Posted on 03/02/2007 11:57:07 AM PST by 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."
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
His anti-constitutional stance on guns makes their feelings justified, I'd say.
Did you see his speech at CPAC today?
Must suck being such a thin skinned sissy. Wah.
The I'm gonna take my ball and go home voters rarely get what they want and in the end we end up with nothing. And please spare me with the Rudy's just the same (not necessarily you) he's not for socialized healthcare, redistribution of wealth, higher taxes to pay for more handouts, surrendering to the Islamopignazis and hoping they will treat us nice......and the list could go on.
"And please spare me with the Rudy's just the same (not necessarily you) he's not for socialized healthcare, redistribution of wealth, higher taxes to pay for more handouts, surrendering to the Islamopignazis and hoping they will treat us nice......"
no, he's for:
1. Gun control
2. campaign finance reform laws
3. Hate crime laws
4. Harboring illegal aliens in violation of federal law (NY sanctuary city)
5. Roe v wade as "good constitutional law".
BTW, he also supports government fundng for abortions, so I'm not sure how that fits in with the limited government label
Then he has his problems with the first amendment- numerous lawsuits he lost as mayor of NYC on first amendment grounds, including the one against NY magazine (look it up to see how thin skinned rudy is)
Name recognition.
If Giuliani is the candidate, then the principle issue in the 2008 election is the War on Terror.
If the principle issue in the 2008 election is the War on Terror, the Republicans win, and win big.
QED.
We need a license to get married. We need a license to drive. We need a license to have a dog. What's so awful about a license and some training to own a gun?
Perhaps it's because I grew up in and around New York City, but I truly just don't get it.
They know a dem beats Rudy cause many will sit on their hands and not vote for a liberal like Rudy."
The press has a "liberal enough" view of Rudy. Even they are tired of Hillary. Bill was a fun guy, but they were not and are not a fun couple. I think the press thinks Rudy would be entertaining in Washington, while Hillary would be a combination of your mother in law plus a preacher--4 years of moralizing boredom......
IIRC that was before anyone had an opportunity to see how badly the funds have been mismanaged.
That was less than five months after 9-11.
And it is telling that Giuliani was forced to impose safeguards and reduce fees for the deal to be allowed.
You are asking this in a fair manner and I will reply in kind.
Guns serve at least three vital purposes:
Self defense
Community defense
And as a bulwhark against government tyranny.
Self-defense should be obvious. You don't need to shoot someone to defend yourself with a gun. Making a perp aware that you are armed suffices 95 percent of the time or more. And instead of the cops responding to 9-11 to find you as a victim, they can respond to 9-11 to pick up the perp.
Community defense should be obvious. Imagine if the pilots or a couple of passengers had been armed during 9-11. It would not have happened. Likewise, look how people defended their neighborhoods with guns after Andrew and during the Rodney King riots.
And government tyranny is both the least likely and most vital reason for gun ownership. It is least likely precisely because we as a country are armed to the teeth and would put up a HELL of a fight against a usurping tyrant. Unless, of course, he convinces us to give up our guns for our own good and safety without a fight.
We need a license to get married. We need a license to drive. We need a license to have a dog. What's so awful about a license and some training to own a gun?
Registration often leads to confiscation. That is the problem.
Looks like the Rudybots are on the ropes for sure.
Drooling over an article by the South Whidbey Wack-job is the only way they can feel good about their reprobate candidate.
Be sure to watch Duncan Hunter on C-Span tonight at 8 PM!
Yep! Rudy can't do anything with conviction; that is the essence of the problem. He has always been as solid as a weather vane.
Could you remove me from your ping list? I'm not sure how I got on in the first place.
Wow, Al. I may disagree with your choice of candidates, but you've certainly earned my respect with that remark.
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