Posted on 03/25/2006 7:50:52 PM PST by Aussie Dasher
Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani told a crowd of about 3,000 people at Oklahoma State University that he won't contemplate a 2008 presidential bid until after November's elections.
Giuliani, who gained international attention in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, said it's important for the nation's security that Republicans retain control in Congress.
"I want to make sure that I can do everything that I can to help my party hold onto the House and the Senate because I think it's very, very important to continue the effort that we're making against terrorism, to have the commitment that we have in Iraq," Giuliani said during a speech Friday at OSU's Gallagher-Iba Arena.
"After the 2006 election, then I'll think about whether I should run for president, whether it makes sense," he said. "We have a lot of really good candidates, some people who at least are also being talked about as candidates, and some of them are very good friends of mine. So there's a lot of thinking that goes into that, and I probably won't decide something like that until next year."
Giuliani, who was paid $100,000 from OSU student fees for his speech, said it is imperative the United States remain committed to the president's goal of establishing an accountable government in Iraq.
"It's important for our safety and security," he said. "It's the best humane objective and it's critical to establishing more order in the Middle East. But it's critical for our safety and security because ultimately that's the way in which you defeat terrorism.
"You defeat terrorism by creating where you can accountable governments in places that breed terrorism," Giuliani said. "That's how we're going to make our children safe."
Giuliani, 61, said he respected President Bush for remaining consistent to his goals "even when other people have abandoned him."
It's to be expected Bush's approval ratings have dipped as the war enters its fourth year, he said.
"It's very, very difficult to sustain a country through a war," he said.
"When we see people dying, when we see loss of life, every time you see a life is lost you wonder is it worth it, and I think the president has to be the one to keep us focused on the fact that it is worth it," Giuliani said.
He will have the gun grabbing baby killing queer marriage vote.
How? I'd vote for Satan himself if he was running against Hillary.
Consider his likely opponent.
Hillary will get it out for him. She's the third horn of the Beast, it's the common knowledge.
(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")
If he is the GOP nominee (not my choice), half of FReepers will sit home, preferring 8 years of Hillary Clinton as President than voting for Rudy because they disagree with him about (a) abortion, (b) gays, and/or (c) 2nd Amendment rights.
He just plain won't. There are millions of Americans who just plain won't vote for a man whose heroes include racist eugenicist Margaret Sanger.
I'm one of them.
Rudy is NOT pro-choice. He supports killing babies. Same as Hitlery...
This "lesser of two evils" approach to the 2008 elections is wrong. There needs to be a real conservative candidate.
Let him campaign for other candidates, and reward him with a cabinet position that doesn't impact upon social issues.
I agree - but it is hypothetical for now, isn't it?
I felt that Rudy got his props merely by being in the right place at the right time. He sucked balls as a Mayor, as his ego and the protection of it disabled his ability to assay his enemies.
I hope he wears his low cut dress when he announces. Also, he looks better in pink lipstick than in red. :)
I predict that he will swing sharp right on two of those three issues.
What about border security, Mr. Guiliani? The "Republicans" you mentioned are just as traitorous on the issue as the Dems.
Get real. Guiliani won't win jack. Take your wet dream somewhere else.
I agree. Guiliani was a tough-as-nails prosecutor. Attorney General is a no-brainer for him. I don't know why he's even considering running for President. He's just not the Presidential type.
The 2008 race is on: I predict it will draw more voters than any other Presidential contest in history. If there is such a thing as a sociopolitical civil war, this will be it.
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.