Posted on 03/06/2007 11:05:27 AM PST by areafiftyone
Rudy Giuliani might have been an inspiration in the days after 9/11, but what relevance does that have now? He might have cleaned up New York City, but why should most Americans care whether, say, Bryant Park is a drug-dealer-infested nightmare or a pleasant place for office workers on a lunch break? The power of Giuliani’s presidential candidacy is in neither of these things per se, but in the allure of executive prowess. A leaked strategy memo from the campaign of Mitt Romney said that the former Massachusetts governor could contrast himself with President Bush with one word, “intelligence.” That is unfair to Bush, who is not an unintelligent man. But the memo was correct in noting how Republican candidates for president will have to contrast their styles and skills with those of Bush. Republicans don’t need more sheer IQ in their next nominee, but more EI — not emotional intelligence, as the popular book had it, but executive intelligence. But troubled organizations often look to hire an executive who has succeeded elsewhere. Hence the allure of Rudy Giuliani.
Giuliani demonstrated it in New York. He ran the fourth-largest government in the country, from an office that had awesome powers (unlike the governorship of Texas), at a time when the city was in crisis, without a strong party to back him and in the teeth of a hostile press. And he succeeded. That, in a few phrases, is the appeal of Rudy Giuliani.
Fred Siegel describes him in his book Prince of the City as having “a mathematical and military cast of mind,” and quotes a former aide who explains that Giuliani is such a baseball fan because the game brings “together three things that he loves: statistics, teamwork and individual effort.” Siegel compares Rudy’s fascination with the intricacies of government to that of Bill Clinton, who had the same interest in details although without the decisiveness, and the late Sen. Daniel Pat Moynihan, who grasped how government worked but never was an executive.
Giuliani needed little sleep, which made extra hours available to him that he could pour into work. He had talented people around him whom he forged into an instrument of his executive will. Giuliani had daily 8 A.M. meetings to ensure that his deputies and commissioners were on the same page. As a former aide told Siegel, “You could draw a clear line on an organization chart for almost everything the Rudy administration did.”
Giuliani’s axioms of governance, described in his book “Leadership,” now read as a kind of rebuttal to Bush’s hands-off management style. One of his rules is “Always Sweat the Small Stuff.” Another is “Prepare Relentlessly.” He delivered annual 90-minute State of the City addresses without a prepared text: “I presented it from my own head and heart, not from a page.” And “Everyone’s Accountable, All of the Time.” Giuliani kept a two-word sign on his desk: “I’M RESPONSIBLE.”
Famously the first CEO president, Bush has had his reputation as an executive trashed by Katrina and Iraq. Bush had seen his role primarily as setting goals, then remaining resolute and confident about them. But the resolution and confidence are self-defeating if the goals aren’t matched with the appropriate means. Bush has been ill-served by his willingness to stand by failed subordinates (thereby eroding any sense of accountability), by his relative lack of interest in details and by his inability to establish coherence within his own government.
This makes the Competence Primary very important in the Republican nomination contest, and Giuliani is the front-runner in it, although he has competition from Romney, a successful businessman with strong management skills. This doesn’t mean that Giuliani will excel in the Temperament Primary. Some of the qualities that made him a successful mayor — the hunger for power, the jealousy of other centers of authority, the egocentric drive — don’t make him the most pleasant person. And the Ideological Primary will be a major challenge.
Republicat Manor. A weasel like group of republicat creatures that think they can rule the entire species. The show will feature an alpha female republicat named "Growlin'" and will feature the wacky exploits of a small band of misfits and malcontents in their daily misadventures.
We have been saying that for weeks, the media has been relentless in their coverage and after all the articles and TV news regarding the SC straw poll and CPAC I don't think it holds up.
Actually, New York has really been dormant for much longer than that. There hasn't been a New Yorker on a winning national ticket (Geraldine Ferraro -- Walter Mondale's running mate -- was the last one to try) since 1944. This is a pretty remarkable statement when you consider that New York has been one of the largest states (population-wise) in the U.S. for that entire period of time -- and THE largest for most of those 63 years.
Rudy/Julie loved to cross-dress.
1) There was an appearance with Julie Andrews at a New York City Dinner.
2) There was the SNL appearance
3) There was another incident where he dressed in drag to do a comedy skit with Donald Trump.
4) He offered to appear dressed in Drag for Showtime's Homosexual porn show, "Queer as Folk."
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.
One question, does the Mayor of New York City make an oath to "protect and defend the Constitution of the United States of America, against all enemies, foreign or domestic", or doesn't he? It is part of the oath I made but, maybe Rudy promised something else, to someone else, or maybe he had his fingers crossed, behind his back!
Good intentions? More pavement for the road to Hell, or New York City!
Next election may be my last, if I get that far. No way will I waste my vote, next time, and you can read this as a solemn oath!
I am not wrong, in my stance, Rudy was, and is. I won't change my mind, but Rudy best change his, or I will work against him, and Hilary, without discrimination.
I am a big "R" Republican, not in the game for power or money, I'm here for "Freedom". "If you ain't here after what I am here after, you will be here after I'm gone"!
Enjoy your trip to NYC, if that is the best you can do!
I'd rather spend the time changing the oil in my motorscooter!
Have you ever seen "Queer as Folk?" Ewwwww....
You find that picture alluring?
Not that there's anything wrong with that.
"Enjoy your trip to NYC, if that is the best you can do!"
You don't know who you're talking to. I'm hosting the 2nd annual Texas Cowboy memorial shoot next month and I'm a volunteer for the RNC. I've written everyone on the immigration problem - I use Numbersusa.com - and practically everyone about the bogus Gardasil fraccas and Perry's asinine power trip.
You're as entitled to your opinions about Rudy as I am, but you are not welcome to make remarks about whatever "the best I can do" may be.
Now, lighten up and go change your oil. ;o)
Richard Daley and even Bloomberg are capable administrators. Rudy is a showboating attention whore who more than deserved the 30% approval rating he had through most of his second term.
"You don't know who you're talking to. I'm hosting the 2nd annual Texas Cowboy memorial shoot next month and I'm a volunteer for the RNC. I've written everyone on the immigration problem - I use Numbersusa.com - and practically everyone about the bogus Gardasil fraccas and Perry's asinine power trip.
You're as entitled to your opinions about Rudy as I am, but you are not welcome to make remarks about whatever "the best I can do" may be.
Now, lighten up and go change your oil. ;o)"
N0, you go "lighten" up, and kiss my arse!
I don't, and won't, beg for My freedom, I just can't get used to the taste of SHIT!
I reckon that I just may have burnt more fookin blackpowder, and smokeless powder, and cast more GD lead and linotype slugs than you have ever had wet dreams about,
Sheeat, my ancestors are credited with making more than a few of the "first totally American rifles".
My ancestrel name is recorded in American history, as a family of gun makers, long before Sam Colt, or Jake Hawken,ever got off the boat!
Tellya what, Texas, you sound good, but so does a fart on a hot skillet!
You may be a fookin RKBA hobbyist, but I reckon that you may just sell your ass off, when the price is right
Just you bend right over, and kiss your ass goodbye, sorry, my backbone just won't stretch that far!
Giuliani, a "Republican"? Sheeate!
I reckon that if you had to choose,between your fooking bottom line, and freedom, your GD swimming pool mortagage, would prevail!
Sweetie, YOU DON'T HAVE A CLUE of who YOU ARE TALKING TO!
If the GOP gets wishy washy on RKBA, scrooyou!
I WILL NOT CAST THE ONLY VOTE I HAVE FOR,A LITTLE CONSTIPATED NYC PISSANT!
Great article! Thanks much.
I would like our next president to go through the CIA--and all the agencies--with a little less "new tone" and a little more "Management Secrets of Atilla the Hun".
I think Rudy can motivate.
Case in point: the current mess with Libby was caused by booting Ashcroft and letting incompetents pass the baton to the totally corrupt prosecutor, seriously crippling the administration's ability to govern.
Make that crippling the president's ability to govern.
In this age where lawyers muscle in [Libby, Haditha, Ramos & Campeon et al], perhaps a lawyer in the Oval Office can tell them to "geddoudahere".
Fred Thompson for vice-president after his comments on today's verdict.
Very good point. Thanks.
Thanks for the ping, Phil. I agree, Fred talked impressively today.
"My ancestrel name is recorded in American history, as a family of gun makers,"
I'm so happy for you that you are so !#$^@$&@*& proud of your !#!#&!&! heritage. !@&%@!&!&% off.
What does he win, Chester? Pick a door, swamphat, and don't let it hit ya! Rudy won't miss your vote, anyhoo.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.