Posted on 02/16/2007 4:34:15 PM PST by Jet Jaguar
Long dismissed by Washington insiders as incapable of receiving the Republican Party's presidential nomination because of his pro-abortion rights, pro-gay rights and pro-gun control views, former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani was lavished with praise Friday by an icon of American conservatism.
"He is much stronger than anyone could have predicted six months ago," said former Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrich from Georgia. "New York is four times safer than it used to be. It's one of the greatest achievements of government capability in the 20th century. And Rudy just has to go out and say, 'This is who I am. If you think the world's dangerous, and you need a tough guy … that's me.' "
Gingrich, who co-wrote a Wall Street Journal op-ed with Giuliani last month, said he is not endorsing the man who led New York City through the terrorist attacks of 9/11, and he noted that he may still jump into the presidential race against him.
But the words of praise from the architect of the GOP's 1994 takeover of Congress capped a big week for Giuliani, which included more encouraging poll numbers, a raucous reception from California Republicans, and the latest round of softball interviews in which he has been able to downplay his liberal social views by espousing his commitment to appointing "strict constructionist" judges.
Nearly a year before the first presidential primaries are held, a Gallup Poll released Wednesday found that Giuliani has a 16-point lead among Republicans over Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.
In general election matchups, Gallup found that Giuliani leads Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., by nine points and Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., by two points, within the survey's three-point margin of error. McCain, by contrast, ties Obama and trails Clinton by three percentage points.
Saying that former Gov. Mitt Romney, R-Mass., is going through a "little bit of a rough patch," Gingrich was noticeably cooler toward Romney today than he has been in the past.
Back in November, while appearing on "Fox News Sunday," Gingrich singled out Romney as someone who is working "very hard" to fill a vacuum in the GOP for a "clearer voice of conservatism," adding that Romney "may well succeed."
Gingrich adopted a different tone toward Romney today after cost estimates for his health care plan, which have soared above the former governor's expectations, which revealed.
"I think that he's very smart, he's very articulate, and he's had a little bit of a rough patch with the cost of the health plan is Massachusetts," said Gingrich, "But he's a very smart guy, and I think he'll be a very significant candidate."
In assessing Giuliani's potential appeal to conservatives, Gingrich pointed to Giuliani saying in recent interviews that he would appoint "strict constructionist" judges.
Gingrich predicted that one of Giuliani's GOP rivals would air television ads attacking him for having made positive statements in the past about Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the Supreme Court justice appointed by former President Clinton, who has upheld abortion rights.
Gingrich, however, seemed unconvinced that the line of attack would work
"And as he said the other day," said Gingrich, "he would have appointed the same two Supreme Court justices as Bush did. So conservatives have got to decide, you know, is that acceptable or not acceptable?"
It's called stunned silent.
The gun thing is my concern. A potus can really do damage there. The rest, Bush is basically already doing. I don't see Rudy doing that differently on USSC which from Bush, which is where the other issues hit.
"Hillary is from Arkansas." Not exactly. I think she is originally from Illinois. Then she married Bill and was forced to live in Arkansas. She is now nominally a New Yorker. Why New York voters accept this is beyond me.
Sean Hannity.
It was pap. Of course, that was what the electorate was ready for, so it worked, in some degree.
But it was hardly brilliant statesmanship.
And there were many more things in play in '94 than just Newt's Contract.
The election was primarily a backlash to Bill Clinton, the largest tax increase in world history, passed with only Democrat votes, and to HillaryCare.
Their beebers were royally stuned. I think several heads just exploded.
LOL!!!
This is great, more and more conservatives will join Rudy. This is fantastic!
You're too gullible, IMO, if you believe a thing Giuliani says about judges. Liberals pick liberals. It's hard enough getting a decent judge from a so-called "conservative," man.
All true, but Newt forever changed the thinking that all politics are local.
You're pretty sore about this article.
I'm always surprised when folks mistake Professor Gingrich's pedantic style for brilliance.
Newt is brilliant. Unfortunately he doesn't have the charm and charisma to convince soccer moms who watch Katie, the View or Oprah or guys who only read FHM that limited government will benefit them. It's too bad that people are stupid/too preoccupied to listen and understand. He'd be a great President.
Bumpity bump!
Actually, I pretty much expected it. I've been putting up warning flags about Newt for some time.
Where's all the posts calling Gingrich a RINO? Hahaha!
Hero 2 hours ago --- wow. Talk about support being a mile wide and an inch deep. Let anyone stray one iota from the rogidly narrow and he's a sell out and turn coat.
Actually, I have relatives in New York and my dad was born there. But aren't New York politics controlled by Democrat voters in New York City? Why do New Yorkers put up with the highest taxes in the nation? How can they allow Hillary and Chuck Schumer to represent them? And before them, Mario Cuomo? I just question their sanity. And the contagion is spreading to Pennsylvania, unfortunately.
I think you mean misconceptions, and no, I'm afraid not. I lived in a rural East Texas for a full decade as an adult. Any and all conceptions I have about rednecks were full formed from years of living side by side with them.
Whoopee, Sheaat, you ain't seen nothing yet, you arrogant, liberal, prick!
Wow, I guess I was wrong about rednecks being semi-literate goobers who relied on off-color metaphors to color their speech. You sure showed me. Lol!
What color? Yellow, red or white?
I must have missed those posts --- all you seem to do is flit from Rudy to Romney threads bashing both men.
Have all you Rudy bashers asked yourselves, Why?
These are all people with 100% solid Conservative credentials, and they are supporting Rudy.
If Rudy is the best candidate who can keep Her Heinous, Queen Hillary from claiming her throne, so be it.
Stop the insanity now!
"Newt!! Noooooo!"
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