Posted on 03/21/2007 6:08:05 AM PDT by veronica
March 21, 2007 -- RUDY Giuliani's supporters call him "America's Mayor." But he is something more: the first serious presidential candidate in history with a vowel at the end of his name. Oddly, so far in this year of ethnic- and gender-identity politics, Rudy's Italian-American heritage hasn't been much of an issue. Much more attention has gone to Hillary's "favorite daughter" campaign, Barack Obama's quest for African-American authenticity, Bill Richardson self-depiction as the first Hispanic candidate and the Mormon beliefs of Mitt Romney.
Almost nobody has focused on Rudy as the Italian Stallion. Yet.
"Italian-Americans aren't usually thought of as an electoral bloc," says Dr. Diane Heith, a political scientist as St. John's University. "They aren't even polled separately."
Nobody even knows how many Italian-Americans there are. The 2000 census reported almost 16 million, making them the fourth largest white ethnic group - and the only one that experienced growth in the last decade. The National Italian American Foundation puts the number at 25 million, close to 10 percent of the population. Either way, it is possible that there are more Italian-American voters than either blacks or Hispanics.
Not only that, Italian-Americans are strategically located. In four states - New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Connecticut - they make up more than 15 percent of the population. They are also heavily concentrated in the key swing states of Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Florida and California. These are mostly Democratic states; the Republicans haven't had a candidate who could challenge in all of them since Ronald Reagan.
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
"Those kind of personal attacks only make you look bad."
Don't compare him to a stallion and I won't compare him to a pony.
Last time I checked, typing wasn't exactly an Olympic sport. :)
Not really but you seem to read more into my post. Are you a psychiatrist? You wanna talk about it?
McKinley, Fillmore, Coolidge, Kennedy and Slick Willy will all be suprised as well.
I liked Allen because he was both a Senator AND a Governor. But, apparently he didn't have what it takes so... Next!
I'm just not sure I trust Rudy. I've NEVER trusted that man, and I don't know if I can bring myself to pull the lever for him. Plus I don't like the precendent of having a pro-abortionist candidate. I'm not sure we'd ever get one that was NOT again if we allow the camel to get its nose under the tent. And I think his "Broken Windows" policing would translate well nationally if I was convinced he would apply it to violating the border, but I'm pretty sure he would not.
From a certain perspective, I agree -- I get annoyed with liberal/moderate 'pubbies 'cause I see them as destructive to the party's charter and goals. But I'd rather have a moderate 'pubbie in the WH than a liberal dem (I'd rather have a Giuliani than a Clinton, for example -- though neither would give me the warm-n-fuzzies). That said, I'd rather have a conservative at the helm than either, which is why I'll support Thompson (if he runs) and/or Hunter in the primary race.
Did I refer to him as a wimp? I just said he would be unable to earn a stud fee.
Loveless marriages aren't good for the children. Staying together and making everyone miserable doesn't make sense in some cases.
"When was the last time we elected a Mayor?"
The last time a NYC mayor was elected to a higher office was when Dewitt Clinton got elected NY governor in 1817. The rest have faded into oblivion.
I didn't write the article.
No Catholic had been President before JFK. There are no absolutes in politics.
Are you reaching out for psychiatric help? Check the yellow pages.
I consider his experience as an assistant US attorney AND a US Senator to be vastly superior to Rudy's.
LOL! I don't frequent liberal websites, but it's apparent that many of you "Rudy Worshipers" do! You are the liberals here.
Finally I can agree with you :)
It was offensive. It was more then offensive.
I lost my best friend to Leukemia and now I'm God Father to his 5 year old daughter......enough.
The head cheese of the anti-Rudy FReepers frequents liberal websites, and posts anti-Rudy material from them as well. I suspect we'll see many of "your" arguments at liberal sites as time goes on, and Rudy stays on top of the polls.
"....I don't frequent liberal websites,..."
If you want, I can refresh your mind.
I'll pop the popcorn.
I wonder if Rudy could capitalize on being Italian, at least in the Northeast. He's sufficiently immunized against the mafia stereotype to all but the the most extreme moonbats. Zev raises an interesting issue. In his wildest dreams I doubt he imagined that amongst real conservatives his article would largely trigger commentary about Rudy's sex life. There's definitely an Oprah show in waiting there.
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