Posted on 09/27/2005 6:37:12 AM PDT by areafiftyone
This is the story of how Hurricane Katrina made this conservative Republican fall in love with Rudy Giuliani all over again. I first developed a fond affection for the mayor when he did what many believed could not be done and cleaned up New York City. In 1999, I cheered him when he stood up for common decency and the taxpayers of New York by rejecting city funding for elephant dung art. My admiration turned to love when Mayor Giuliani reassured the nation, and the world, with his incredible response to the attacks of September 11.
An admirer of Giuliani and a believer that he had a good shot at the presidency long before Hurricane Katrina, I now find myself becoming a full-fledged fan of the prospect. I will likely get some grief from some of my fellow pro-life, social conservatives, but I hope they will consider not only what an attractive candidate Rudy would be in the post-Katrina political climate, but also to consider the attributes Giuliani would bring to the presidency.
On September 11, we saw what a leader looks like during a crisis and it looked like Rudolph Giuliani. In contrast, the recent example of New Orleans’ Mayor Nagin taking to the airwaves cursing the federal government and calling for the cavalry, not only did not look like leadership, but made Giuliani's performance on 9/11 look positively, well, presidential by comparison.
Many of the lessons learned from Katrina highlight Giuliani’s strengths. Considering that he received some of his harshest criticism as mayor for his tough law and order positions, it is impossible to imagine Giuliani giving looters a pass (and, I would argue, encouragement) as Mayor Nagin did in the early days of flooding in New Orleans.
Thanks to the blame-Bush media, it seems the public now believes that the first and ultimate responder to any kind of disaster, whether natural or man-made, should be the federal government, or more specifically, the President. Giuliani is the only potential 2008 candidate that has shown himself capable of handling a challenge of such historic proportions. Because issues of national security and war and peace in the Middle East will outlive the Bush presidency, the nation will be looking for a leader able to perform in a crisis.
Even more than his proven ability to perform under pressure, however, one thing that Giuliani may be able to do, that some other Republicans might not, is unite the country. If Bush, as amiable as he is, and with a reputation as a uniter as governor of Texas, could be painted as an extremist divider, it is reasonable to believe the same will be attempted with the next Republican candidate. Giuliani achieved giant stature in my eyes, and those of most other Americans, with his actions following 9/11. Because he is already known as a uniter and a strong leader, he will be resistant to attempts to portray him otherwise. He can also claim to have received a large number of votes from Democrats in past elections. Not many, if any, of the other potential Republican presidential candidates can say that.
Ironically, Giuliani's positions on abortion and gay rights, while making it more difficult for him to win the Republican primary, make it almost impossible for opponents to paint him as an extremist. Abortion will always be an important issue to Republican primary voters, but with Bush appointments of two (or possibly three) conservative Supreme Court justices, the issue is not as likely to be the deal breaker that it has been in some past elections. Choosing a pro-life running mate might be enough to win over enough pro-life Republican primary voters to capture the nomination. He would definitely have to answer some tough questions about social policy (and he better not have any Bernie Kerik problems), but if he plays things smart, he can win the Republican nomination.
Electability though, while obviously necessary, does not a good president make. Giuliani's effectiveness as mayor of New York and his excellent communication skills convince me that he could be a very successful president. From his words and actions following 9/11, and more recently from his speech at the 2004 Republican National Convention, I know he can inspire. Because of Giuliani's staunch, and often eloquent, defense of President Bush’s policy in Iraq, and because of his personal experience on 9/11, I have no doubt that he would continue to vigorously prosecute the War on Terror and would be a strong defender of Israel and a promoter of democracy in the Middle East.
It is still early. I’m not saying Rudy Giuliani will be my choice in the spring of 2008. I’m just saying that in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and with the mission in Iraq and the Middle East still far from over, “the world’s mayor” is looking pretty good right now.
Lorie Byrd lives in North Carolina where she worked as a litigation paralegal before becoming a stay-at-home to her two daughters six years ago. She has written on political matters at the group blog, Polipundit, since April 2004. She also writes at her own weblog, Byrd Droppings, and is currently a contributor at ConfirmThem.com and MediaSlander.com
SmartCitizen - Sept. 8, 2005
What state your cave, ugh?
If Rudy got on the ballot it would provide untold entertainment value.
I doubt -- very seriously doubt -- that those pushing Rudy know much about him.
Thank you for mentioning that. Not many Freepers know that. I had a boss here in NYC who carried a gun around with him all the time and that was when Rudy was Mayor.
The war is far from a joke. The problems you mentioned is that despite 911, there is little or no political will to police the borders better, call out Islam, etc. Turkey is the model for a relatively free Muslim country, by the way.
In regards to same sex marriage (not gay marriage - gay people are allowed to get married and consistently have been), I must not have been clear. Opposing same sex marriage is NOT being mean to gay people. That's my point. And President Bush and a President Rudy have almost no say on that topic, policywise. Even liberal Clinton signed the DOMA, I don't think Rudy wouldn't. There is broad consensus against same sex marriage.
Being mean to gay people is not a good path and not conservative. That's all I'm saying. The fact that Rudy is friendly with some homosexual people isn't damning to me, I hope it wouldn't be damning to anyone else.
Your post is shadowboxing: I am not for any of the things you are against.
I agree that we need fiscal responsibility. The problem is that no one gets elected on that. As we see in many posts here people are far more concerned with social issues than economic issues.
how did the shooter in the example you cite obtain the gun he used in the empire state building shooting?
"The man who committed this despicable act of hatred and violence came to the United States on December 24th. First, he arrived in New York and then traveled to Melbourne, Florida, where he checked into a cheap hotel.
Using the hotel address, he was able to obtain a photo ID card, and that was all he needed to buy a gun, a .380 Beretta, capable of firing 14 rounds in 4 or 5 seconds."
should this man have been able to purchase a gun? should any non-citizen be able to purchase a gun?
Anyone (well, almost anyone) who wants a gun can get a gun w/carry permit in NYC. It helps if you have a good reason, but it isn't required.
I'm no longer a New Yorker but visit frequently and the difference is night and day.
The point is that this is "morality" in action. What a mayor can do and did do.
As you wrote, Giuliani as President would not make an iota of difference to Bush with guns, gays, or abortion.
He will make a difference where is counts. And like Churchill, as soon as he fixes the things that need fixing will likely be discarded for that allusive candidate that is "perfect" on guns and abortion (even as nothing will change on those issues).
Dear areafiftyone,
"If Rudy does well and wins the nomination he will be it whether we like it or not and you and everyone else who doesn't think he should be president can vote for third party or Dem."
If Mr. Giuliani wins the nomination, then the Republicans will be watching the inauguration in 2009 from the gallery.
Socials conservatives are a large part of the base of the party, just like pro-tax cut conservatives. You can't kick folks in the groin and expect that they'll vote for you.
That's the lesson the party learned vis a vis tax cut conservatives in 1992. If folks decide to nominate Mr. Giuliani, then the party will learn the same lesson vis a vis social conservatives in 2008.
sitetest
The point is that this is "morality" in action.
I have never, ever -- not in my entire life -- heard that applied to NYC.
the screening process by the NYPD is very difficult to get past. very difficult.
Uh, that's why you hire a lawyer. When I worked in a high risk profession, not a week went by when I wasn't offered the services of a lawyer to acquire a carry permit.
You are the one on "tropical drugs" if you think the country wants a "moderate" or a liberal as President.
Moderate = Weak-minded and willing to "compromise" with the enemy. Standing on principle and having strong, unwavering convictions is NOT the forte of "moderates".
Like Rush said once, there are famous conservatives and famous liberals, but there are no famous "moderates".
Our country doesn't need a liberal like Hillary, NOR a liberal (you call a "moderate") like RINO-Rudy as the leader of the free world.
We can do better than either of these goofballs, and we will, so you and your merry band of RINO-lovers might as well stop your incessant RINO-love-fest posting.
should this man have been able to purchase a gun?
No. It was illegal for him to purchase that gun. For one thing, he illegally used a hotel as his place of residence, contrary to Florida gun control laws.
should any non-citizen be able to purchase a gun?
No. Federal law prohibits all immigrants from buying a gun if they have been in the country fewer than 90 days.
Because gun control works, Abu Kamal was prevented from buying that gun. Those seven people he shot were never shot. The two dead people are still alive. Because gun control works.
Maybe you should look at the results of the last election when the Democrats put up a jerk like Kerry.
A few votes in Ohio and that, and much more, is exactly what the country would have wanted.
Look at the SOURCE regarding who are the "odds on favorites right now".
The left-wing or left-leaning pollsters are "push-polling", and the left-wing press is trying to use the power of suggestion to push their DREAM election...
In their twisted minds, if the leftist Hillary wins GREAT.
If one just to the right of Hillary, a RINO like Rudy or McLame, wins - well, they can live with that too.
No one should fall for this crap, or the country will be in trouble.
Don't be silly. Membership on FR embues no one with any special intelligence or awareness. It's just a forum. Therefore, how long I have been a member is certainly irrelevant to any topic.
Everyone knows N.Y.C., up to and under Mayor Dinkins sucked hard. Under Rudi, it became, well, civilized. Have you read "Prince of The City"? Has anyone around here? Didn't think so.
After this President, most citizens of the U.S. are going to look hard at a leader who can articulate his position and who's been there - done that. Not some no-name from Nebraska.
Giuliani can grab a whole lot of conservative/middle-roader democrats who voted for Gore. He could probably carry California. So before the Rudi-haters go off and hide in their caves for the next presidential cycle. I'd at least learn something first.
Justshutupandtakeit did not post it. I DID! And I will continue to post the news on any candidate who wants to and is thinking of running for office in 2008 Rudy included. If the Admin moderators agree with you and don't want me to post this stuff then they will tell me so and I will listen to them because this is their site. They are the ones who make the rules! If anyone else finds this post offensive to their sensitive noses then I am sorry and apologize to them. But I think a good debate/discussion on Rudy's bad and good points is not a bad thing. But then again that is just my opinion.
I'm just reporting what the dumb polls are saying now (Rasmussen, etc). I'm sure things will change when more people say they are definitely running.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.