Posted on 03/14/2007 4:21:46 PM PDT by FairOpinion
Bill Simon, an unsuccessful 2002 California gubernatorial candidate, former federal prosecutor under Giuliani and bedrock social conservative, delivered a spirited intro.
"He comforted us. He inspired us in what was one of the darkest moments in our history," Simon said, extolling Giuliani's leadership after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. "Extraordinary times cry out for extraordinary leadership, and these as such times."
"It would be fair to say that Bill Simon is using his personal cachet to vouch for Giuliani," said Jon Fleischman, a conservative Republican activist and publisher of the Flash Report political newsletter. "Giuliani is a moderate on social issues, yet Simon has been a champion to conservatives on those same issues.
"When I talk to conservatives supporting Giuliani, many of them say, 'I'm putting my faith on what Bill Simon says.' "
First he told a hotel ballroom crowded with conservative GOP delegates that his former boss was "a fellow Ronald Reagan Republican," who cut taxes, cleaned up New York and put "countless career criminals behind bars."
He said Simon explained that Giuliani opposes partial-birth abortions and tax-funded abortions and _ though Giuliani supports domestic partnerships _ he believes marriage is strictly between man and a woman.
"If he (Simon) is endorsing Giuliani, it makes some members of the conservative wing of the party feel safer," said Gaines, a Giuliani convert. "I did have concerns. But with the explanation of how he (Giuliani) would view Supreme Court appointments, I have a level of comfort."
(Excerpt) Read more at scrippsnews.com ...
How is trade free when our hands are tied behind our backs thanks to unelected internationalists who want to make the rules and liberal politicians imposing high tax rates and regulations on American companies.
Tancredo opposes the surge. And yeah, he's unelectable.
In Vermont they consider Howard Dean to be pro-business and too far to the Right in general.
In San Francisco they are already upset with Pelosi.
Here in Ohio we are considered a purple state and yet we elected a radical unionist hippie as Senator. (BTW, the person who called Brown that in the 70's was Vern Riffe, the all-powerful Former Democratic House Leader).
We barely won two elections with a candidate derided on this very thread as not conservative enough, and yet there is still a belief that the country is somehow majority conservative. Some people just don't get out much.
You left out the words....'Start...spreadin...the news....
I'm leaving today.....
I want to be a part of it, New York, New York......
OOOPS, that would be a positive winning candidate.....LOL
If unelected internationalists are preventing us from enacting regulations against trade, they can be my guest. They are helping the American consumer.
As for high tax rates, more competition can force America to reduce taxation and regulation. Believe me, even liberals, when faced with the prospect of an economic crash, will opt for deregulation and lower taxes.
One of the great ironies is the Howard Dean was quite moderate/conservative as governor of Vermont (relatively speaking). He had an A+ rating from the NRA, and cut spending from social programs. He was far more conservative than, say, John Kerry. However, as the sole (credible) Democratic opponent of the war, people quickly began to perceive him as a left-wing candidate. His foot-in-mouth disease didn't help him either. People who yell and make statements like "Republicans haven't had a real job in their life" are usualy seen as politically extreme.
You're from Ohio. Rudy will probably do worse than Bush in your state. Ohio is, generally, socially conservative and fiscally liberal. Like Bush. And the exact opposite of Rudy. But in most states, Rudy will probably outdo Bush.
That sounds like a personal attack on a fine fellow FReeper. Run out of talking points?
David Vitter has stated that if the surge has not worked by the end of the summer we should beging discussing withdrawl. Since he's the latest member of the tough on terror and the unborn team is that peachy keen with the Rudy boosters?
There was only one Reagan. Anyone making an effort to turn the current crop of GOP candidates into the second coming of Reagan, serves no good purpose in my book. However, that doesn't mean they can't support the policies of Reagan. Which are the basic policies of conservatism and the Republican Party.
I think a good conservative would weigh all the issues, from the WOT, to abortion, to big govt v limited govt, gun control and the 2nd amendment, illegal immigration, special rights for gays, global warming, etc etc etc etc. ALL the issues matter.
I think with few exceptions, the GOP candidate field is mostly filled with politicos who would continue prosecuting the WOT, protecting the homeland, defending Israel and winning the battle for Iraq. How things will look on that last issue come Nov 2008, is anyones guess at this point.
I think its crucial that Republicans vote for a candidate that best represents conservatism. Not liberalism. Aside from Rudy, Paul and Hagel, I haven't ruled out any of the other GOP candidates.
I have no interest in supporting any candidate who IMHO has no realistic chance to be sworn in on January 20, 2009.
Under other circumstances I would support Jeb Bush, but he clearly is not an option.
I could live with Romney or Newt as the nominee, although I doubt their chances to win the general. McCain is unfit and I would not support him, but I would most likely end up reluctantly voting for him in the general because the alternative will be worse.
The candidates with even less support now are out of it. They are not going to rise from one or two percent.
So Rudy is my choice because with him I get half a loaf. I am hopeful he would keep his word on SCOTUS appointments, but that is dicey; even Reagan screwed that up.
With Hillary or Obama or any other 'rat we wouldn't get one slice, they would ruin SCOTUS and the thought of either as C-in-C is terrifying. Our Armed Forces don't deserve another pathetic 'rat.
It's not 1980 and we don't have a Reagan. In politics, we have to face facts.
More and more people with impeccable conservative credentials are supporting Giuliani: Simon, Ted Olson, Sen. Vitter, Dave Dreier, Santorum.
"So Rudy is my choice because with him I get half a loaf. I am hopeful he would keep his word on SCOTUS appointments, but that is dicey; even Reagan screwed that up.
With Hillary or Obama or any other 'rat we wouldn't get one slice, they would ruin SCOTUS and the thought of either as C-in-C is terrifying. Our Armed Forces don't deserve another pathetic 'rat. "
An excellent post, hitting what's important.
I think Rudy would indeed keep his word on judicial nominees, but we need to give him a Republican Congress, or else the Dems won't confirm anyone reasonable.
And nuts. As Leno said, it's not good when you need a tranquilizer gun to get a POTUS candidate off the stage.
Ohio is, generally, socially conservative and fiscally liberal. Like Bush. And the exact opposite of Rudy.
Good analysis. Social liberalism is usually permitted only if the state runs it -- like gambling. We also combine high taxes with a miserable level of public services and mass transit. Nothing fun is allowed here in Cincinnati at all. We even have unions with a 1938 mentality and 'rat politicians to match. Not that the 'pub pols are that great -- they aren't.
In fact this state has been going downhill for thirty years. Like Admiral Stockdale, I'm wondering why I am still here.
You are reasoning as a pragmatist. I like that. Keep it up.
Maybe not. We did get Thomas through after an epic battle. One thing about Rudy -- those people complaining (with some justice) that GWB is not fighting enough won't have that complaint with Rudy. He will fight.
"It appears to me that Rudy is going aggressively after the conservative vote," says Pennsylvania Republican and former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum. "He has not ceded that ground to anybody."
Santorum, known nationally for his social conservatism, says Giuliani does a good job of reminding people how he governed as a conservative on crime, welfare and taxes in New York City.
Santorum also believes Giuliani has scored points on social issues with his comments about judges and Supreme Court justices.
"Rudy understands that, on those issues, the courts are where conservatives have been losing the battle," he says. "If he is going to be appointing judges in the Scalia-Thomas (mold), then he is sending a very positive message to conservatives that he understands the importance of having the Constitution interpreted for what it says and not for what people want it to be."
http://www.thebulletin.us/site/news.cfm?newsid=18072197&BRD=2737&PAG=461&dept_id=576361&rfi=6
If Reagan himself was resurrected and endorsed Giuliani, it still won't change Giuliani's liberal record.
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