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.

[The Old Hoosier]

Abortion, homosexuality, and gun control laws are still around after 12 years of a Republican Congress.

So the solution is to elect more liberal Republicans, I see.

[loboinok]

Let him run for Hillarys seat

He might as well, there's not a dimes worth of difference between them on ANY issue!

[nopardons]

That's a remark only a political niaf or a propagandxist would make.

A REAL politician, with more principles than you give him credit for, didn't run against her, in '06, because he knew that he was going to run for president.

Hillary lied to New Yorkers, Obama lied the Illinoisans; Rudy didn't lie to anyone.

[presently no screen name]

Giuliani was too afaird he'd lose and look bad if he challenged Clinton

Why say that? There is absolutely no truth in that. 'Guiliani' and 'fear' are as far as the east is from the west.

[nopardons]

It's also false.

[nopardons]

Oh, are you planning on voting for Hillary; or is Obama your favorite?

They are "left wing extremists; Rudy isn't!

[presently no screen name]

Well then, I guess you aren't very well informed.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

Abortion, gun control, and homosexual behavior were all established policies before Rudy, and no matters who's elected elected they'll continue.

Rudy has the money, the name recognition, and the solid executive experience. He is in favor of limiting government and tax cuts while the other Republican candidates favor the failed status quo of spending on liberal entitlement programs and the welfare state that's going to create class divisions and hostilities.

Whatever candidate you're shilling for has a career of keeping a seat warm in Congress who did little to advance both the fiscal and the social conservatism that you want to handcuff Rudy to.

[EternalVigilance]

I propose a new litmus test for the rest of the Republican field: Would you or would you not support Rudy Giuliani if he were the party's nominee? What do you say, Sam and Tom and Tommy and Ron and Mike?

Mitt or John don't count. They've already proven that they're complete political prostitutes, so there's no use even asking.

[Tim Long]

Oh, are you planning on voting for Hillary; or is Obama your favorite? They are "left wing extremists; Rudy isn't!

Wrong. Being a Republican doesn't put you outside the realm of left-wing extremism.

[nopardons]

REALLY?

Hillary is in favor of lowering taxes, cutting the size of government, getting people off welfare, defunding museums who try to show filthy, blasphemous so-called "art", vouchers, adoptions instead of abortion, and fighting a full fledged battle against Islamonazi terrorists, is she?

That's news to me.

[Kryptonite]

The latest poll suggests that Rudy can't even carry his home state.

That's a remarkable fact.

Has anybody within the last century or so ever won who couldn't carry his home state?

[karnage]

I like Giuliani. I am not a liberal.

[Carry_Okie]

A REAL politician, with more principles than you give him credit for, didn't run against her, in '06, because he knew that he was going to run for president.

Oh, so you're saying that Rudy deliberately kept the Hildabeast alive and in position to run for President? You know damned well that her career would be OVER if Rudy had beat her for that Senate seat. According to you, that's TWICE that he's saved her sorry hide, that is, if he'd have beaten her, which is a total fantasy on your part.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

The only plausible way of illegalizing murder is to elect a president who will only appoint anti-Roe justices. So far that has not happened. And somehow I doubt Giuliani will be the one to do so.

Your argument doesn't hold water considering that Republicans in Congress helped confirm pro-abortion Clinton appointees Justices Ginsburg and Breyer by overwhelming margins.

[Irish Eyes]

My dream ticket right now is Giuliani/Kyl.

From your lips to God's ears.

[EternalVigilance]

I like Giuliani. I am not a liberal.

Actions speak louder than words.

Why would a nonliberal inflict a hardcore leftist like Giuliani on the rest of us?

[nopardons]

That's a red herring, if ever there was one and you know it.

And Rudy is Republican!

[nopardons]

Are YOU on them all? :-)

[loboinok]

Well enough to not support liberals!

Issue: Partial Birth Abortion

Giuliani Supports
Clinton Supports
Dem Platform Supports
Rep Platform Opposes
_______________________________________________________

Issue: Abortion on Demand

Giuliani Supports
Clinton Supports
Dem Platform Supports
Rep Platform Opposes
_______________________________________________________

Issue: Roe v. Wade

Giuliani Supports
Clinton Supports
Dem Platform Supports
Rep Platform Opposes
_______________________________________________________

Issue: Taxpayer Funded Abortions

Giuliani Supports
Clinton Supports
Dem Platform Supports
Rep Platform Opposes
_______________________________________________________

Issue: Embryonic Stem Cell Research

Giuliani Supports
Clinton Supports
Dem Platform Supports
Rep Platform Opposes
_______________________________________________________

Issue: Federal Marriage Amendment

Giuliani Opposes
Clinton Opposes
Dem Platform Opposes (defined at state level)
Rep Platform Supports
_______________________________________________________

Issue: Gay Domestic Partnership/Civil Unions

Giuliani Supports
Clinton Supports
Dem Platform Supports
Rep Platform Opposes
_______________________________________________________

Issue: Openly Gay Military

Giuliani Supports
Clinton Supports
Dem Platform Supports
Rep Platform Opposes
_______________________________________________________

Issue: Defense of Marriage Act

Giuliani Opposes
Clinton Opposes
Dem Platform Opposes
Rep Platform Supports
_______________________________________________________

Issue: Amnesty for Illegal Aliens

Giuliani Supports
Clinton Supports
Dem Platform Supports
Rep Platform Opposes
_______________________________________________________

Issue: Special Path to Citizenship for Illegal Aliens

Giuliani Supports
Clinton Supports
Dem Platform Supports
Rep Platform Opposes
_______________________________________________________

Issue: Tough Penalties for Employers of Illegal Aliens

Giuliani Opposes
Clinton Opposes
Dem Platform Opposes
Rep Platform Supports
_______________________________________________________

Issue: Sanctuary Cities/ Ignoring Immigration Law

Giuliani Supports
Clinton Supports
Dem Platform Supports
Rep Platform Opposes
_______________________________________________________

Issue: Protecting 2nd Amendment

Giuliani Opposes
Clinton Opposes
Dem Platform Opposes (supports ban)
Rep Platform Supports
_______________________________________________________

Issue: Confiscating Guns

Giuliani Supports (confiscated as Mayor, even bragged)
Clinton Supports
Dem Platform Supports (supports ban)
Rep Platform
_______________________________________________________

Issue: 'Assault' Weapons Ban

Giuliani Supports
Clinton Supports
Dem Platform Supports
Rep Platform

---

_______________________________________________________

Issue: Frivolous Lawsuits Against Gun Makers

Giuliani Supports (Filed One Himself)
Clinton Supports
Dem Platform

---

Rep Platform Opposes
_______________________________________________________

Issue: Gun Registration/Licenses

Giuliani Supports
Clinton Supports
Dem Platform

---

Rep Platform Opposes
_______________________________________________________

Issue: War in Afghanistan

Giuliani Supports
Clinton Supports (voted for)
Dem Platform Supports
Rep Platform Supports
_______________________________________________________

Issue: War in Iraq

Giuliani Supports
Clinton Weak Support (voted for)
Dem Platform Weak Support
Rep Platform Supports
_______________________________________________________

Issue: Patriot Act

Giuliani Supports
Clinton weak Support (voted for it 2001 & 2006)
Dem Platform Opposes
Rep Platform Supports
_______________________________________________________

"Most of Clinton's policies are very similar to most of mine." - Rudy Giuliani