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 ...
Highly assimilated group, much to their credit.
LOL! I hope not. But since he's running for president of the poor people - I'm sure we will catch him primping again.
In polls, instead of white or caucasian, I always list myself as other, and then describe as Italian-American. I can't stand the idea of Rudy for GOP candidate but at least his family kept the full Italian name.
Are you an idiot, or something? Or did you forget about John Kerry, or Barry Goldwater?
Not really, the bot thing seems to pop up every few years attached to someone. Some have taken it as their own and use it as a badge of honor, some object and believe it condescending.
The title alone should include a barf alert.
He was fooling around in a pretty public way while having children aged 10 and 14 at the time. I wonder about a guy who does not think about his children first.
Shortly after 9/11 Rudy gave a pretty good speech to the UN regarding terrorism. It was good speech. Eventually Giuliani would make millions giving such speeches. Speeches he charged a lot of money for that he'd never have given if not for the deaths of many people. That strikes me as a bit tacky. Making money off the dead. But hey, it's a free country and if people want to give him money....
After 9/11 Giuliani was bascially a PR guy for NY and a guy who's task was cleaning up a big mess. That was a big job which involved a lot of people and Giuliani was the "face" of. But he did't stop the terror attacks so I don't understand why electing him president would make the US safer.
As far as I can the best thing Giuliani has going for him is that he's not Hillary.
My husband's entire extended family. and our own.
It does on DU.
Mayoral candidate Rudy went after the Liberal Party endorsment because he said his family (and friends) were embarrassed to vote for a Republican.
Just another Rudeo liberal dropping.
We need a War Horse. Not a Miniature Shetland.
I grew up in one of those heavily Italian states. I know those people. They will vote for Rudy and do so proudly.
I don't think there is any doubt that his candidacy will renew a moribund Republican party in the NE. I keep watching, partly because that priest that took on Shawn Hannity might just straighten Rudy out, too. Its early, yet.
This "Italian American" will be voting for a conservative in the primary, hopefully Thompson, if he ever decides to get off his tush and declare.
I remember listening to inlaws and outlaws arguing against JFK because he was Catholic. These folks were staunch anti-Republican "Union First" thugs, but hated Catholics more than the Evil Republicans.
Fred Thompson is a good man, and has tremendous potential. He lacks experience however. Put him on a ticket with Rudy and the ticket lacks for nothing. A great combo.
You bet they will. My family is Italian American and they will be voting for him in the primaries.
Isn't that a dumbass statement?
California is a "swing state"? Since when?
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