Cato Institute Looks at Giuliani's Fiscal Record As Mayor

Cato ^ | 3/5/07

[areafiftyone]

Giuliani

A new poll shows that Rudy Giuliani has pulled into the frontrunner position for the Republican nomination for President. Thus, it is worth looking at his fiscal performance as New York City Mayor (1994 through 2001).

A good source of data are the Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports issued by the city’s comptroller. See the CAFR for fiscal 2002, which contains 10 years of historical data.

Total NYC general fund expenditures.

1994: $31.3 billion

2001: $40.2 billion

representing a 3.6 percent average growth rate.

NYC Outstanding General Obligation Bonds.

1994: $22.9 billion

2001: $26.8 billion

representing a 2.3 percent average growth rate.

The data suggest that Giuliani exerted reasonable fiscal control, particularly in comparison to prior NYC mayors, or President Bush. For example, NYC debt more than doubled in the five years prior to Giuliani entering office. But more analysis needs to be done.

[BykrBayb]

Can't say why they don't choose to become Democrats.

It looks like their work there has already been done.

[Paige]

Once again, I am not impressed with the Media's polls. I do "NOT" like the media telling me who the GOP candidate is going to be or suppose to be.

The Media does not like the GOP and they especially do "NOT" like Conservatives. Why should I support the media's choice, which I might add, is a Liberal?

BUT, CATO has no room to talk. They want open borders and smaller government. Think about that one for a moment.

[Paige]

President Reagan may have been a mere man but he did more for the Conservative cause than any other politician in the 20th century.

Historians will be very good to President Reagan. As for RUDY. NO THANK YOU! YOU want a LIBERAL fine but do not try to cram him down other Conservatives throats. Thanks!

[Paige]

Great POST!! Thanks!

[claudiustg]

---Believe me Rudy will not touch the gun issue. ---

Why should we believe you? Are you making policy decisions for Rudy now?

In February Rudy was telling Larry King he supported registration for handguns. Was he lying? Or are you making promises which you are in no position to keep?

[narses]

I’m pro-choice. I’m pro-gay rights, Giuliani said. He was then asked whether he supports a ban on what critics call partial-birth abortions. “No, I have not supported that, and I don’t see my position on that changing,” he responded. Source: CNN.com, “Inside Politics” Dec 2, 1999 http://www.ontheissues.org/2008/Rudy_Giuliani_Abortion.htm

ANDERSON COOPER 360 DEGREES (November 14, 2006)

RUDY GIULIANI (R), FORMER MAYOR OF NEW YORK CITY: I'm pro- choice. I'm pro-gay rights.

KING: Giuliani supports a woman's right to an abortion, and back in 1999, he opposed a federal ban on late-term abortions.

GIULIANI: No, I have not supported that, and I don't see my position on that changing.

KING: Immigration could be another presidential landmine. Back in 1996, Mayor Giuliani went to federal court to challenge new federal laws requiring the city to inform the federal government about illegal immigrants.

JEFFREY: He took the side of illegal immigrants in New York City against the Republican Congress.

KING: Giuliani opposes same-sex marriage but as mayor, he supported civil unions and extending health and other benefits to gay couples. He also supported the assault weapons ban and other gun control measures opposed by the National Rifle Association.

GIULIANI: I'm in favor of gun control. I'm pro-choice.

Republican Big-Wigs Support Pro-Abortion Event in NY

Pro-abortion Governor George Pataki and New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who also supports unrestricted abortion, are co-chairs of the 2000 Choice Award Presentation to be held on May 30 at the St. Regis Hotel in New York City. The event is sponsored by the Republican Pro-Choice Coalition, a group that is campaigning for the removal of the pro-life plank from the Republican National Platform.


http://www.nationalreview.com/murdock/murdock200503010743.asp

[servantboy777]

If we keep fishing from the same pond, were gonna keep catchin the same ol fish.

Vote conservative!

[spikeytx86]

The population growth from 1990-2000 was 9.4%

http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/36/3651000.html

That is an average of 0.94% per year. Deducting from the 3.6%, that meant government grew really at 2.66% on average or almost a full percentage point under the average inflation rate for the NYC area. In fact according to the NRO article I linked below, they stated the Local Inflation Rate was 3.9% and Spending at 2.9% for the 94-01 period meaning real government growth was actually almost a full 2 percentage points under inflation. He was by no means a "Big Government Conservative". In Real Terms, Government Shrank between almost 8% on the low side or 16% on the high side depending on source. Taxes as a share of families incomes dropped as dramatically. I don't think any conservative especially in such a liberal area has ever had anywhere near the amount of success he had.

http://www.nyc.gov/html/nyc100/html/classroom/hist_info/mayors.html#giuliani

http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=OWIxMjAzNWM4NDNlNmRiMjg5OWU0ZTY4MzFkNTQ0Yjk=

[GovernmentIsTheProblem]

[KDD]

You had to visit NYC in the late 80's, early 90's to know the kind of transformation he wrought.

New York City is about as representative of the rest of country as San Francisco is...which is to say not at all. So personally, what he did for NYC is not as important to me as his stance on the 2nd amendment. He will not get my vote and will probably not get the vote of any gun owner I speak with...The 2nd Amendment is not as much a social conservative cause as it is a Constitutional conservative cause.

[Kevmo]

As a Duncan Hunter supporter I am choosing not to engage in debate on this Rudy Giuliani thread on Free Republic. As a freeper I am disappointed that there are fans of a liberal presidential candidate trying to push socially liberal views on this socially conservative forum. In particular, I have noticed that the Rudy G fans do not answer posts questioning the qualitative substance of their candidate, or the posts are met merely with insults.

Duncan Hunter's campaign website
http://www.gohunter08.com/



Statement of Jim Robinson, Founder of Free Republic:

As a conservative site, Free Republic is pro-God, pro-life, pro-family, pro-Constitution, pro-Bill of Rights, pro-gun, pro-limited government, pro-private property rights, pro-limited taxes, pro-capitalism, pro-national defense, pro-freedom, and-pro America. We oppose all forms of liberalism, socialism, fascism, pacifism, totalitarianism, anarchism, government enforced atheism, abortionism, feminism, homosexualism, racism, wacko environmentalism, judicial activism, etc.



Video of Rudy Giuliani in his own words
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVBtPIrEleM

Transcript of video below.




Will the real Rudy show up at CPAC?

Culture of life:

ABC clip:

George Will: "Do you think Roe v Wade was good constitutional law?"

Rudy Giuliani: "Yes I believe, I believe it is."

Cnn Clip December 2, 1999:

Announcer: "Giuliani was then asked whether he supports a ban on what critics call partial birth abortions, something Bush strongly supports."

Rudy Giuliani : "No, I have not supported that, and I don't see my position on that changing."

Immigration

CNN clip:

Announcer: "Back in 1996, mayor Giuliani went to federal court to challenge new federal laws requiring the city to inform the federal government about illegal immigrants."

Rudy Giuliani: "There isn't a mayor or a public official in this country that's more strongly pro immigrant than I am. Including disagreeing with President Clinton when he signed an anti-immigration legislation about two or three years ago."

Gun control:

CNN clip

Rudy Giuliani: "I'm in favor of gun control"

Meet The Press:

Tim Russert: "How about registration of all handguns?"

Rudy Giuliani: "You know I'm in favor of that. I've been on your show many times."

Gay Rights:

CNN Clip:

Announcer: "As mayor he supported civil unions, and extending health and other benefits to gay couples."

ABC Clip: "I supported domestic partnership legislation and signed it"

Meet The Press:

Tim Russert: "So should gay people be openly allowed to serve?"

Rudy Giuliani: "I think people should be judged on the merits. And there should not be a specific focus on someone's sexual orientation."

First Amendment:

ABC Clip

Cokie Roberts: "Would you vote in the senate in favor of Mccain / Feingold?"

Rudy Giuliani: "Yes, I'm a big supporter of Mccain / Feingold. I have been for a long time."

Party Loyalty:

ABC Clip:

Rudy Giuliani: "Frankly George, I'd like to run on all the lines. I'd like to run on the liberal line, the conservative line, I'd like to run on the democratic line if I could figure out how to do it."

Conservative Values:

Meet The Press:

Tim Russert: "Whether it's gays in the military, gun control, campaign finance, late term abortion - you and Hillary Clinton are in sync on those issues."

Rudy Giuliani: "Well then maybe the other side should stop the 'He's part of the vast right wing conspiracy'."

Welcome To CPAC, Rudy!

End clip.