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American Spectator: Rudy's New Social Conservatism
American Spectator Magazine ^ | 2.15.07 | Jennifer Rubin

Posted on 02/15/2007 10:12:09 AM PST by meg88

Pundits of all political persuasions have been chattering about whether Rudy Giuliani, whose name is invariably modified by the description "social liberal," can overcome the objections of many religious conservatives to win the Republican nomination.

Will his assurances to appoint judges in the mold of Roberts, Alito and Scalia be "enough" to put their concerns to rest? Will conservatives overlook social issues in an election focusing largely on foreign policy?

The more interesting question is whether Giuliani can establish a new description of what it means to be "socially conservative." Perhaps to be socially conservative means something more than just fidelity to pro-life and anti-gay marriage positions.

Giuliani has a convincing argument that he is an ethical or cultural conservative who in the end will protect the values that most conservative Republicans hold dear.

What does this mean? It means that he sees the world as a battle between good and evil, and politics as a struggle between decent hard working people and elites who have too little respect for their values -- public safety, respect for religion and public virtue.

His world view is not one of multi-culturalism or moral relativism. He shows no empathy for bullies -- be they Mafia bosses or Al Sharpton. Giuliani, of course, first rose to public prominence by fighting the largest bully he could find: the Mob. Time magazine called his prosecution in 1985 of 11 Mafia leaders the "Case of Cases" and quoted his declared intention to "wipe out the five families."

For him, it is all about who is good and who is not, regardless of whose feathers he might ruffle.

Liberal sympathy for the plight of the Palestinians and diplomatic niceties did not prevent him from tossing Yasser Arafat (with great delight) from Lincoln Center.

(Excerpt) Read more at spectator.org ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Editorial; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: beatitliberal; conman; electionpresident; giuliani; giuliani2008; phony; pseudocon; rudy
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To: Hydroshock
This is getting tiring. Alot of new members that suddenly show up screaming "RUDY IS THE CHOSEN ONE!".

If this is the future of the conservative movement and the GOP, then the Republic is in dire peril.
121 posted on 02/15/2007 11:57:02 AM PST by redgolum ("God is dead" -- Nietzsche. "Nietzsche is dead" -- God.)
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To: madprof98
I think even they see he can beat Hillary.

The only cause that really matters, apparently.

And past history apparently doesn't matter either. Rudy, running as the mayor of NYC, couldn't even outpoll a Carpetbagger for the NY Senate race in 2000.

122 posted on 02/15/2007 11:59:05 AM PST by dirtboy (Duncan Hunter 08)
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To: meg88
BTW, feel free to use the list.

A lot of it I got from the Steven Malanga article.

Link

123 posted on 02/15/2007 12:00:02 PM PST by FreeReign (Still waiting for the best conservative candidate.)
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To: FreeReign
As another Freeper pointed out yesterday, Newt's contract had nothing with abortion, 2A and illegal immigration.

It should be unneccesary to point out that the GOP platform has remained pro-life since Reagan.

124 posted on 02/15/2007 12:00:28 PM PST by dirtboy (Duncan Hunter 08)
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To: meg88; My GOP
Rudy's also beating Hillary in Cali. :) (and was trending 3 points ahead in NY internals)

I stand corrected. I still think he's an elitist snob who, just like Hillary, is willing to say whatever he has to say to get elected.

125 posted on 02/15/2007 12:01:47 PM PST by FateAmenableToChange
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To: untrained skeptic
Rudy has been good at stamping out corruption, but he respect for the rule of law is inconsistent. He obstructed the federal government in finding and prosecuting illegal aliens and his efforts to punish the gun industry for following federal gun laws through civil suits are examples of this.

He also has made his mayoral records off-limits to the public in direct violation of NY law.

126 posted on 02/15/2007 12:01:54 PM PST by dirtboy (Duncan Hunter 08)
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To: redgolum
Rudy has PUBLICALLY said he is very close to Hillary on most issues.

And backed that up with his actions. Time and time again.

127 posted on 02/15/2007 12:02:44 PM PST by dirtboy (Duncan Hunter 08)
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To: redgolum
This is getting tiring. Alot of new members that suddenly show up screaming "RUDY IS THE CHOSEN ONE!". If this is the future of the conservative movement and the GOP, then the Republic is in dire peril.

Maybe you should quit worrying about Rudy and instead start worrying about how far behind our best conservative hope Duncan Hunter is in money and name recognition.

128 posted on 02/15/2007 12:03:08 PM PST by FreeReign (Still waiting for the best conservative candidate.)
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To: untrained skeptic

Reasonable men and women may differ on the meaning of the Second Amendment.

When the Constitution was adopted, insane and violent criminals were not allowed to participate in the militia.


129 posted on 02/15/2007 12:04:23 PM PST by CobaltBlue (Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice. Moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.)
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To: CobaltBlue
Rudy is defined at not being "pro gun" because "pro gun" has been defined to mean, "buy and own all the guns you want with no restriction whatsoever, by anyone, any time, for any reason."

Rudy is defined as a gun grabber because he grabbed guns from long-term NYC permit holders. And also because he sued gun manufactuers. And also because he has supported assault-weapons bans and stringet restrictions on handguns. And also because he thinks the 2nd Amendment protects your right to hunt ducks but is silent on the right to bear arms for self-defense. And also because he strongly supported Clinton gun control proposals. And also because...

130 posted on 02/15/2007 12:05:33 PM PST by dirtboy (Duncan Hunter 08)
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To: dirtboy
As another Freeper pointed out yesterday, Newt's contract had nothing with abortion, 2A and illegal immigration.

It should be unneccesary to point out that the GOP platform has remained pro-life since Reagan.

My comment above stands. It should be unneccesary to point that out.

131 posted on 02/15/2007 12:05:48 PM PST by FreeReign (Still waiting for the best conservative candidate.)
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To: FreeReign
Maybe you should quit worrying about Rudy

Gee, I can't imagine why conservatives would worry about the headlong rush by so many in the GOP to repeat the glory days of 1992.

132 posted on 02/15/2007 12:06:29 PM PST by dirtboy (Duncan Hunter 08)
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To: George W. Bush
[.. 2006 will look like a picnic compared to the kind of congressional slaughter we'd see in '08 with leftwing Rudy heading the ticket. Singlehandedly, he could lead us back into the wilderness for forty years. ..]

Lieberman could have exposed the "answer"(2006).. Running as an Independant..
It worked for him.. same situation.. more or less..
The Party leadership "Borked" him.... he went around them..

Same with Newt Gingrich.. Running as independant could glean many democrats and independants.. Because running Giuliani will elect Hillary elected for sure..

At least as independant he could say what needs to be said LOUDLY....
Probably wouldn't be elected but he could EXPOSE Hillary before she does what she WILL DO.. Raise taxes, perform world class treason, and alienate INalieable rights..

Running as an independant didn't hurt Lieberman at all.. Democrats are bowing and scrapeing to him..

133 posted on 02/15/2007 12:06:30 PM PST by hosepipe (CAUTION: This propaganda is laced with hyperbole....)
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To: dirtboy
"Rudy has PUBLICALLY said he is very close to Hillary on most issues".

And backed that up with his actions. Time and time again.

As been pointed out many times he hasn't.

134 posted on 02/15/2007 12:07:10 PM PST by FreeReign (Still waiting for the best conservative candidate.)
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To: FreeReign
My comment above stands. It should be unneccesary to point that out.

Your comment is irrelevant. There was no need for the Contract With America to mention abortion, since the party officially was pro-life.

135 posted on 02/15/2007 12:07:39 PM PST by dirtboy (Duncan Hunter 08)
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To: dirtboy
Maybe you should quit worrying about Rudy and instead start worrying about how far behind our best conservative hope Duncan Hunter is in money and name recognition.

"Maybe you should quit worrying about Rudy" Gee, I can't imagine why conservatives would worry about the headlong rush by so many in the GOP to repeat the glory days of 1992.,/I>

Your removal of my comment from its full context is misleading. Don't do that. My point stands.

Gee, I can't imagine conservatives not worring about having a candidate who currently is far behind in many and name recognition.

Maybe you don't worry about it but I do.

136 posted on 02/15/2007 12:10:44 PM PST by FreeReign (Still waiting for the best conservative candidate.)
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To: FreeReign
As been pointed out many times he hasn't.

He received awards from NARAL. Has called abortion a "Constitutional Right."

Meanwhile, he denied an enumerated Constitutional right to NYC gun owners when he took guns away from long-term permit holders. Sued gun manufacturers. And supported Clinton gun control proposals.

He supports CFR. Gay rights. Amnesty. All supported by Hillary.

He now believes in human-caused global warming. Just like Hillary.

He has denied the public access to his mayoral records in defiance of NY law. Very Clintoneque - the laws don't apply to him.

It's easier to keep track of Rudy's differences from Hillary than his agreements.

137 posted on 02/15/2007 12:11:14 PM PST by dirtboy (Duncan Hunter 08)
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To: FreeReign
Your removal of my comment from its full context is misleading

Hardly. Rudy or McCain would split the party. Both need to be opposed with all the strength conservatives can muster. Some of us can do more than just gush talking points.

138 posted on 02/15/2007 12:12:37 PM PST by dirtboy (Duncan Hunter 08)
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To: dirtboy
My comment above stands. It should be unneccesary to point that out.

Your comment is irrelevant. There was no need for the Contract With America to mention abortion, since the party officially was pro-life.

No.

Using your logic then, if Rudy were our nominee and the party platform remained pro-life, then Rudy's non-support for life would be irrelevant.

It isn't -- in both cases.

139 posted on 02/15/2007 12:13:47 PM PST by FreeReign (Still waiting for the best conservative candidate.)
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To: FreeReign
Using your logic then, if Rudy were our nominee and the party platform remained pro-life, then Rudy's non-support for life would be irrelevant.

Wrong. Rudy's running for the standard bearer of the party. His views regarding the platform are highly relevant when he deviates from so many planks.

Whereas the GOP candidates running in 1994 were overwhelmingly pro-life already. And they stood firmly on the party's pro-life plank that ALREADY WAS IN PLACE.

140 posted on 02/15/2007 12:16:40 PM PST by dirtboy (Duncan Hunter 08)
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