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?"
I agree.
A whole lot of FReepers support him though.
Hillary Slayer, is about the biggest reason.
I suppose we're going to start hearing how Gingrich is a no-good RINO who performs abortions on the side.
Newt might not have announced but Giuliani has. Hence this endorsement, IMHO, is Newt's attempt to suit up on the ex Mayor's bandwagon. There is some rationality inherent here. Giuliani is a liberal. By choosing Newt, who is outwardly as rightwing as they come, Giuliani would shore up, supposedly, base support or at the least staunch any damage. This overlooks Newt's infidelities, his pretty tawdry lusting for power and his pretty poor image on TV.
The only one I've said no to is, Rudy the Liberal.
What would you expect Newt to say, that Giuliani's liberal scum?
Didn't anyone see Rudy "lavish praise" on McCain and Romney on Larry King?
the current republican President has demonstrated he is for bigger government, he's generally pro amnesty, and he has ceded ground on global warming (did you listen to the SOTU?)
should George W Bush be thrown out of the Republican Party?
I'm not sure Romney would be much better, and thankfully McPain seems to be a non-starter.
When Rudy comes out for open borders and amnesty I will enjoy reading the posts on FR. Think Bush is hard headed on this, just wait.
Six marriages between them. Yeah right. Social conservatives would surely embrace that ticket. ~ sarc~
What ever happens we cannot let a dimocRAT get into office.
No.
First off, I don't have a candidate, but your post is hilarious for it's hypocrisy. It's 24/7 slashing and bashing of candidate Guiliani here, but now when Newt says nice things, you whine.
What would you expect Newt to say, that Giuliani's liberal scum?
FOTFLOL! I'll wager that was your hope.
Perhaps Newt is just obeying the 11th Commandment.
I called it first.... my G&G ticket...;) These two guys would have all the bases covered...... RUDY~NEWT '08
Rudy, Dubya, McCain and Romney ALL support big government Republicanism. Newt to a slightly lesser degree. Rudy, Dubya and McCain all support comprehensive immigration reform and amnesty. Romney has sounded somewhat anti-amnesty in recent weeks. Bush has stood firm on the social issues and still gets my respect for that. McCain is pro-life and for serious spending reforms. Romney is still considering his options on the abortion issue.
The only one I've ruled out, is Rudy the Liberal.
((((RUDY PING))))
I like all of our candidates too, with the exceptions you noted, and, I think I'd add Huckabee to the exceptions list due to his amnesty position and his lackluster support of the President's surge. IMHO, though, only Rudy, Romney and McCain can win in the general -- and with McCain, I'm not so sure. Time will tell.
I haven't given my time or money to anyone yet. Waiting to see the debates.
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