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 Giulianis 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 Bushs 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. Im not saying Rudy Giuliani will be my choice in the spring of 2008. Im 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 worlds 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
Being a Tri stater, what is the NYC thing?
LOL I can picture him tell Kim Jong Il to go stuff it! He wasn't afraid of Arafat whereas everyone else licked his shoes.
Why not Marty Markowitz? He'd make a heck of a president.
So it's all your fault!
::give me a minute, I'll come up with something!::
YIKES!!! GULP!!!! But he's a NYer from Brooklyn - Oh wait so is Rudy! LOL Oh well we're doomed! doomed!
No name recognition. He would have to spend WAAAAY to much money to gain national recognition.
Rudy already has it. He is a campaign organizer's dream marketing wise.
Okay make it a good one! don't hold back now! LOL
Rudy will probably be the last "real" NYC mayor we get. What's the line out of that movie, Casino? "It was the last time they let guys like us run something that big."
Could be a VERY interesting race.
I voted for W twice. The second time around though, he seems to have the second string in there. His press secretary is an embarrassment. What happened to Rice? I don't think his policies are wrong, but he or someone - besides Rush - must defend them. Nothing. GW will not fire folks who let him down, a nice attribute if your on GW's team, but not good for the country. I.E. Clinton's holdovers at the CIA, FBI and State Dept. Giuliani wouldn't put up with that nonsense. Do your job or your out.
Giuliani or McCain, who can appeal to the middle, are among the very few Republicans who can win the next election.
The way things are now, I'd agree. If Iraq starts evolving in our favor, which it ought, no more CAT 5's for awhile, and oil drops (which I doubt), the political climate should be better for more conservative Republicans. Iraq is the key. JMO.
Marty Markowitz? He knows every restaurant in every small town in this country, no doubt. I would love to hear his State of the Union Address, "....France, now I love their food. Delicious. But they've got nothing on Italy. Anyone from Italy here? Who likes Italian food?"
LOL!
The NYC thing is kinda like that feeling us tri-staters get for the rest of the country... ;)
I'm second generation from a sharecropper family in Calitri.
Marty Markowitz would have to start smaller and run for Mayor of NYC, then work his way up before getting enough name recognition to run a National campaign.
The NYC thing is still going over my head :(
While I realize that reality is not your strong suit perhaps you would be better served by rereading what I posted before you leap with both feet into the briar patch.
Should you do so you should realize that I said nothing about what the "country" wants I was speaking of Hillary's political preferences. It is undeniable that she would prefer to run against a Tom Delay/Tancredo type than a Guiliani. While the latter is infinitely preferable to Her Heiniousness I have not supported his candidacy. I had been leaning toward Sen. Allen until he opened his mouth and made idiotic comments about Cindy Sheehan. Now I am not so sure that he is ready for prime time.
But you are apparently determined to be a dumbass if you believe me to be a RINO or if you believe there is a huge conservative electorate out there. As it stands in REALITY the most conservative president in two decades barely won election and had a huge margin of 2% for re-election. This tells anyone with half a brain cell that a more conservative president would likely have lost. 48% of the electorate are ready to elect a flatout traitor and you bitch about Rudi. Talk about misplaced priorities and inability to recognize the true enemy.
Marty will never leave Brooklyn for Manhattan. I doubt the guy has ever been to Manhattan. He's the Brooklyn Borough president.
But here's the rundown on him. Poor kid. His dad died when he was like 10 or something. He went to work to support his mom and worked his way through school. Got involved in the old time political machine and worked his way up.
Now, here's the thing about Marty that cracks me up and almost makes it worth the while to travel to Brooklyn. He is unable to give a speech without mentioning food. Not only does he mention food, but will run down the menu of nearby restaurants no matter where he is in Brooklyn.
LOL he has a kinda endearing quality about him! I like him!
I believe God expects us to vote for the most righteous candidate and leave the results up to Him, not vote for the lesser of two evils, which is a form of pragmatism (doing that which one believes will "work"). Pragmatism is a secular humanist methodology not a Christian one. We are told by the false teachers that voting for the lesser evil will prevent this or gain us that - it's trying to play God and manipulate the future! Clearly, as with Gideon, David, Jonathan, Jehoshaphat and others attest, we are to honor God in our choices, no matter how long the odds seem, and let Him fight the battles and manipulate the future. When given a choice between two ungodly candidates, my only choice is to vote for a candidate who reflects biblical values, even if that means voting for a third party (which I did in the last election).
With all due respect, being a leader means nothing if that leader is a moral midget - which Rudy is.
Oh, I see.
Pardon my Calitri comment than. I thought you were asking my nationality.
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.