Posted on 02/13/2007 10:41:04 AM PST by meg88
I don't often like to write articles that attack the media. I understand that the bottom line is ratings and I'm comfortable with that. I understand that certain stations have biases and I have no problem with that either. However, for some reason in almost every form of media, Rudy Giuliani is misunderstood.
The common quote from anyone is the media is that he is pro choice, anti gun, pro gay and has been divorced twice, so how the hell is he leading the Republican field? Well, there are two reasons.
The simple reason which I don't want to spend too much time on is name recognition. This early in the race before any ads or debates happen, people say they will vote for the person they know. For the Democrats it is Hillary and for the Republicans it is McCain and Giuliani. The media forgets that most Americans don't know who Joe Biden, Bill Richardson, Dennis Kucinich, Sam Brownback, Mike Huckabee, and Mitt Romney are. Even people that follow politics might not know who the hell Tom Vilsack is. So why would they support someone they don't know?
Back in 2003, a man named Howard Dean barely registered in the polls and Joe Lieberman was the frontrunner! So one reason why Rudy is leading is because he is America's mayor. We all know him from the Yankee games too. Plus, heyyyyyyyyy he's Italian, (In my family that is important).
Now for the complex reason why Rudy is leading, Republicans are not all that socially conservative.
The media is baffled that Republicans aren't upset that he got divorced twice. Look at this top ten list:
1. Nevada 2. Oklahoma 3. Arizona 4. Arkansas 5. Wyoming 6. Idaho 7. Tennessee 8. Florida 9. Alabama 10. Washington
What is this a list of? It is a list of the top ten states with the highest divorce rates in 2002. The first nine all voted for Bush in 2000 and 2004. So yes, while Republicans love heterosexual marriage, they understand that Rudy isn't exactly out of the mainstream for getting a divorce.
Another media mistake is to say he is anti-gun. This is lazy reporting. Basically, Rudy looks at gun control the way Howard Dean did as governor of Vermont. Dr. Dean had an A rating from the NRA as governor, so when the left got mad at him, he argued that Vermont didn't need gun control. Rudy's argument is that local municipalities should decide gun laws and you need more gun control in New York City than in Kansas! It is a conservative position to give power to local governments and out of the hands of the federal government which is what Giuliani is arguing for.
Another media mistake is to say Giuliani is pro gay. He's not pro or anti gay. He believes in some gay rights but not the right to get married. Most social conservatives believe this as well. Rudy's position is in line with Dick Cheney and do you hear social conservatives calling Cheney too liberal? Do you hear anyone calling Dick Cheney too liberal? To my knowledge, which is dubious at best, it was liberals that made a big deal over his gay daughter and his support for civil unions.
On the issue of abortion Giuliani is pro choice. So will this kill him? Not really. Giuliani is personally opposed to abortion but thinks that in certain cases that you shouldn't put a woman in jail for having an abortion. This is a mainstream position. Most Republicans are personally anti-abortion, but if their wife is raped or their twelve year old daughter gets pregnant, the position bends.
Back in college, I hung out with the strongly conservative kids during politics classes, only because it was more fun to argue with liberals. Anyway, we had a discussion on what Bush should do to fill the court seat and we were given three mock candidates. We decided to pick the moderately conservative Latino judge. Why? We wanted to win. We wanted our party to show minorities that we were friendly. Our professor then revealed to us that this mock candidate paid for his daughter's abortion, so maybe it would make sense to choose the staunch conservative judge. Nope, we wanted to win. Maybe Republicans and social conservatives do not want to see Hillary in the White House and know that Rudy is the only one that can bring victory.
The media is also failing to report how anti-tax/small-government Republican voters (not politicians) really are. For instance, our town supervisor would not spend 650 dollars to put Christmas lights on Main Street! That supervisor did not want to waste taxpayer money. (Plus, you would think a Republican would want to spend taxpayer money on celebrating Jesus). This is John McCain's largest liability. John McCain voted against Bush tax cuts twice and against the stupid estate tax. As mayor of NYC, Rudy cut taxes. If there is one issue that unites Republicans is that they hate paying taxes. Even liberal Republicans remain with the Party for this very reason.
The Christian Coalition, the super social conservative group is also very anti-tax. Extending the Bush tax cuts in 2010 is on their priority list of legislative agenda according to their website. How cutting taxes has to do with Jesus is beyond me but again, Republicans HATE taxes.
The failure of George Bush is also leading to Rudy's popularity. Republicans are kind of embarrassed right now. They realize that they don't have the brightest guy in the world right now in office. Republicans also realize that Rudy fixed a broken city and could fix George Bush's broken country.
Rudy is also being an individual without attacking social conservatives. Instead of calling Pat Roberson an agent of intolerance like McCain did, Rudy ignores him and says he likes John Roberts which is all they want to hear anyway as the Christian Coalition's priority is to have as many conservative judges as possible.
The media doesn't get it probably because they don't really talk to average Republican voters or aren't ones themselves. The media covers Pat Robertson more than they cover the average Joe Republican. Besides taxes, there is another thing that unties Republicans even more than social issues, it is a strong leader. The reason why Rudy is winning is that he is anti-tax, a strong leader, pro reducing the scope of the federal government and yes, because he is known by almost everyone
Certainly none which trump those of an existant, breathing person.
Except that Rudy took guns away from long-term NYC permit holders for no fault of their own.
Normalization of the rate means that comparisons among states of differing sizes is appropriate. Now just raw numbers per state should be subject to the criticism you raised.
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: Monday, July 2, 2001 |
Release # 234-01 |
| Contact: | Sunny Mindel/MatthewHiggins | (212) 788-2958 |
| Tom Antenen (NYPD) | (212) 374-6700 | |
| Dave Billig (FDNY) | (718) 999-2056 |
Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani, joined by Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik and Fire Commissioner Thomas Von Essen, today reminded New Yorkers of the dangers of illegal fireworks and warned that the City's crackdown on illegal fireworks, which began in 1995, will continue through the Fourth of July holiday.
In 1995, Mayor Giuliani created the New York City Police Department/Fire Department Fireworks Task Force in an effort to eliminate the trafficking in illegal fireworks in New York City, and to educate New Yorkers about the dangers of fireworks.
"This year's Fourth of July celebrations promise to be as wonderful as ever, as New Yorkers and visitors alike marvel at public fireworks displays throughout the City," the Mayor said. "While most New Yorkers observe our nation's independence safely and leave the fireworks displays to the professionals, every Fourth of July, illegal fireworks cause senseless tragedies. Fireworks are extremely dangerous, even types that some people mistakenly consider harmless, such as sparklers."
The Mayor continued, "Fortunately, fireworks-related injuries have declined by 89 percent and thousands of cases of illegal fireworks have been seized since the creation of the City's Fireworks Task Force in 1995. People interested in selling illegal fireworks in New York City are getting the message: if they do it, they'll be arrested and their fireworks will be confiscated. I wish all New Yorkers a safe and enjoyable Fourth of July."
Police Commissioner Kerik said, "Each year, the Fourth of July holiday is accompanied by tragic stories of New Yorkers - most often children - seriously injured by illegal fireworks. Thanks to the efforts of the Fireworks Task Force, these incidents have been reduced substantially. The NYPD and our partners in the Fire Department will be working around the clock to continue that trend, and with a little cooperation, we can keep the July 4th celebrations in the parks and backyards and away from the emergency rooms."
Fire Commissioner Von Essen said, "Each year thousands of Americans are needlessly injured, maimed or seriously burned as a result of illegal fireworks. However, in New York City, the ongoing enforcement efforts of the Fireworks Task Force have played a crucial role in reducing the number of Fourth of July fires and fireworks-related injuries to record lows."
In 2000, EMS treated 11 serious fireworks-related injuries, an 80 percent decline from 1995 (56 injuries). In fact, since the Task Force was created, the number of fireworks-related injuries has steadily declined every consecutive year. As of June 29th of this year, the Fire Department reported five fireworks-related injuries, an 91 percent decline from 1995.
As of Friday, June 29th, the Police Department has made 11 arrests for selling illegal fireworks this year and has seized 1,663 cases of fireworks, with an approximate street value of more than $3 million. For comparison, the Police Department seized 27,697 cases of fireworks in 1997, reflecting the dwindling supply of illegal fireworks now coming into the City.
New Yorkers with information about illegal fireworks are asked to call the Illegal Fireworks Hotline at 1-800-FIRE-TIP or 1-800-347-3847. All calls will be kept strictly confidential.
www.nyc.gov
Most likely you are speaking of pistols and NYC residents can still own guns. However, Guiliani did not create laws making handguns illegal in any case. Executives must execute the laws enacted.
The vast majority of guns confiscated were those of criminals. The others are regrettable.
Obviously it's a deal-breaker for you, but the fact remains that it is NOT a deal-breaker for most conservatives and 2nd Amendment supporters in the 2008 Presidential election. They will be willing to give Giuliani a pass on this issue because it has receded in urgency.
It would be different if there was a significant danger of Congress passing new anti-gun laws. But (happily) the danger at this time is minimal. Democrats are beginning to look at gun control as another "third rail" of politics. And certainly no gun control measure will get 60 votes in the Senate to break a filibuster.
So most conservatives and Republican primary voters will judge Giuliani on the basis of other issues and other criteria. Giuliani may or may not get the Republican nomination, but the result won't be decided by his position on gun control.
That's the reality, whether you like it or not.
Didn't take a U.S. history or civics class, did we?
Besides, what does THIS comment have to do with gun-grabbing dems and RINOs like rudy taking away, or otherwise infringing upon the rights of ALL citizens, not just criminals?
One of our nations best assets is our ability to no matter what circumstances have an orderly continuance and change of elected government in our election process. Meaning our elections are not disrupted by events. When we start interrupting that orderly process it leaves the door open for abuses.
Yes I would!
1996 - The New York City Police Department and the New York City Fire Department have joined forces to crackdown on the sale and use of illegal fireworks. As of today, a total of 6,800 cases of fireworks have been seized; 64 arrests have been made; six summonses have been issued; 13 vehicles have been seized and two search warrants have been executed. During the course of the Task Force's operations, seven guns and 1340 cartons of untaxed cigarettes have been recovered.
One business has been shut down under the Nuisance Abatement Law for selling fireworks.
2001
As of Friday, June 29th, the Police Department has made 11 arrests for selling illegal fireworks this year and has seized 1,663 cases of fireworks, with an approximate street value of more than $3 million. For comparison, the Police Department seized 27,697 cases of fireworks in 1997, reflecting the dwindling supply of illegal fireworks now coming into the City.
New Yorkers with information about illegal fireworks are asked to call the Illegal Fireworks Hotline at 1-800-FIRE-TIP or 1-800-347-3847. All calls will be kept strictly confidential.
I'm awaiting a non-RINO who understands the nature of Islamic Swine.
We can do better than nominate a RINO for president.
The FACTUAL reasons for shunning RINO-rudy, both big and small, continue to grow, and it is HIS actions and words that are digging his own grave to political obscurity.
It's not too late to support a true conservative so that we can STARKLY CONTRAST our party to the UN-American demonRAT party, NOT parrot them in some misguided attempt to win at all costs (including throwing our principles and convictions down the tubes).
We need to jettison all RINOs and give our full support to anyone of the number of good, ACTUAL conservatives that are throwing their hats in the ring for POTUS.
A nameless, faceless bureaucrat many years ago: "All men, women, and children must report to zee showers, mach schnell!"
"Vee are not concerned with exterminating zee adults, but...
zee 'others are regrettable'".
Ding Ding Ding...we have a winner
Barring Arafat from entry to an affair held at Avery Fisher Hall, and rejecting a large donation to NYC from some Saudi Sheik are two things that come to mind.
ML/NJ
Blah, blah, blah don't give up your day job, a Myron Cohen you are NOT.
We're quite aware that the POTUS shouldn't make laws regarding abortion. We are also aware that he appoints SCOTUS nominees, who have usurped the powers of the legislative branch. We don't trust Rudy to nominate the next Clarence Thomas.
I understand the Constitution better than you as well as the Federalist Papers and the history of the Founding.
Some people don't even know that the Bill of Rights was NEVER intended to cover the states and was routinely violated by state laws.
Some people believe that anything which restricts ANY individual from having ANY weapon at ANY time in ANY place is infringing upon the right of the PEOPLE to keep and bear arms.
But in anycase it was the NY City Council which wrote the laws regarding weapons there not Guiliani.
Wow is that relevant. NOW I hate Rudy too. NOT.
NYC and now the state has become willing subjects answerable to their leaders {Masters}. This is happening even under GOP rule? And some can't seem to figure out why mainstream USA says NO!? I don't want Nanny government managing my life.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.