooper Union University. The good: Rudy came into office in 1994 a Republican in a Big Apple that was rotten to the core, steeped with bosses, bagmen and racial arsonists, a hostile "combination of liberal consensus and helplessness [that] made serious policy debate seem irrelevant," and quickly brought in a band of brother prosecutors from the U.S. attorney's office. They gave up millions in private law firm salaries for the fun of working and drinking (after hours) with Rudy. Most never left his side until his two terms ran out in 2001.
Giuliani was an eerily compulsive hands-on manager. If you want to understand him, said an associate, remember that as a Yankee fan he's the guy who keeps score and writes down how each out and each run took place. Just as when he read The Godfather he diagrammed how the mob worked, for relaxation he would sketch on a pad how every department worked. He would explain to the public clearly what he wanted to do: cut the size of government, cut taxes to attract jobs "so people can work," consolidate or cut out city departments, introduce competition to delivery of services and work with the governor [Democrat Mario Cuomo] "to get our fair share of revenue."
He insisted on tough police standards, once jumping out of his limo in Times Square to chase a guy he saw grab a woman's purse. He was heedless of civil libertarians. It seemed like he wanted to offend all interest groups and took the heat, forgetting the polls. Crime in 1995 saw 163,428 fewer felonies, with murder dropping 16 percent in 1996. He trumpeted that work is the best social welfare policy, pushing welfare reform, announcing that 23 percent of the welfare recipients in Jersey City were also receiving New York City benefits. He balanced his budget, fought with Al Sharpton against what he called "racial racketeering," and grinned as he took heat from minority communities.
The bad? Giuliani was ego-driven. He got jealous of his police commissioner, who was getting more favorable press than he, fired him and hired another (who was just as tough). Giuliani's personal life fell into tatters: his first marriage annulled, his second wife was a TV anchor who drove him nuts. He spatted with her, kept public company with a divorcee, came down with prostate cancer, married again. His political career was pronounced over. Then came 9/11.
That tragedy redeemed him. When the first plane hit the north tower, Guiliani ran from the Pinnacle Hotel where he was at a breakfast, shouting over his cell phone that command headquarters should move from 7 World Trade Center to Barclay Street a block away. Good thinking: Just as they evacuated, the plane hit the south tower. The debris was so heavy his command center was inundated. With his cell phone deadened, Giuliani's staff thought he was dead as well, but a janitor found him dazed and led him out through a little-known passage in the basement.
Television captured the man at that moment, stumbling down the street in the smoke, his handkerchief to his mouth, directing his city through uncharted territory, ordering all bridges and tunnels shut down. Courage is the most important virtue, said Churchill: It guarantees all others. As Bush retires, he should be supplanted by a man of this valor.
Social conservatives will oppose Giuliani for his pro-abortion views. It's up to Giuliani to help himself with them, and here's how. As governor of California, Ronald Reagan signed the most permissive abortion law in the country. Rudy, can you hear me? If you want this thing -- this presidency -- you gotta change and mean it. Your marriages we can do nothing about. But your social views have to change. They'll say you're an opportunist, but you have heard that before. You can change. And mean it. We're waiting.
No way that Guiliani will get my support in the primary. If he were to win the primaries, he'd have to publicly modify some positions and pledge absolute fealty to the platform before he'd get my support. Otherwise, I might just stay home or look elsewhere.
He would not get my vote even if he said that he had changed his views. I would want some time put between his mind changing. I voted for Al Gore for senator because he SAID that he was pro life and pro gun. Thank goodness I wised up.
My choices will be:
1. Republican candidate
2. Democratic candidate
3. Sit out the election
4. Some other candidate
With so much invested in the Republicans, I will do all I can to support them. But, they have to give a little. Giuliani would have to give a lot. That stands for Rice, too. I'd want a clear RILOM Pro-life position out of both of them. Reagan had that position and I voted for him.
Santorum simply is on my list no more.
A lot are hyping Allen from Virginia. I don't know that much about him, but I'm willing to listen. For President, I prefer governors experienced in executive functions to legislators trained in legislative functions.
Guilianni won't run and if he does he won't make it through the primaries.
Eventhough I voted for Frist twice for senator, he was never on my list for president.
I would consider Allen because he has been a governor and the only thing that I do not agree with is his stance on abortion. I belive that life begins at conception and he thinks it is a little later.
Sure thing, but they voted for her husband twice.....
When I think of bravery, I think of the men that have put their very LIVES on the line for our country, or, given the ultimate sacrifice. I do NOT think of some self-important politician who has lived a pampered, protected existence by living on hard-working citizens tax dollars.
What has RINO-Rudy ever done that is even REMOTELY shown real bravery?
He should run for Governor of NY, because if he wins he'd be in the catbird seat for the VP slot.
He cleaned up the streets but that doesn't mean I'd want him for president with the power to appoint judges,etc.
If it was a choice between Hillary and Giuliani, I would too.
wrote:
Why would his personal history doom him? So he got divorced. SO FREAKIN WHAT. So did Reagan. People don't care anymore.
** I care. Some people can compartmentalise that way but I do think our leaders should be held to a certain standard.
Guiliani-Rice in '08.
Beauseant!
I don't think Giuliani plays well with others. He'll have to change that if he wants to run for president.
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self bump
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