The way to electoral suicide -- vote Giuliani

Agape Press via OneNewsNow.com ^ | 20 February 2007 | Matt Friedeman

[Spiff]

The way to electoral suicide -- vote Giuliani

February 20, 2007

The Republicans, and even some socially conservative and evangelical leaders, are beginning to adjust to the possibility of former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani as the GOP nominee for president. But not all.

The Southern Baptist's Richard Land, for instance, predicts massive defections from Rudy in the event of a Rudy Giuliani vs. Hillary Clinton race. Hugh Hewitt, evangelical talk-meister in the syndicated stream of radio shows doubts this; "... If Rudy is persuasive on the judges he will nominate, he wouldn't have a problem with the social conservatives in the general election." So tell us you'll nominate the likes of Scalia, Roberts, and Alito to the Supreme Court, and we will line up behind you no matter your substantial views that run counter to the Judeo-Christian ethic, he and his handlers are undoubtedly thinking.

Well, I won't.

And I bet I speak for hundreds of thousands and perhaps millions when I say that I cannot in good conscience vote for a man with significant moral problems in his personal life, a radically wrong view of abortion (against it personally, but for women making their own pro-abortion choice), and oh-so-very Times Square and Hollywood on the issues of homosexual rights and guns (for and against, respectively).

Can't vote for him, even if his opponent is Hillary Rodham Clinton? No, I cannot.

Aw, c'mon, Team Republican says, nobody who purports to be socially conservative, evangelical, or who voted twice for Ronald Reagan will be able to muster a vote for Hillary over Rudy.

Probably right. But voting for her isn't the only option. When the electorate isn't excited about the candidates, they are capable of staying home -- particularly those who don't much care to think political thoughts 24/7 and are not enthused about the choices. There are others of us who will either leave the presidential portion of the ballot unmarked or decide for the first time in our lives to vote, say, the Constitution Party.

Next argument -- Then you'll just be putting Hillary into office. Next rebuttal -- No, rather, my precious vote won't be responsible for putting into office a man who thinks we will vote for him because he is best suited and capably prepared to keep America safe but can't guard his own soul from moral perdition.

But, in all of this, there is something else to think about. The President of the United States guides his own political party and its platform. And the party of President Rudy Giuliani will soon become the party of the same kind of governing mushiness that has absorbed the Democrats. Give the party to Rudy and the moral code and political sensibilities of Reagan are lost, perhaps for good.

Better to lose an election and reload ideologically than try to cheer on and take cues from a man with a worldview radically divergent from your own.

May the primaries be kind to the GOP; and kindness means Giuliani loses.

Matt Friedeman (mfriedeman@wbs.edu) is a professor at Wesley Biblical Seminary. Respond to this column at his blog: evangelismtoday.blogspot.com. Opinions expressed in 'Perspectives' columns published by OneNewsNow.com are the sole responsibility of the article's author(s), or of the person(s) or organization(s) quoted therein, and do not necessarily represent those of the staff or management of, or advertisers who support the American Family News Network, OneNewsNow.com, our parent organization or its other affiliates.

[Antoninus]

the only thing "dumb" about that "hypothetical" is your unwillingness to consider it.

Hey, while we're at it, I wonder what would happen if Rosie O'Donnell decided to pick Big Bird as her running mate? Hmmm. Would I vote for that ticket?

[RockinRight]

I'm not supporting Rudy. I'm a Gingrich, Hunter, or, maybe, Romney guy.

[Txsleuth]

I like your "fix"....I feel the same way.

[FreeInWV]

You obviously haven't heard the talk about NH moving their primary months ahead.

No thanks, but in lieu of a primary vote, I choose to educate people about this liberal now.

[Hydroshock]

There is no way I will ever vote for Rino Rudy. And frankly he is so liberal he makes me lose my fear of democrats.

[RockinRight]

However, as an addendum to my last post:

Rudy would win the general. The Italian-American vote in East Coast states would outweigh the loss of the Christian Right. I don't have time to go into it but posted a more in-depth analysis the other night.

[Antoninus]

And as I see it Rudy is the only candidate that the Democrats secretly rail against.

Don't kid yourself. They want him. That's why he's been all over the media. They know if they can get him as the nominee, they've already won. Why do you think the race has started so early this time? They're trying to short-circuit the GOP nominating process.

[shempy]

So, you prefer an godless, anti-life, Marxist President Hillary and Senator Bill Clinton who will destroy our economy, private health care, and judicial branch?

You give them far too much credit. I remember lecturing my wife back in 1992 to be prepared for the double digit inflation of Jimmy Carter to return with the Clinton policies. And guns, by God, they were going totake them all. And what happened? Sure, the country was embarrassed and there were many critical decisions that we are still paying for. But mostly, the Democrats over-reached, just like they always do and always will. The over-reach lost them congress and stymied their further attempts to push us in to socialism.

Now, for contrast I can look at the increased spending under Bush and a Republican congress to see the hazards of liberal Republicans. At least when a Dem is in the Whitehouse the Republicans fight big government. With a liberal Republican, however, they approve every governmental increase they are asked to approve.

I would rather lose in 2008 with a principled conservative so that when the inevitable Democrat over-reach happens, the populace can reflect on the true differences between the parties. If we lose with a Rudy type of candidate, the contrast won't be as great. Rudy will make the Republican party more liberal, and that will hamper us for years to come.

Of course, the big problem is finding a principled conservative. I have looked into Duncan Hunter and I find him wanting. He is not a pillar of principle, nor is he a great thinker. And I can't get past his economic protectionist viewpoint. I could settle for him if he at least had a charismatic or compelling style, but he is destined to lose in a way that leaves no remarkable impression.

From the longterm perspective, I think Newt is the man to best represent us. If we areto lose the battle of 2008, then let's do it in a way that advances us in the war of ideas. Newt is smart as hell and will win the war of ideas versus any of the Dems. Unfortunately, it will likely be a retrospective win that happens after the Dems take the Presidency. But that is where it needs to start. And I see Newt as the only guy to do it.

[Hydroshock]

If Rino Rudy is nominated I will go third party. I do not vote for liberals.

[MEGoody]

I could never vote for Rudy in the primary. But IF he gets the nod, I would have to vote for him in the general election. Even Rudy is better than a Democrat.

[maxter]

there's a whole stable of Republican candidates to pick from.

Would you care to name a few of them?

[Beagle8U]

"What if Duncan Hunter choses Rudy as VP?"

What happens if you put a turd in the punch bowl?

[sitetest]

Dear RockinRight,

"The Italian-American vote in East Coast states would outweigh the loss of the Christian Right."

I don't think so.

I know that this Italian-American who lives on the east coast isn't going to vote for Mr. Giuliani.


sitetest

[Antoninus]

Given our enemies around the world, if we lose the 2008 election, we may lose the Republic itself.

Sorry, not buying it. We're more likely to "lose the Republic" if liberal Rudy gets elected. If socialist Hillary gets elected, the GOP will oppose her to the hilt out of pure political expediency.

If Rudy is elected, who will oppose him? The same GOP that passed McCain/Feingold, and Bush's education and Medicare programs?

[FreeInWV]

"I am an America-bot, and a Constitution-bot"

So how do you reconcile this with Julie-Annie's blatant disrespect for the second amendment? How about his history of support for unconstitutional search & seizures. Which amendment is that again?

[RockinRight]

Most will. I too am of Italian descent and know what most of my family thinks. Both the conservative Republicans and the liberal Dems have said they'd vote for him because, and I quote "We need a good Italian in there."

It's more of a factor than people think.

[GoforBroke]

Sure they do! give me a leader already! If you are a Duncan Hunter supporter then get him on the map..


Pot shots at Rudy or any other candidate is not endearing.

[MEGoody]

Rudy is the best that we have

"Best" in what way?

If by "best" you mean liberal enough to steal votes from the Dems, good luck with that. They have their own liberal candidates, and with the anti-war sentiment the Dems are promoting within their ranks, his 'strong leadership' won't carry much weight with them.

I'm sure you would agree that Rudy isn't the best candidate from a conservative viewpoint, particularly socially.

So in what way is he 'best'?

[from occupied ga]

that's tripe....

Thanks for your clever arguments against voting your conscience. You really convinced me. I kind of wonder just where there is a difference between Julie Annie and Hillary is it special privileges for homosexuals?

No?How about gun control, maybe abortion, how about illegal immigration haven't hit one yet have we?

I borrowed this from a fellow freeper. You could stand to read it

Giuliani/Clinton/Dem vs. GOP Platform Comparison
Issue	Giuliani	Clinton	Dem Platform	GOP Platform
Abortion on Demand	Supports	Supports	Supports	Opposes
Partial Birth Abortion	Supports Opposed NY ban	Supports	Supports	Opposes
Roe v. Wade	Supports	Supports	Supports	Opposes
Taxpayer Funded Abortions	Supports	Supports	Supports	Opposes
Embryonic Stem Cell Research	Supports	Supports	Supports	Opposes
Federal Marriage Amendment	Opposes	Opposes	Opposes Defined at state level	Supports
Gay Domestic Partnership/ Civil Unions	Supports	Supports	Supports	Opposes
Openly Gay Military	Supports	Supports	Supports	Opposes
Defense of Marriage Act	Opposes	Opposes	Opposes	Supports
Amnesty for Illegal Aliens	Supports	Supports	Supports	Opposes
Special Path to Citizenship for Illegal Aliens	Supports	Supports	Supports	Opposes
Tough Penalties for Employers of Illegal Aliens	Opposes	Opposes	Opposes	Supports
Sanctuary Cities/ Ignoring Immigration Law	Supports	Supports	Supports	Opposes
Protecting 2nd Amendment	Opposes	Opposes	Opposes Supports bans	Supports
Confiscating Guns	Supports Confiscated as mayor. Even bragged.	Supports	Supports Supports bans	Opposes
'Assault' Weapons Ban	Supports	Supports	Supports
Frivolous Lawsuits Against Gun Makers	Supports Filed One Himself	Supports		Opposes
Gun Registration/Licenses	Supports	Supports		Opposes
War in Afghanistan	Supports	Supports Voted for it	Supports	Supports
War in Iraq	Supports	Supports Voted for it	Supports Weak support	Supports
Patriot Act	Supports	Supports Voted for it 2001 & 2006	Opposes	Supports

"Most of Clinton's policies are very similar to most of mine." - Rudy Giuliani

So tell me again why a conservative would vote for this liberal POS?

[GoforBroke]

Then a turd in the punch bowl would look like a Democrat in the white house.