Greenfield: '9/11' May Be The Only Answer Giuliani Needs

The Cable News Network ^ | POSTED: 8:28 p.m. EST, March 1, 2007 | Jeff Greenfield

[meg88]

Rudy Giuliani is going before a big meeting of conservatives this weekend with a remarkable lead in the GOP race; according to a Washington Post poll, he's ahead of Sen. John McCain 44-21.

That raises a question: How could a pro-choice, pro-gay rights, pro-gun control ex-mayor from New York be doing so well with Republicans?

The short answer is "September 11," but for reasons that go beyond the obvious, which is the sense that Giuliani rallied a stricken city, spoke in bold language about defeating the new enemy and actually was at risk in those moments.

But 9/11 did something else -- it elevated Giuliani far above the level of big-city mayor.

He was the official who "stood up to al Qaeda" and became a major American figure in the global battle against the enemy who'd so savagely attacked the United States. That made him much more than a big city mayor.

Moreover, the attacks radically changed the picture of New York -- the biggest Democratic city in the nation, and one not usually admired by core Republicans.

Two things have changed about New York. First, 9/11 made New York much more "American."

That's where the enemy attacked; that's where the president and the mayor stood with firefighters and American flag to promise payback.

The second factor -- and this is an argument Giuliani hasn't made much, but I'm guessing he will -- is that New York was where a Republican mayor, using conservative ideas on crime, taxes and welfare, turned around the city that was ground zero of modern liberalism.

For whatever reason, New York is much safer, cleaner, healthier city than it was a decade and a half ago, and Giuliani is likely to say, "I don't just talk about ideas like senators. I made them work."

[dirtboy]

who do you tust to fight radical Islam with more conviction.

Hmmm - I trust a guy who pushed a corrupt crony for the most important anti-terror job in the country!

[dirtboy]

He isn't a "social conservative" (read: advocate of using government to coerce people into living according to tenets of religions they don't believe in), which is a big plus in my book

Oh, that's a hoot. He took guns away from thousands of long-term NYC permit holders, but he doesn't "coerce people?"

BWAHAHAHA!

Oh, and using that logic, if a cult believes in murder, the government should have no voice.

[marlon]

Hey I'm a conservative and I would love to see Ronald Reagan reincarnated but it's not in the cards. Duncun Hunter is not likely to get the nomination. If he does I'll support him whole heartedly, and yes if he's still around and over 2% when the primary voting begins I'll prbably vote for him.

That said Rudy is not some left wing radical, as is Hillary or Obama. He's conservative on taxes, tough on crime, unwavering in his support for the WOT, a great administrator, a can-do guy who not only talks a good game but actually makes things happen.

Sure I'm personally pro-life and against gay marriage and Rudy holds a different view, as do most of my friends. But they are not looking to petiiton the government to change laws nor are they in favor of government sponsored abortion. Is that perfect, no, but it's reality. I think Rudy will run a great administration, make progress on the WOT and not really impact Gay rights or abortion one way or the other. He more than likely would appoint constitutionalist judges and let the chips fall where they may in the culture war.

[Candor7]

Dirtboy is right. Yep, Rudy tried to use NYC style chronyism at the federal level, and blew it.

THE NATION

posted December 14, 2004 (web only)

Kerik's 'Nannygate' Was the Least of It

Robert Scheer

How revealing that the nomination of Bernard Kerik as Homeland Security chief should be derailed not by the former New York City police commissioner's alleged violations of conflict-of-interest laws, mob connections and post-9/11 security industry profiteering but rather by his rueful admission that he paid no taxes for his "illegal immigrant" baby-sitter.

Since harassing, detaining and deporting productive and otherwise law-abiding immigrants without proper residency papers has been the main task of the Homeland Security Department, the tough law-and-order booster of President Bush at the Republican National Convention could have claimed his nanny connection as research. Instead of admitting that this "lovely woman," entrusted for years with the care of his children, was part of that essential but exploited mass of "illegal aliens" whose drudgery permits the powerful to shirk family responsibilities and strut unencumbered on a larger stage, Kerik could have claimed he was merely infiltrating the ranks of the enemy.

Of course, labor law violations are to Big Business what the nickel-a-swear-word jar is to adult visitors to Grandma's house--no big deal. But woe to the political aspirant who doesn't remember the ghosts of Nannygates Past: The law is the law--as Kerik's chief backer, ex-New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, observed in reluctantly agreeing that Kerik had to withdraw--or at least it is once the media find out it has been broken.

So Kerik tried to save a few bucks by hiring an undocumented worker and has paid a certain cost. However, by bowing out now, he may have saved himself a passel of future trouble. NYC's media have been raising issues about potentially far more consequential legal transgressions by Kerik, which Giuliani should have known about before recommending his protege for the national security post.

This rough-around-the-edges high school dropout's profligate ways led to personal bankruptcy and, ultimately, some very dubious dealings with shady characters. Yet "America's Mayor" liked what he saw in the undercover cop with six diamond studs in his ear--a young blood whose wild style earned him the name "Mayhem Magnet"--and plucked him out to be the Big Apple's top cop.

Once his act went national, however, cracks in Kerik's facade started to look a lot worse. One of the most detailed exposes stressing Kerik's alleged ties to New York mobsters ran in the New York Daily News on Sunday. Why didn't those in the administration who vetted Kerik for this job know any of this?

Giuliani told Time magazine after Kerik's withdrawal that although he knew there were black marks on Kerik's record, "everything seemed pretty normal, at least by Washington or New York standards." Talk about your moral relativism! Or family values. On Monday, the NY Daily News reported that Kerik had juggled two extramarital affairs while police commissioner.

Bottom line: A smart guy like Giuliani should have suspected something in 1998, when his wife and his deputy mayor attended Kerik's lavish wedding, which was dotted with mob-connected characters. This was two years before he appointed Kerik to head the New York City Police Department.

To be fair, it would be only later that the Daily News reported the wedding was paid for with money from folks with city contracts and mob connections, some of whom were later indicted. But anyone knowledgeable about Kerik should have known that he could not afford his sumptuous lifestyle, given his bankruptcy and, according to Newsweek magazine, a contempt citation for failing to pay a debt in a business dealing.

Kerik soon learned to play the game with the big boys, though. After gaining celebrity for his prominent role during 9/11, he shot through that infamous government/private sector revolving door into a key position working for Giuliani's firm. Kerik also lent his prestige to stun-gun manufacturer Taser International, which--surprise!--has a contract with Homeland Security.

Never mind, though, as Kerik cleared out his Taser stock options last month with a $6.2-million windfall, ready to be flipped by kingmaker Giuliani right back onto the taxpayer payroll. Giuliani, of course, was trading his own crucial support for Bush's campaign to give Giuliani Partners what would have been some Halliburton-grade access to the White House.

Why wouldn't Giuliani push his onetime chauffeur and now a senior vice president in his firm to be Homeland Security czar, overseeing twenty-two federal agencies with a combined budget of $37.7 billion? The war on terror is a mother lode to be mined by those who are connected. Come to think of it, Kerik shouldn't have been rejected by the Bushies. If they were honest, they would celebrate him as the prototypical GOP operator, playing the people for a profit.

http://www.thenation.com/doc/20041227/scheer1224

[kellynch]

He lost the first time he ran, in 1989. He won by the skin of his teeth in 1993, against an opponent who allowed a pogrom in Brooklyn. He won by a landslide in 1997, against an opponent who really is a Socialist.

And, to this day, there are people here in NY who hate his guts because "he's a fascist/Nazi."

[WhistlingPastTheGraveyard]

And everybody knows, the only to beat radical Islam is with open borders and lots of gun control.

[Roccus]

"And, to this day, there are people here in NY who hate his guts because "he's a fascist/Nazi."

I can't wait for the MSM to pick up that mantra again. I don't think I've heard that out of them in 5 1/2 years. But then again, I escaped Fun City.

[trisham]

And everybody knows, the only to beat radical Islam is with open borders and lots of gun control.

************

LOL! Exactly.

[Antique Gal]

Who do you trust ??

[flashbunny]

Who do I "tust"? I don't think I've ever tusted anybody.

What would make rudy a great 'wartime president' as everybody keeps saying he would? Is it his special exemption from the draft because his law clerking skills were so vital to the security of the country? At the same time people like duncan hunter were serving in vietnam?

I haven't made any decisions about who to support, but duncan hunter's military service and chairing the house armed services committee are much more impressive credentials than rudy kicking arafat out of concert or talking tough on how he'd kill osama with his bare hands.

If you're supporting rudy as a leader, show me his actual achievements with fighting radical islam -other than words. Remember, the claims about him being involved in the achille lauro case are basically hot air. What military experience or foreign policy experience does candidate rudy actually have?

So if you have any actual cases of rudy doing something about to fight terrorism or having military experience that would make him a 'great wartime president', please list it. And remember, refusing checks, talking tough, kicking out arafat, and making promises don't amount to experience.

[dirtboy]

Who do you trust ??

I think Hunter is the best guy for the job.

I never trust any of them. Neither did the Founders.

[dmw]

LOL! Yeah, some logic this Rudy bunch has, eh? Talk about one issue voters!!

[flashbunny]

LOL.

And don't forget hate crimes laws. That will teach 'em!

[auto power]

I think the people here on this forum who are supporting Rudy have valid and positive reasons for doing so...unlike you and others like you on FreeRepublic who take the opportunity to constantly attack.

[Antique Gal]

I'm not one of Rudy's bunch I haven't made up my mind yet,politians in general are disgusting human beings,I wouldn't give you two cents for the whole lot of them!!They just never go away and feed at the public trough forever!!

[spectre]

"No, no NO! Better to lose with honor than win with Rudy. Here's the catch: if the Dems win, the Dems win. If Rudy wins, then the Dems win. And the Republican party is then shifted forever leftward. I won't stand by and watch this happen."

Well said. You are not alone..

sw

[dmw]

In your logic, facts are attacks, only when it comes from people who you don't agree with of course. Go ahead, keep your head in the sand if it makes you *feel* better.

[dmw]

"...politians in general are disgusting human beings,I wouldn't give you two cents for the whole lot of them!!They just never go away and feed at the public trough forever!!"

Boy, ain't that the truth! LOL!

[flashbunny]

"I think the people here on this forum who are supporting Rudy have valid and positive reasons for doing so...unlike you and others like you on FreeRepublic who take the opportunity to constantly attack."

The truth is only an attack if you were wrong in the first place.