Giuliani's Convictions Could Win Over Republicans

DMN/ vis Real Clear Politics ^ | July 7, 2006 | Mark Davis

[chiller]

Twenty-eight months to go, and I can't wait.

( edit )

Since Condi insists she isn't interested - and for the moment I believe her - speculation ranges from base-pleasing Republicans like Sens. Bill Frist, Sam Brownback and my current favorite, George Allen, to the intriguing prospects of envelope-pushers like John McCain and Rudy Giuliani.

And these two intriguing figures constitute my point of the day. There are two things I have stopped saying: first, Mr. McCain can't win, and second, Rudy won't run.

I still don't believe Mr. McCain will be the '08 nominee, but his loyal support for the war has healed some distaste that the GOP base has had for him since he challenged Mr. Bush six years ago. His disconnect with many Republicans on overhauling campaign finance is still an anvil around his prospects, but I can no longer write him off.

As for Mr. Giuliani, I used to say that he won't run and couldn't win if he did. The gay-friendly, abortion-rights-supporting ex-New York mayor whose legacy includes an embrace of gun control? It would seem highly unlikely.

Unless you were in a room with me at the Hotel Crescent Court last month as the Dallas County Republican Party welcomed Mr. Giuliani to a fundraiser also heralding local congressional candidates.

I served as master of ceremonies, and there was a thoroughly polite welcome for the GOP primary survivors who will try to unseat Reps. Eddie Bernice Johnson and Chet Edwards.

But it was Mr. Giuliani who put a room of Reagan-loving red-staters into a positive swoon.

He did it with steadfast support for the Bush war doctrine, coupled with a passion for tight borders that even the still-admired incumbent cannot muster. He did it with strong fiscal conservatism, another Bush weakness. And he did it with a passionate pitch for school choice, an issue Republicans have neglected - mysteriously, since scads of Republicans and Democrats want it.

His content was great. His style was even better. His sharp wit and off-the-cuff comfort are miles beyond the average glazed, scripted politician. He sports a good-natured partisan streak that puts him a head above Mr. McCain, who seems to gag on any sentence suggesting that a Democrat might be wrong.

This is not my prediction that Mr. Giuliani's hand will rest on a Bible at the swearing-in on Jan. 20, 2009. But the Bible-embracing core of the GOP shows a willingness to consider him as he includes evangelical groups in his curious tour of various Republican constituencies.

He will not launch a national gun grab, leaving gun statutes to the cities. He will not push for nationwide gay marriage, happy to leave those decisions to the states, where the Constitution says they belong. He will not pound the bully pulpit for affirmative action, leaving that to the courts.

And speaking of the courts, he speaks glowingly of Mr. Bush's Supreme Court selections, Samuel Alito and John Roberts, suggesting he does not necessarily dream of packing the court with sure-fire abortion-rights opponents.

Throw in the tasty imagery of the Mayor of America wiping the debate stage floor with Mrs. Clinton or virtually anyone else, and it's the kind of thing to make a Republican heart quicken.

I don't know yet whether I can be a Rudy voter, but I'd enjoy watching him try to make me one.

Mark Davis is a columnist for the Dallas Morning News. The Mark Davis Show is heard weekdays nationwide on the ABC Radio Network. His e-mail address is mdavis@wbap.com.

[chiller]

Your concerns mirror mine exactly. Conservatives in the House and Senate would temper any moves left, but jeez, I'd hate to undo the gains on the Supreme Court.

I'm re-thinking....The Senate would let almost anybody on the court, coming from Rudy, I suppose.

[PzLdr]

If the author believes Rudy Guiliani will let anybody run anything, he's crazy. Rudy is the poster boy for anal compulsive.

As Mayor, he got rid of subordinates who got too much favorable ink. He took credit for other people's accomplishments. As U.S Attorney, he grandstanded on Wall Street arrests [loved perp walks], and delivered few convictions. The job he did on 9/11 saved his career and reputation. He IS anti gun,pro gay and pro abortion. That means he won't use the bully pulpit to protect your 2d Amendment rights, the sanctity of marriage, nor the lives of the unborn. That may result, aside from giving the Federal Courts even MORE power over our lives and society, the conundrum of open season on the unborn in the blue states, while they're protected in the red states - until the inevitable lawsuits start. You think Rudy's gonna pick conservative judges? On crime, sure. On everything else, dream on.

Rudy for Pres. Be careful what you wish for.

[PzLdr]

If the author believes Rudy Guiliani will let anybody run anything, he's crazy. Rudy is the posterboy for anal compulsive.

As Mayor, he got rid of subordinates who got too much favorable ink. He took credit for other people's accomplishments. As U.S Attorney, he grandstanded on Wall Street arrests [loved perp walks], and delivered few convicitions. The job he did on 9/11 saved his career and reputation. He IS anti gun,pro gay and pro abortion. That means he won't use the bully pulpit to protect your 2d Amendment rights, the sanctity of marriage, nor the lives of the unborn. That may result, aside from giving the Federal Courts even MORE power over our lives and society, the conundrum of open season on the unborn in the blue states, while they're protected in the red states - until the inevitable lawsuits start. You think Rudy's gonna pick conservative judges? On crime, sure. On everything else, dream on.

Rudy for Prez? Be careful what you wish for.

[gondramB]

>>Giuliani's Convictions Could Win Over Republicans <<

Has he been convicted of something?

[SmoothTalker]

He is pro-gay, pro gun control and anti-life. I don't want him.

[chiller]

....some really good weed, man....

[Liz]

According to the article, Rudy won't push for gay marriage, won't push for gun control, and won't push for affirmative action.

"Do tell Rudolfo.....but you've already grabbed guns, allowed unfettered abortion-on-demand, and advanced the gay agenda, as Mayor."

Rudolfo is a complete imbecile if he thinks Repubs will ignore his track record.

As the presidency beckons this power-hungry con man, he thinks he can flim-flam his way into the WH.

He is pathetically in denial. He should forget the presidency, and get psychiatric care.

[chiller]

Allen is steady, but not dynamic. Rudy is that in spades.

[jla]

Has he been convicted of something?

Yes, impersonating a conservative.

[Blackirish]

Allen ain't ready for prime time. He's been embarrassingly inarticulate on his recent Sunday appearances. Also has have a lousy record to run on....he has been a fiscal liberal since becoming a senator and has been a promoter of a "virtual fence" on the border. Please not another inarticulate big spender.

Guliani on the other hand can actually articulate the positives of a smaller government....combined with his get tough on borders....vouchers...WOT.

If you think he's riding high in the polls now wait till he really starts running.

[Truth-The Anti Spin]

So who? Who in this election really represents the conservative agenda?

[proudpapa]

WOT is very important but so are judges. In the next five years there will probably be 2-4 new judges on the Supreme Court.

When it comes to judges,I don't trust Guiliani or McCain or Mittens.

Allen-Rice in '08

OR

Allen-Coleman in '08

[Sabramerican]

Do you believe the President?

I saw a snippet this morning of his interview with Larry King (a snippent is all I can take of King). He said the "War on Terror" is the defining issue of our time.

I agree with the author, in fact I have written it here long before him, Giuliani will be status quo on guns and appoint Justices like Alieto and Roberts.

I will add that unlike his role as Mayor which required ignoring illegals, this law and order fanatic will be the toughest on illegal immigration.

But if the President is right, and he is, that the defining issue of the day, and decade to come, is what falls under the umbrella of terrorism, is there anyone who can shine Giuliani's shoes in that endeavor. And that endeavor doesn't just include the fight against the enemy. It included the fight against our "friends" in the EU, UN, elsewhere.

[You Dirty Rats]

Rudy is IMHO the strongest candidate the Republicans could nominate.

If I was a Republican Congressman or Senator in a non-safe seat, Rudy at the top of the ticket would be what I would want to see.

I prefer Rudy to McCain, and I don't see any other Republicans out there with enough name recognition and fund-raising ability to win the nomination and the general election. The conservative names bandied about are all, nationally, lightweights.

[Alberta's Child]

. . . combined with his get tough on borders . . .

I see. Like his arrogant, open violation of the 1996 Federal law that made it illegal for cities like New York to enact "sanctuary" policies for illegal aliens?

[Beagle8U]

"Rudy is a non starter. Too NY for the USA.
McCain is Hitlary lite."

We need to be unifying behind George Allen and put this McCain/ Julie-Annie nonsense to rest.

I have yet to see anyone present a more conservative candidate, that wants to run, that is electable, than George Allen.

Allen is electable and has no issues that will make the base barf.

If I could just pick someone with no interest in running and bypass the primaries, my choice would be Brit Hume!!

Unfortunately it doesn't work that way.

I'll stick with Allen, he will run and win!

[jla]

| |

Feature

Three’s Company

Picking Up After Rudy

• By Jed Heyman

Even pitched as a sitcom, it would seem farfetched: Marital problems force the Republican mayor of New York out of Gracie Mansion and into the apartment of a gay friend and his life partner. That’s what happened when Rudy Giuliani moved into the 57th Street apartment of longtime friend Howard Koeppel and his partner, Mark. Queens native Koeppel, owner of a string of car-dealerships, spoke to Jed Heyman about his friend’s plans for 2008 and aversion to “doggy talk.”

Jed Heyman What was your day like with Rudy in the house?
Howard Koeppel Mark made breakfast for all three of us. We had orange juice and different kinds of cold cereal in Lactaid milk, because that’s all I buy. When he lived in Gracie Mansion, he never had breakfast—he was always on the run—but we insisted that he had breakfast. He had staff meetings every morning very early. He had to be out of the house by 7:30 a.m., and I had to help him pick out his ties. He’d come out with two or three ties and ask, “What tie looks better with this suit?” I would say, “I think that this tie would be better,” and he’d say, “Well, I guess if you think so, then I think so.” It was kind of cute. The guy would trust me enough to pick out his ties.

Was he a good roommate?
Sure. He used to make his own bed. I’m not telling you how well he made it, though. I’m not sure he had ever made a bed before in his life. The only thing we didn’t agree with was how he would squeeze the toothpaste from the middle—that would drive me crazy. I should have gotten him his own toothpaste, really. That was the only annoying thing he would do.

How did he get along with your dog?
For the first month, I don’t think Bonnie cared for him very much. Every morning, he’d come out and Bonnie would grab the cuff of his pants and start tugging back and forth. I said to Rudy, “Look, if you want to get along with Bonnie, you’re going to have to talk doggy talk. You have to bend over and pet her and say ‘Goo-girl, goo-girl.’ ” And he asked, “Why can’t I say good girl?” I said, “Because that’s not what she likes,” and we got him talking doggy talk.

Do you think he’s going to run for president in 2008?
I hope he does. I’d vote for him. Aside from being so bright and so worldly, he’s so honest. I’ve never met a person more upright. I think this country needs somebody like that, to be honest with the country. We’ve had presidents in office lately who haven’t been.I’m talking about the last two. And I don’t think Rudy would do that.

Do you think his political ambitions are affecting his performance at the convention?
If he doesn’t support the party, it wouldn’t support him. Now, does he want to be president? I can probably tell you, “Yeah.”

Find this article at:
http://www.nymag.com/nymetro/news/rnc/9728/index.html

[bert]

Please recall if you will the TV program Hill Street Blues. The NY cop program depicted life at the Hillstree pricint and a city that was out of control. Gangs and criminals roamed the streets and the cops were barely able to cope. The city was filthy and in decay. The budget was busted and there was talk of federal control of a bankrupt city.

Then Rudy was elected. He had prosecuted the worst of the worst. He seriously hurt the Mafia. He as mayor ended the decline of NYC and brought it back into the fold of places you could go without fearing for your life. He overcame the leftists and started a new course.

Liberal or not he has a record that no other can match. We could do much worse.

[Liz]

Rudy is the posterboy for anal compulsive.

As Mayor, he got rid of subordinates who got too much favorable ink. He took credit for other people's accomplishments. As U.S Attorney, he grandstanded on Wall Street arrests [loved perp walks], and delivered few convictions.

He IS anti gun,pro gay and pro abortion. That means he won't use the bully pulpit to protect your 2d Amendment rights, the sanctity of marriage, nor the lives of the unborn. That may result, aside from giving the Federal Courts even MORE power over our lives and society, the conundrum of open season on the unborn in the blue states, while they're protected in the red states - until the inevitable lawsuits start.

You think Rudy's gonna pick conservative judges? On crime, sure. On everything else, dream on.

Standing ovation..........bravo.

[Alberta's Child]

He said the "War on Terror" is the defining issue of our time.

He sure doesn't act like it is. Spending billions of dollars on stupid Federal entitlement programs and allowing nearly unfettered access into this country across our southern border (nearly five years after 9/11, mind you) -- sure doesn't make it sound like the "war on terror" is much of a priority here in the U.S.