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.

[TAdams8591]

"Would you or would you not support Rudy Giuliani if he were the party's nominee? "

I say we cross that bridge when we come to it IF we ever come to it.

[EternalVigilance]

Nopardons, if anyone is an expert on meds around here, it's you.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

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

So Rudy's solid conservative record as NYC Mayor means nothing to you.

You'd rather vote for no-name Congressmen who at the most can only introduce legislation and cross their fingers hoping it'll pass and get signed by the President.

[nopardons]

Since you don't even know what those words mean, I suggest that you get yourself a good dictionary.

[Reagan Man]

Rudy`s backers on FR seldom engage in debate on the facts of his political career and a lifetime of promoting liberal causes and liberal policies. Rudy is doing well in some of the early polling. Okay. No matter what a fwe Rudy-Rooters say, its still early. I caught one of Rudy`s wild-eyed boosters on an old thread from last July 2006. He said then, Rudy had the nomination all but rapped up.

Is all this a case of mass arrogance, mass ignorance, or simply mass stupidity. I know half of Americans don't vote, but I think conservatives have more commonsense then to go off half-cocked promoting a liberal poltiico. Its quite amazing to witness first hand.

[EternalVigilance]

Perhaps. But it would make an interesting litmus test nonetheless. The sheep and the goats are being separated right now. Generous of all the Soros libs to jump out so early and make the cull possible.

[loboinok]

Giuliani is in the process of "re-packaging" himself. I don't and won't trust anyone who has to do that.

[EternalVigilance]

Yes, it is amazing.

BTW, I love your "Rudy-Rooters" appellation for them.

The best one I saw today though was "Rutards."

;-)

[presently no screen name]

Oh, so you're saying that Rudy deliberately kept the Hildabeast alive

No. He was trying to keep himself alive - he had cancer and undergoing treatment. If he had run, I'd say he makes poor choices. He didn't disappoint me. He has his priorities in order.

[Tim Long]

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

Well, Clinton undoubtedly would have continued to nominate leftists, but I agree that they should have voted against them. He would probably have eventually been forced to appoint someone acceptable, although you never know.

Giuliani still wouldn't help matters. I find it interesting that your profile says you only vote conservative, and would consider voting CP. What's exactly is your defintion of conservative?

[TAdams8591]

"The facts are outing Giuliani's supporters as liberals."

I disagree. Some may be Liberals. Others are concerned about the war on terror and want a president who will strongly wage that war. Others are terrified of Hillary and believe Guilianni is the only Republican who can beat her.

[nopardons]

They better say that, or the GOP is going to be VERY unhelpful, when they return to their Congresscritter jobs.

Come on, EV, you know how this works and you're playing games, for your pals here to see.

But the funny thing is, EV, lots of OTHER people see your posts here and they don't help you much.

[nopardons]

The only one who is delusion and living in a fantasy is you. Pity that.....

[EternalVigilance]

Are you openly admitting to antifreeping, nopardons?

[babygene]

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

Perhaps not to you... From my position he is left wing.

[Reagan Man]

LOL Now you're engaging in pure political sophistry. Next we'll be seeing you post out and out psychobabble.

After that, who knows!

[TAdams8591]

I'd love to see Kyl enter the race for the PRESIDENTIAL nomination, but not with Rudy as VP.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

Rudy`s backers on FR seldom engage in debate on the facts of his political career and a lifetime of promoting liberal causes and liberal policies.

Rudy promoted social liberal policies and gun control, yes.

You conveniently ignore the other social issues that Rudy championed, such as public safety and making Times Square suitable for tourists instead of hookers and johns, and speaking out against government dependency.

Yeah I know that doesn't mean much to you regardless of the fact that Rudy faced a hostile NYC media, black activists, and Democrat council. You want a President who can wave a magic wand ending abortion and gun control, it'll never happen so have fun supporting your .001% candidate who'll drop out after getting his ass kicked between Iowa and New Hampshire primaries.

[nopardons]

It's also inaccurate, since Rudy doesn't support "gay marriage; for starters.

[familyop]

"Leftists in NYC used to compare Rudy to Mussolini. Weak minds think alike."

Yes, and higher concentrations of such minds are in our coastal cities and in western Europe--whether the Europe of World War II or contemporary Europe. I don't like the national socialism of old Europe or the US Democrat socialism of now. A choice between the two is not a relevant choice.

And it's very likely that I'm more conservative than you'll ever be.

Gingrich/Duncan