Conservatives target Rudy

Newsday ^ | Feb 8 2007 | CRAIG GORDON

[Reagan Man]

WASHINGTON -- Eager to head off Rudolph Giuliani's recent gains in the polls, conservative activists this week strengthened their attacks, with some promising to step up their efforts on the Internet, talk radio and "below-the-radar" to discredit him going forward.

They are taking direct aim at one of Giuliani's strongest selling points, at least to some backers -- that he is the Republicans' best hope of stopping Hillary Rodham Clinton.

These critics argue that his nomination would prompt a conservative third-party candidate to join the race and split the GOP vote, clearing the way for Clinton's election.

"There's no way conservatives could stand for Giuliani becoming the Republican nominee," said Richard Viguerie, one of the founders of the modern conservative movement. "I guarantee whoever the Democrats nominate would be the next president."

~ship~

He backed off his earlier opposition to a ban on the medical procedure referred to as partial-birth abortion, and expressed support for gun owners' Second Amendment rights, even though as New York mayor he sued gun manufacturers and argued that more guns lead to more crime.

~snip~

So social conservatives -- for whom Giuliani's support for abortion rights, gun control and gay unions are anathema -- are speaking out. Some say they would use the tools at their disposal to tell voters about Giuliani's social stances.

Viguerie, a direct-mail pioneer, argued it no longer takes millions of mailings to make the case, thanks to talk radio, the Internet and other "below-the-radar" media.

Tony Perkins, head of the conservative Family Research Council, told a conservative radio host that Giuliani's positions are "far outside the mainstream of conservative thought ... Once people focus on this election and the candidates, Giuliani's lead will diminish."

[upsdriver]

I see, in other words, us "purists" are just trying to save the party from making a huge mistake. Not nominating Rudy would be a "purely" sensible thing to do! Thanks, EV, we just might save some lives! purely speaking

[You Dirty Rats]

Nicely done.

I am starting to believe that some of the same people that use the term "RINO" to describe lifelong Republicans who don't fit their narrow definition of Republicanism would actually prefer a Hillary victory over a Giuliani victory.

They are happy to be in a broad party like the Republican Party so long as nobody dare question their unlimited right to dictate how everyone must think. People who stray outside the limits are treated like heretics.

They are the Terrell Owenses of politics.

[nopardons]

Not really, but you are allowed to have an opinion on that, as I am.

[TAdams8591]

My money's on Mitt.

[MadIvan]

I'm sorry, but this is not a gentleman's disagreement we're talking here. If one reads the threads here, the sheer hatred and bile is out of control. It's important to have a spirited primary debate, but what is happening is that bridges are being burned that cannot be repaired. I hope that what we're seeing here is not representative of the Republican Party as a whole, but the sum result if this behaviour continues is that the party will be fractured. The Democrats, in contrast, are united by their will to power - this may be good enough to help them defeat a fractured party.

Ivan

[Blackirish]

Ivan....

With the front loaded primaries it will be Rudy possibly Romney.

The long knives will be out for McCaine.

[nopardons]

No,dear, that's your MO.

[TAdams8591]

LOL, good one! : )

[EternalVigilance]

I have zero intention of wasting words on you

Interesting, since I see you wrote a fairly large amount in response...

[SoCalPol]

Rudy a nice guy but will not be nominated
Who ever ends up as the Republican candidate, I will vote for, but for sure Rudy or Mitt will not be nominated
Watch and listen to Hunter in the debates.

[BonnieJ]

You were here prior to and during the 2000 primaries and election, was it this divided then? Did they hate George Bush as much as they hate Rudy Guiliani? Who was their favored candidate then? And by "they" I of course mean the so-called purists who condemn most of the rest of us who have opinions beyond their narrow range of acceptability.

[EternalVigilance]

The "unrealistic" wing sat at home in 2006.

It's a myth, perpetrated by liberals who want to destroy conservatism in the GOP. Sorry you didn't get the word over the water.

[TAdams8591]

"the sheer hatred and bile is out of control"

I don't disagree.

[MadIvan]

It's written for others. I have sincere doubts you've changed your mind on anything since at least the Nixon Administration.

Ivan

[EternalVigilance]

How is Speaker Pelosi working out for you?

Horribly. It's too bad the RINOS blew it so badly.

[Reagan Man]

>>>>How is Speaker Pelosi working out for you?

Not good at all. And I blame Pres Bush the most for Pelosi being in power today. Old Dubya found out what happens to Republicans who ignore their conservative base. But Rudy isn't the answer to the GOP`s problems. Going further leftward, towards more liberalism, will only compound the GOP`s troubles.

[EternalVigilance]

Now, you can either persist in ignoring what experience tells you, which is an un-conservative thing to do - or you can prevent a power mad harpy like Hillary or a neophyte like Obama taking control.

Oh, I will. But it won't be by listening to your advice.

[nopardons]

He's also a protectionist, but they don't care at all. He has absolutely NO chance of winning, so they LOVE him.

[Halgr]

Great Info....Thanks

Scratch Rudy off my list....

I sure Hope Duncan Hunter gets up to bat!!!

[Blackirish]

Hunten dunken ...a backbench big spending congrescritter has as much chance as taking on Rudy or Romney as Custer's Bugler.

Even less of taking on Hillary.

Jeeez wake up!