Posted on 01/24/2007 8:21:42 AM PST by areafiftyone
SARASOTA - After the two terrorist-flown airplanes struck the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001, then-New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani became known internationally for his effective leadership.
Giuliani was in town Tuesday to talk about that leadership as part of the Town Hall 2007 lecture series presented by the Ringling School Library Association.
He used his book, "Leadership," which he called a guide to becoming a more effective leader, as the basis for the talk.
Before speaking to the packed house of about 1,600 at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, he was asked how he would rate the leadership qualities of President Bush.
"I'm a big supporter of the president," Giuliani said. "He has the quality of setting goals and sticking to them."
He said Bush made the biggest decision of his presidency after the attacks, "to go on the offensive against terrorism," and said going to Iraq was part of that strategy.
"Whether you agree with being in Iraq or not," said Giuliani, a potential Republican candidate for president, "we're there now and a precipitous withdrawal would be a terrible victory for terrorism."
The former mayor and federal prosecutor responded to a question about the 13th Congressional District elections in Sarasota County between Republican candidate Vern Buchanan and Democrat Christine Jennings.
He said it "seemed like Vern won the election," but acknowledged it's hard to explain why people would not vote in a particular race, creating the contested 18,000 undervote.
When told people were wondering about his plans for being on the ballot for the 2008 presidential election, Giuliani said, "I am, too."
He said he has established an exploratory committee, the first step in finding out if there would be support for his candidacy.
During his hourlong speech, Giuliani outlined his six principles of becoming a good leader.
"We learn how to be leaders," he said, explaining how lessons learned during his life helped him run New York City, especially dealing with the personal experience of having prostate cancer.
"You try to relate how to run a business, government or organization with how to deal with a crisis in life," he said, engaging the audience as he walked around the large stage and emphasized his points with hand gestures.
The first of his principles of good leadership was to have a set of beliefs.
"Too many politicians make decisions based on opinion polls," said the popular politician. "They do that to reflect what you think."
He said that was the opposite of leadership. "That's not a leader," he said. "That's an actor."
Expounding on the other principles, Giuliani would illustrate his point with stories of his life.
When talking about the importance of having good communication skills to be a good leader, he said he remembers a lesson from his father.
His father told him attending weddings was optional, but funerals were mandatory, Giuliani said.
"People need more at funerals," he said. "If I was there for them when they needed help, they will be there when I need help."
Giuliani tenets
The six principles Rudy Giuliani said are necessary to make a good leader:
• You have to have a set of beliefs.
• You have to be an optimist.
• You have to have courage.
• You have to take risks, but prepare for them.
• You have to develop teamwork.
• You have to communicate.
Former NYC mayor lays down leadership law in Sarasota stop
You are so right. These people have gone over the edge. I have to wonder how many of them are actually Republicans who vote all the time because I don't see any of us saying we are going to stay home and not vote. They remind me of the a combination of Keyes/Buchanan/Perot people.
They have to be out of touch to go after Rudy on dressing up like a woman because I have seen that for years at different events to raise money for charity and it is all done in fun. Watching guys walk in heels is hilarious. Miss BHS at at a high school my kids went to was guys from the football team dressed up as girls. Guess they will never be able to run for President either! :)
You won't support "Rino Rudy" but you will support (and voted for) Kinky Friedman for Texas Governor?
Why?
My concern is that most of his stated principles are anathema to principled conservatives.
Milken was basically run through the wringer for being an extremely smart, shrewd financier who found -- and took advantage of -- many loopholes in SEC regulations governing the bond market.
A good way to make this point would be to find a typical person with an informal understanding of the case and ask him/her what crimes Milken committed. The lack of a clear answer on this is very telling.
If that's the case that is something he will have to overcome IF he decides to run. It's as simple as that. Let's see what he does when confronted with that - if he has changed at all on some issue or is still the same. I'm looking forward to Rudy running and I think he will surprise many social conservatives. I believe in giving everyone a chance. If he doesn't win the nomination then fine - I'll back the person who does win 100%. I've always said that.
I agree and can see you are as much against pandering as I am -- I am tired of the threats of not voting and actually following through and giving the DemocRATs the majority!
As far as I am concerned it is time for all Republican Conservatives to step up to the plate if they want to be part of a coalition that elects the next President. I am supporting Rudy but there isn't a Republican out there I won't vote for over a DemocRAT.
I'm sure that Rudy WOWED everyone who was there and remember, this IS a CONSERVATIVE area!
Rudy, no matter what you might claim, is for a smaller government and CUT N.Y.C,'s government when he was mayor.
He'll NEVER make it out of the primaries and will NOT even be noticed all that much, when he's in it. Nor can he attract enough moderates and Indies to win a general election.
Voting fringe, does only one thing...gives aid and comfort to the DEM!
Rudy WILL win and then you can slink off and join a different forum, so that you can be amongst pals, who do nothing but trash FR and GOPers, elected and civilian.
BRAVO!
You argue that Guliani will make the government significantly smaller and less intrusive? I want you on the record in case he does win.
Several Rudy backers here on FR think that Hunter might have a good shot at the VP slot if Rudy wins, kind of a conservative balance to the ticket. Do you think this is an unrealistic possibility?
I'm sure he did too. I wish I could have been there. But I'm sure He'll be back to NY and I'll be able to see him.
Are YOU willing to state, right now, that IF Hunter is elected president, he will reduce the size of government?
Will it happen? I have no idea. If it did, I wouldn't have a problem with it.
What I DO have a problem with, is people here, who don't understand HOW politics works, those who engage in underhanded posting tactics, those who lie, and those who are just disruptors.
Running in a primary costs a LOT of money. It also takes political backing from BIG GUNS, and a huge, well oiled machine to win a presidential primary. Forget about the MSM...we're talking about GOPers here. :-)
I'm more in the Ron Paul camp. I'm pretty sure he would cut the size of government and veto any unConstitutional bill, yes.
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