Posted on 04/27/2006 4:44:25 PM PDT by Aussie Dasher
One is "America's Mayor," the other is the nation's senior governor.
But ask conservative activist Phyllis Schlafly what chance either Rudolph Giuliani or George Pataki has of capturing the 2008 Republican presidential nomination and her answer comes quickly:
"Not much," Schlafly said. "I don't think Giuliani or Pataki will resonate with grass-roots Republicans or Midwest Republicans. They are SO New York."
Schlafly's out-of-hand dismissal of the former New York city mayor and the three-term New York governor mirrors what pollsters and pundits contend: Giuliani and Pataki, supporters of abortion and gay rights as well as tough gun control laws, are too liberal for the conservative Republicans who tend to dominate the presidential primaries.
To quote a New Yorker, "Fuhgetaboutit."
That reality has not deterred Giuliani or Pataki. Both are exploring possible bids and making the necessary rounds of the early voting states.
Pataki, who decided not to seek a fourth term this year, planned stops in New Hampshire on Thursday and Friday. He is to give the keynote address at Delaware's state GOP convention on Saturday.
Giuliani travels to Iowa on Monday to help Rep. Jim Nussle's campaign for governor and will deliver a motivational speech in Des Moines. The next day, the former mayor headlines a National Republican Senatorial Committee fundraiser in Washington.
Both have carefully crafted story lines: Giuliani, the resolute leader in the face of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001; Pataki, the Republican who won three terms in an overwhelmingly Democratic state. Omitted from the biographies is any mention of their longtime policies.
"When was the last time Republicans nominated a pro-abortion, pro-gay rights Northeasterner with an iffy record on taxes and spending?" asked Nelson Warfield, an aide to Bob Dole's failed 1996 Republican presidential campaign. "That's the hurdle both Giuliani and Pataki face."
Abortion is the critical issue for both.
"The battle has been fought at Republican National Conventions over a long time," said Schlafly, who has been to every GOP convention since 1952. "It's a done deal for the Republican Party."
Other Republicans argue that the Sept. 11 legacy will resonate.
"They both have great, proven records in leading New York through some very difficult times, which New Hampshire voters appreciate," said Jayne Millerick, a former Granite State GOP chairwoman.
Independent pollster Lee Miringoff said if Giuliani and Pataki decide to seek national office, they eventually will have to deal with the "litmus issues."
"It's a question of whether they can effectively make counter arguments. I assume they will talk about their values and what their vision of the Republican Party is," said Miringoff, head of Marist College's Institute for Public Opinion in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. "I don't think they're in a position to say, 'That's not really what I meant."'
Arguing the former mayor's positions on social issues are well-known, Giuliani adviser Sunny Mindel said the Republican Party "is a big tent and his record stands for itself."
"Rudy is who Rudy is," Mindel said.
Giuliani has been courting the right. He spoke to a Global Pastors Network conference of evangelicals in Florida in January. On May 18, he will headline a fundraiser in Atlanta for Ralph Reed, the former Christian Coalition leader now running for lieutenant governor in Georgia.
The Rev. Jerry Falwell recently said he could not support Giuliani for president because of "irreconcilable differences on life and family and that kind of thing."
Despite the criticism, Giuliani is riding high in national polls that show him and Sen. John McCain of Arizona leading the pack of potential 2008 GOP presidential contenders. Those polls have Pataki as a statistical afterthought.
Schlafly said Republicans across the country will be happy to have Pataki and particularly Giuliani raise money for them, but when it comes to picking a presidential candidate, even the former mayor will be quickly nudged aside.
"He will not be jeered. He will not be hissed," said Chuck Hurley of the Iowa Family Policy Center. "People will say good job, but we can't have you supporting our Supreme Court."
Guns too.
But even with all that, just think how much better Giuliani especially would be on other issues than anyone the Dems might nominate - plus he would get elected. As for guns, abortion, and homosexual rights, what has George Bush done for you lately?
Giuliani understands Islamic Swine, and isn't that really all that matters now?
ML/NJ
I don't care what their personal views are as long as they don't impose a litmus test for judges and they believe in states rights.
Assault Weapons ban is gone isn't it?
Andybody know Rudy's stand on the immigration issue?
Bush has appointed two phenomenal picks to the Supreme Court.
Giuliani...maybe. Pataki?! Don't make me laugh..listening to him is like drinking spoiled milk.
Mitt Romney is doing precisely that on abortion. The question is, is it a genuine change of heart, merely an obligatory gesture to get the nomination, or a little of both?
I have mixed views about Guiliani. He's an outstanding administrator and clearly has courage. But he is so far to the left of the GOP electorate on many issues.
I think that he would be a great U.S. Attorney General.
It really depends on what issues you care about.
Rudy was big on crime. He supported the police force and the prosectors 100%, and made a determined effort to arrest everyone doing anything illegal and send them to jail.
Those urinating in the street or running a red light found themselves spending a week in the lockup.
He put Roberts and Alito on the Supreme Court
What has George Bush done for us lately? Sam Alito is a good start...
Rudy is not the ONLY one who understands moozies.
I'd prefer a prolifer who understands Islamic swine!
what conservatives dont understand is moderate adn indepepdents will flock to Rudy if they stay home.
I can think of a bunch of blues state tha twill g ored if he runs but cant thin of any red state that would go blue (maybe NM)
Rudy would win, NH, ME, CT, NJ, PA..what would he lose to Hillary GA????? I dont think so.
Too bad Rudy isn't more conservative....he is one of the best leaders of our time.
Appointed two conservative Supreme Court justices.
What more can a President do about those issues?
Assault Weapons ban is gone isn't it?
-----
Yes, at the Federal level, but if you live in a socialist-driven, anti-Constitutional state like California, it is still there.
Exactly.
My issues are fiscal responsibility, national security, and reversing the power of the State to infringe on the rights of free men.
Gay marriage? I couldn't care less.
How is that Bush's fault?
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.