[LiveFree99]

Well, I don't live in NY, which is why I keep asking (so far, in vain) for additional examples of Rudy's great leadership during 9/11.

As for your electability argument, I am a conservative and am looking for a conservative to support in the primaries. You can reduce the whole universe of electable Republicans down to McCain and Rudy at this time, but I will not. Do I think that a conservative can defeat Hillary? Absolutely. Do I think it probable? Ask me in 23 months, which is several eons in political time.

BTW, the "too conservative/electability" argument was used by G.H.W. Bush supporters against Reagan in 1980, and it still gladdens my heart remembering how Big Ron crushed Mr. Peanut and Mondale.

[ShawTaylor]

Well, I don't live in NY, which is why I keep asking (so far, in vain) for additional examples of Rudy's great leadership

Read # 66 for starters.
After that you can do an Live.com search for more on what Guiliani did in his time as mayor here.

[StatenIsland]

"...against Reagan in 1980, and it still gladdens my heart remembering how Big Ron crushed Mr. Peanut and Mondale."

Yes, we agree on that. I don't know how we let it slip away, but slip away it did. I just don't think that can be duplicated anymore - there is no true conservative even approaching President Reagan's stature.

And I do hope you're right. If a more conservative candidate emerges and gains the kind of stature the Rudy and McCain now have, all the better.

As to examples of leadership, here's a short list that does not include his 9/11 performance:

1) His smackdown - HARD - of the "Reverend" Al Sharpton in the early days of his Mayoralty. When I saw that, I realized we had elected a real man for the job.

2) His immediate attention to the "quality of life" issues, and his insistence the the NYPD get the job done. For the first time in my life as a NYer, I finally saw a Mayor that looked at the middle class as people to be respected, not disdained.

3) His belief that a big city need not be a crime capital, and his intolerance for law-breaking citizens of ANY AND EVERY stripe.

4) Fiscal policies that made the city business-friendly, and taking NY out of terrible debt - and worse bond ratings.

5) Calling Arafat a murderer; refusing to kowtow to him; THROWING HIM OUT of a reception at Lincoln Center because he, Arafat, was an uninvited interloper.

6) Handing back the check - you know that story.

If you look at the list of NYers who HATED Rudy, you'll know why you have to vote for him.