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
I didn't say we shouldn't deal with moral and economic corruption.
Thank you. Let's keep our eye on the ball. The perfect is the enemy of the good and an ally (often) of THE WORST when it comes to elections.
If you doubt this just look at the elections of the two men whose names popped up earlier in this thread:
a. Klintoon; and
b. Hitler
(Der F. would send me to prison for comparing him to Klintoon and I can't say that I'd blame him.)
P.S. I have had about enough of the GD-MF "holier-than-though" SOBs. Was married to one for 10 years, and she was (in her own words) 'the only real Christian', but in my experience the biggest HYPOCRITE I have ever had the misfortune to know.
So, although I have always voted the same as you, if you are a fanatical "one issue" voter, I have two words for you: "F.U."
Oh, and if you start spouting off about the Almighty (a sure sign that you have NO WINNING ARGUMENT to make), then you might want to give me your private email, and I will do my best to hook you up with my ex., because she alone has an open line to the Almighty and knows His Will better than He does. (But beware - if you disagree with her on anything, she has a mean roundhouse right).
P.P.S. I have nothing against you if you plan to vote for someone other than Rudy in the primaries; I myself like George Allen and will probably vote for him if he runs.
*BUT*
Please DO NOT DEMONIZE Giuliani, because if he wins the nomination he will have the task of defeating "Stalin in a dress".
P.P.P.S. REMEMBER THE GIPPER'S 11TH COMMANDMENT YE INFIDELS!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am *OUT*
Sorry.......I don't "associate" with gun-grabbers, faggots or abortionists. You not only associate with them....you vote for them too. Pathetic.
REMEMBER THE GIPPER'S 11TH COMMANDMENT YE INFIDELS!!!!!!!!!!!!
He was a prosecutor, he knew how to spot good cops.
LOL That's a cute story!
If the pro-lifers who got these "conservative Republicans" control of the Presidency, HOR, Senate, and now some Supreme Court justices can't get the pro-life crowd what was promised (overturn Roe vs. Wade), then the Republicans might as well go with RudyG. I would think most pro-lifers will be too disgusted to vote Republican again, anyway.
Until, of course they're convinced that RudyG is bad for their cause, but better than the evil Dem alternative.
Hey, don't laugh: that stuff still freaks me out!
That and 'women' with deep voices who need a shave who hang around 10th avenue in the 40s! Hmmm..... ;-)
What a terrific story.
Oh, and Port Authority freaks me out a bit, too! :-)
I suggest all the pro-life single issue people here take a look at George Allen's position on abortion - specifically for adult women in the first 10 weeks. if that disqualifies Allen also in their minds, who's left?
Now I"m getting creeped out. But I can see Port Authority creeping Hitman out. That place is the dregs of the earth!
Yes, people from New Jersey go through there.
Right after 9/11 I went by Port Authority and there was a young soldier with an M-16 standing post outside with two cops. It struck me as kind of a strange arrangement, so I went up to the cops and said, "I know what he's doing, but what are you guys doing?" And the cop said, "We're protecting that gun. We can't have him getting jumped out here for the gun."
LOL Only in New York!
I've taken a bus to Atlantic City from Port Authority and the people that go in that place will make your skin crawl.
Well, I'm off for now. Nite ya'all.
You're not in a hurricane, the weather is nice.
You're not in a damaged area, you're in a nicely built parking garage walking to your car.
You, however, have two adult males walking toward you.
Now, who do you want as president? An anti-gun RINO who disarmed you with more gun laws or a legislator who supports the Second Amendment?
Remember, without the means to protect yourself, you have nothing. No car, no wallet and in the next few minutes, the end of your life.
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