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
Show me where he supports gay marriage.
those gun laws were in place in NYC long before Rudy got there. you talk as if his term as mayor involved some massive "gun roundup" agenda from legal gun owners. nothing like that happened, he simply enforced the gun laws that were on the books to lower the crime rate.
I don't think so Bernie Kerik was investigated BIG TIME by the RUDY HATERS in NYC! Believe me the NY Daily News and the NY Slimes covered it all. They slobbered all over it.
Saw this one coming.
I still think Hildy is going to somehow insert herself to the NY Gov race.
"Could be an interesting race if it were him and hildy going at it in 2008."
Ill be pulling for Clinton to win - Id rather know my enemy than a two faced back stabbing RINO liar like Gulianni. We dont need anymore RINOs. RINOs like Bush and McCain and Gullianni are the reason why the republican base is so pissed off right now - they are spending is out of control, they could care less about the homeland, they support leftest crap like diversity by race, gender and sexual orientatiion (not ideas), etc...
LOL What? who me? Nah! LOL ;-)
Okay, you are a liberal. That explains your position. I am not. There is very little difference of substance between Hillary and Rudy. So, if that's the way the GOP wants to go, then I suggest they stop pretending they are conservative and just merge with the Democrats. That way, we true conservatives can launch our own party.
While you are right that the government cannot force moralilty on people, however, a leader's morals and character quite obviously matter a great deal. Only a moral midget would believe otherwise.
I supported GWB in 2000 and 2004. I vounteered, I traveleed, etc, however, I firmly of the belief that the country can not withstand eight more years of the same as we have had.
Who gives a wit about what the President feels about abortion? Unless you change the laws and minds of the people. Nothing will change as it hasn't for years.
GWB is no different than Kerry would have been save for a few issues. We need conservative fiscally responsible people who come from outside the politcal class. No more Doles, Clintons, Bushes, Kerry's, Gores, enough!
You really think so? You think she's too scared to run for president and lose and maybe thinks she can win as Governor?
I think I just threw up in my mouth a little.
Hillary would need all the voter fraud that was available before in order to win. Yes, there are still areas that need cleaning up but it is NOTHING like before.
She knows she can't win Pres.
Rudy, will be a HARD one to counter. He did do an outstanding job with WTC disaster.
He did a lot of clean up in NYC before 9/11 also.
I'm afraid of who's pocket he is in because of his gun, homo, abortion and animal rights views.
Pointing those issues out in a campaign will discredit the conservatives because the average citizen isn't aware of all the lib payoffs.
Guiliani also endorsed Mario Cuomo for governor in 1994.
good point.
and don't judge what ideals Rudy would bring as president - to positions he had to take as mayor of a very liberal US city. The idea that Rudy would pursue an active agenda of more abortion, 2nd amendment dissolution, and gay marriage laws as president - is ludicrous.
I remember the Dinkin days and New York was flat out a dangerous place to be. It was lawsless.
Rudy was not perfect, but I think maybe he is worth a serious consideration. The best part is that some of these people have no alternitive who can win and are otherwise delusional as to the reality of electoral politics.
>>>LOL What? who me? Nah! LOL ;-)
I had posted this over at our FR Locale. I was bumping your thread but pinging Coleus and Old Friend.
and Ronald Reagan was a member of the Democratic Party years ago.
Changing the hearts and minds of the people would be necessary if this were a direct democracy - which it isn't. Did the liberals change hearts and minds before they found a phanton right of privacy in the Constitution and overturned all State bans on abortion? Nope. In a Republic, the leaders are expected to LEAD and govern righteously as a "representative" of the people, regardless of the consequences or backlash. Bush has failed the test miserably. He says he is a Christian but hardly leads like one. You may not care if 40 million persons have been murdered in 30 years, but God does. Right and wrong may not matter to you, but they matter to Him. He hates the shedding of innocent blood, and unless America stops this hideous practice, this country will be end up on the ash-heap of history. It's already circling the drain...
All I know is that it is going to be a very interesting race this time. Very interesting indeed. The country has changed alot since Bush ran in 2000. Personally I will vote for whomever wins the Republican nomination.
Spitzer has the NY gov position locked up.
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.