Why don't we just cut the crap, and find a real Republican?
Posted on 07/07/2006 7:32:14 AM PDT by 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.
If Bush could get one more Supreme Court nominee, or Rudy pledge to nominate Strict Constructionists, I will be interested to consider him. Heck, I'll consider him anyway, but doubt I will vote for him unless the Supreme Court takeover by conservatives is complete.
If curious as this same bunch keep posting these same pictures. Who cares?
Hard nosed Rudy Giuliani dressed up and poked fun at himself at the city's equivalent of the Gridiron Dinner.
Whether or not you support him, is there anyone except for the two or three who repeatedly post the picture in an attempt to demean him, who think badly of him because he can take a joke?
If Immigration is the most important issue, than Guiliani is the man. But you one-issue abortion people won't let that happen, will you? What's more important to you?
Very true and I think conservatives are extra sensitive now. As you said Bush won on a conservative platform but he has had a few missteps that really concern conservatives.
If abortion is the most important issue, than Guiliani isn't the man. But you one-issue immigration people won't let that happen, will you? What's more important to you?
That will give us another damn democRAT like Clinton in '92....possibly a Hillary Clinton this time. I know it's tough sometimes with these RINO types. But you have got to pick your battles and the choice of third party is essentially voting for and electing a democrat.
I didn't even know he was indicted.
Why don't we just cut the crap, and find a real Republican?
I think I made myself clear. Would you vote for Guiliani?
I think I made myself clear. Would you vote for Guiliani?
>.Lets nominate a conservative and keep it that way.<<
That is the right thing to do.
Now, the smart thing for the Dems to do would be to nominate a moderate but other than Leiberman (who may not even hold his Senate seat, being "too moderate") they don't have a good moderate name to nominate.
I'd vote for Rudy in a heartbeat. The Dems must not take back the White House. Period.
Supreme Court Justices!! Since these last few decisions, it has become my number one issue. All Rudy would have to say is "strict constructionist" and "states issues" on gay marriage and gun control.
(Damn that DeWhine, he has joined the "Brady Campaign".)
Rudy is against Gay Marriage. He believes in marriage between a man and a woman.
"The ONLY reason Bush is president is because he conned the conservatives into believing he was one of them."
What you should be doing, is asking yourself what you are smoking.
GMTA - #24
You "believe" it would be, as do many other folks here. But the truth is that there is very little evidence of any kind to support this.
>>Rudy is against Gay Marriage. He believes in marriage between a man and a woman.<<
"“I’m pro-choice. I’m pro-gay rights,” Giuliani said. He was then asked whether he supports a ban on what critics call partial-birth abortions. “No, I have not supported that, and I don’t see my position on that changing,” he responded."
http://activote.ontheissues.org/Celeb/Rudy_Giuliani_Abortion.htm
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