Don't forget the quotation marks when you call Rudy a "conservative".
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 forgit all about Huckabee...lol.
fotgot --- gee my typing is worse than usual tonight.
FORGOT -- third time's a charm.
Fact is, this is a very weak field of major candidates for conservatives to choose from and if someone doesn't step forward soon with some serious credentials, I'll be a Democrat massacre in 2008.
Don't forget the quotation marks when you call Rudy a "conservative".
Gingrich always was a squish.
And he always was a quivering mass of uselessness in the presence of liberal "stardom," too.
That's what they say..... LOL
I beat you here....LOL
See my post #40!
This doesn't mean anything.
Newt's a RINO after all...
Newt's star is falling
It took me three attempts. LOL
So, Newt gives liberal Rudy a nonendorsment boost in hopes that it will hurt McCain and Romney early, then when Rudy's record on issues is better known he can dance in a fill the void.
FOTFL. As of this posted article, he sure is, and a sell out too. Plus, Newt is on his third wife -- ditto for Rudy.
"I doubt that. The margin in your favor is much, much larger."
yes, I think that is Newt's play here.
It's just amazing how many posters here don't have a candidate yet, but somehow manage to wind up posting on every pro-giuliani thread that pops up. Speaking of which, the anti-Giuliani sentiment might no be so obvious if we didn't have 75 threads posted every time Rudy's name appears appears in print. Then again, maybe not, bashing liberals is always good fun.
FOTFLOL! I'll wager that was your hope.
In a perfect world yes, but unfortunately I realize we live in a world where politicians make a habit of kissing each other's butts. Hopefully, Newt will run and call Rudy liberal scum in slightly more sophisticated language.
I'm leaning more R & G, and I think they'd have the bases covered as well, but you could be right.
I really think the prudent thing would be for Newt to get in now.
See post #50.
LOL! Hmmmm! I need faster fingers!
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