Posted on 11/15/2006 7:40:33 AM PST by goldstategop
Every day, I'm asked whom I'm supporting for President in 2008. I've looked over the potential candidates, and on the Republican side, I believe the best, by far, is Rudy Giuliani, who took the first step toward a run, yesterday, with an exploratory committee.
(On the Democratic side, the best guy who's been talked about as a Presidential contender is Senator Evan Bayh from Indiana, who truly understands the Islamic threat and is a more moderate Democrat--which is why he'll never get the nomination.)
Yes, I'm pro-life and against gay rights, where Giuliani shares neither of my views on these issues. But, to me, the terrorism issue is far more important, #1 on the list. Right now, we have a President who is pro-life, against gay rights, and pretends to be the "Counterterrorism Prez." But, actually, he's done nothing substantive on any of these issues.
Rudy Giuliani: Then-NYC Mayor Had Guts to Stop Yasser Arafat's Stateside Escapades
So, I'll take the guy who I know will have the guts to do what Bush does not. I believe Giuliani is that man. He's proven that time and again, whether it was when he told terror-supporting Saudi Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal to take his $10 million and shove it (right after 9/11) or when he severely restricted Yasser Arafat's travel in New York (kicking him out of a concert).
A man who will do those things vs. Bush PC on Islam is the man we need to run this country. He's probably also the man who can handle the illegal alien problem and actually see to it that something is done about it. Not sure on his position on guest workers, but we'll soon enough find out.
It will be a difficult matter for a pro-choice, pro-gay rights candidate (and, again, I oppose Giuliani on these issues) to get the GOP nomination. We'll see.
So for those who want to know who I'm supporting for Prez, I say, "Viva Rudy." America's Mayor has what it takes to be America's President.
Gutsy Giuliani Tells Saudi Prince Alwaleed Where to Go
Get ready for the attacks from the faux conservatives representing the <2% bloc. Don't you know Rudy is the DEVIL?
Leadership.
Understands America must be defended against Islamofascism.
Tough on crime.
Turned NYC around.
Bitchslaps the media.
The voters put W in. You seem to think GOP voters are gullible. What are you? McCain got over that, can you?
I'm tired of the holier than thou posturing that says only a pure man of the cloth is fit to be president. That is nonsense. Hardly a day goes by but that one of these guys gets caught with some prostitute or making a tearful confession. I've had a bellyfull of that stuff. I want a proven leader.
Post something rational and perhaps you could be effective, in either the convincing or in the ability to let reality convince you.
"Our founders were mostly Deists or atheists."
Citations, please. Contemporaneous preferred.
This blather about someone being "foisted" on us has gotten tiresome. NO ONE is being foisted on us. McCain is spoken of as a candidate because he is still standing. There is nothing unreasonable about speaking of him as a likely candidate. I don't believe he will get the nomination but he in no way is being "foisted" on anyone.
I would like to recommend that Freepers read his book, "Leadership". I didn't agree with everything he has to say, but regarding the concept in the title, Rudy "gets it."
It's a long way to go till 08, and things may change. But so far, I like what I see. He will bear watching. The main thing is, Hillary Clinton must NOT become president. We split our vote with Perot in 92 and 9/11 was the price. Let's not do that again.
The US gov't was founded on and designed to force COMPROMISES. We will probably have to settle for a compromise candidate in 08. He must be able to raise money, to get favorable treatment in the media (who got further empowered in the recent election....ugh) and be a more inspiring speaker and leader than Bush was.
"True believers" will desert the party on this...that is certain. But the rest of the voters will elect a president. It's either going to be Hillary or not. I chose "not." Rudy is one of the few that could beat her.
There is time for a primary and for a debate; the primary is the time to vote one's conscience. However if at the end of that process Rudy does emerge as the winner, I hope that no one here will sit at home on Election Day, particularly if Hillary is the Democrat nominee (as seems likely). The stakes are much too high.
Regards, Ivan
Pence may be a good choice for VP. Steele is not yet ready for Prime Time.
Fine. All you have to do is identify that person. I'll be patiently waiting. Names?
Re#105. By "foist", I of course mean favorable coverage. Last week's votes show how much sway the MSM has with the main of the body politic. Now us news/political junkies, we're another story...
For conservatives, settling on a "compromise" candidate doesn't mean settling for someone who is only "right" on 10%-20% of the issues. Put someone up there who is right on at least 70% of the issues -- instead of over-hyping (without any basis in reality) his competence on that 10%-20% to make it seem like 99% -- before you come back and suggest that I should "compromise" on anything.
"Us" is Americans who have a right to freedom of speech. I see Giuliani as the best of the lot. And I take exception to these religious litmus tests. The Republican Party should never be controlled by religious people who dictate who is pure enough to serve. As I said, "God" will find a way to talk to Rudy if he is selected. Otherwise the good people here who are always throwing their religious views around don't think much of their God who has unlimited power to work his will. Remember Paul of Tarsus. He was persecuting Christians until he was struck blind on the road to Damascus. Why are the purists here of so little faith that they can't believe that Rudy is beyond the reach of "God?"
Total nonsense.
Well, I DO know about Santorum. And he is no longer our Senator from Pennsylvania BECAUSE he has a spine! I think two (2) people are our best hope to beat Hillary & Co. in '08!!
Nancee
I don't understand anyone that says 'if the candidate ain't pro-life, I'm staying home' on election day....especially in the vote for POTUS.
The president passes NO laws and proposes NO laws, he has only veto power over congress.
And, while Rudy may be personally 'pro-choice', I take him at his word more that he is a 'constructionist' and would make that his sole criteria for nominating SC Judges. Rudy has already said that he is highly supportive of Scalia, Roberts and Alito.
If he does this, it doesn't matter what his 'personal' views of abortion are...nor should it matter, as it should be an issue left to the states.
Rudy would not be my first choice at this point, but I'd sure as hell vote for him over ANY Democrat put forth.
I was making the point about leadership qualities. FDR did what he did in spite of his infirmaties.
I have to say I do agree with you on Rudy, even while acknowledging that he does have some good points---it is always a bit much to see the star-making machinery kick into gear at every opportunity, all the buzzwords, and all the catchphrases get minted, bandied about by every "independent" talking head out there, while the entire "universe of discourse" about every conceivable person and issue gets carefully restricted by the media,
who want to keep everything manageable in their own terms.The "America's Mayor" cliche in particular had a pretty early expiration date, probably set by the overzealous Chirac, who one-upped everyone and I believe, called him "the World's Mayor". What bothers me most about him though, is that I cannot shake the feeling, that along with Bernard Kerik, he jumped too quickly into war-profiteering in the wake of 9-11 with all this "security consulting" crap. THat to me is just odious, and dishonourable. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.
"Well, I DO know about Santorum. And he is no longer our Senator from Pennsylvania BECAUSE he has a spine! I think two (2) people are our best hope to beat Hillary & Co. in '08!!
Nancee"
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