Don't Republicans get a choice?
People who live in the Northeast-and especially this city-have a very insular, cloistered view of Rudy Giuliani the politician, and don't seem to grasp the totality of what this man represents.
They focus on the seemingly endless downsides to any presidential campaign, his extensive-and disconcerting-business relationship with Liberal Party boss Ray Harding, his perpetually chaotic personal life, his backflips on Roe v. Wade and the issue of immigration, his temperament-which I actually think is one of his best assets as both a candidate and public servant-his regrettable endorsement of former Governor Mario Cuomo, etc., etc., etc...
What they fail to realize is that this man has a charismatic personality that is rarely seen on the American political landscape, and an appeal to the American public-one that isn't evanescent, but enduring-that transcends any of these other significant character defects or policy failures.
If there is a single person that can outstrip the inherent limitations built into this sort of presidential candidacy-being the occupant of Gracie Mansion isn't exactly a career booster in the world of politics-it is Rudolph Giuliani.
He can defuse the issue of abortion with one simple statement.
Even though I might not be personally pro-life, I believe that Roe V. Wade was wrongly decided, and that the issue of abortion should be returned to the states, and taken out of the hands of unelected jurists.
Even though that would not satisfy voters who believe that the 14th Amendment enshrines the right to life of all Americans in the Constitution, it would help to return this debate back to where it belongs, i.e. the hands of voters themselves, not untouchable, life-tenured judges.