Culture Warrior (Don't write off Giuliani's appeal to social conservatives)

Wall Street Journal ^ | Februrary 13, 2007 | BRENDAN MINITER

[RWR8189]

The book on Rudy Giuliani is that he is too liberal on social issues to win the Republican presidential nomination. Tony Perkins, head of the Family Research Council, put it succinctly: "I don't see anyone getting the Republican nomination who is not pro-life and a staunch defender of traditional marriage."

But Mr. Giuliani is running strong in Iowa and New Hampshire polls and leading most national surveys of Republicans. He's charming crowds of conservatives everywhere he goes. So it's worth wondering if Mr. Perkins is missing an undercurrent coursing through conservative politics.

Republicans have just experienced a bruising midterm election defeat. The president is suffering dismal approval ratings, and its erstwhile front-runner for the presidential nomination, Sen. John McCain, made his national reputation as a "maverick." The Giuliani rise evident now may be more than name recognition and residual support from his stalwart leadership following the Sept. 11 attacks. Mr. Giuliani's support may also arise from his having successfully moved an entrenched political culture in New York City, something national Republicans have not been able to do in Washington.

[Jedi Master Pikachu]

If by some odd chance you were not already pinged..... ping.

[babygene]

" How old are you; 3?"

Close... I was born on Feb 29th.

[Jedi Master Pikachu]

This denigrated into a insult arena rather fast......

[nopardons]

I didn't call you a name. Nor have I engaged in constant name calling; though I do give back what is dished out.

The top three are, as we all know, in no particular order, Romney, Rudy, and McCain.

Picking two from the bottom tier is tough. Tancredo and Paul are jokes, so they're immediately out.

Hagel is antiwar/bring home the troops, etc. so he's out.

Huckabee has turned into a nannystater, but not many people know that, so maybe he can be one of the 2.

Hunter is completely unknown, doesn't speak well, is dour, has the charisma of a tree, and is a protectionist. *shrugs* He might be a flash in the pan.

Newt is NOT going to run.

Have I left anyone out?

Oh yes...Condi isn't running, Haley isn't running, Tony Snow isn't running, Rush isn't running, and IF Savage is more than hot air.....he'll be SAVAGED!

Okay, any other names?

[presently no screen name]

You - by saying how someone should get treated for their cancer by 'your standards'.

[nopardons]

No; 13.

How long have you been cancer free?

Congrats on beating it, but why did you make light of it?

[nopardons]

?

[nopardons]

Congrats on beating it!

I suggest that you tell that to babygene, though. He claims to have gone through it, but he's the one who made the cavalier remarks.

[presently no screen name]

Sorry. it applies to post 203.

[babygene]

" How long have you been cancer free?"

Four years and 2 months, but I'm not sure you are ever free of prostate cancer... It'll come back.

[nopardons]

Oh, that's a wonderful day to be born. Are you at all familiar with PINAFORE and the song: A PARADOX ?

[babygene]

"He claims to have gone through it, but he's the one who made the cavalier remarks."

Nothing cavalier about it... If you live long enough, you'll probably get it.

[nopardons]

Thank you; I assumed that it was wrongly posted to me.

[oldenuff2no]

If Rudy came out pro choice, for mom's health issues, and late term only when moms health is at stake he will do OK with most repubs. Where he can't fudge or qualify his statements is on guns. He has to distance himself from his connection of hunting and the second amendment.

The NRA lobby is huge, well funded and active in national elections. This is the big extra push that elected President Bush in the last two elections.
If Rudy has any smarts he will have the NRA write his secondment amendment talking points for him. If Rudy does not have the NRA on his right side he won't have a right side. Rudy has some fences to mend with the gun lobby.

[nopardons]

No, if your prostate was removed, it can't come back. If any cells escaped the prostate wall, you can get cancer some place else, but it won't be prostate cancer.

I hope that you are keeping up with your checkups and not being as cavalier about it, in real life, as you have been on this thread.

[nopardons]

No, as I've already told you, it is impossible for me to ever get it; even if I should live to be over 100.

[RWR8189]

Heh, its always interesting to post a thread, walk away for a few hours and come back to find nearly 300 replies...

[RWR8189]

I might add some folks have gotten pretty creative with their keywords...lol

[presently no screen name]

It was meant for you! Just agreeing why you could make that comment because of your 100% response.

[oldenuff2no]

All I know is as of my last checkup I'm cancer free. How long it stays that way isn't up to me. What is up to me is what I do with those days that I'm allowed.
This is my first thought every morning and when I'm planning my days, weeks, and months. Hunting season are over so I'm teaching kids to shoot archery equipment in a large 4H program. I'm also teaching 4H kids how to obedience train their dogs and we will be working with search dog training next month.
I also pack with horses and mules into the high wild country all over the western US. Arguing politics is just an additional sport for me.