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I think you have to look at his record in the context of the environment he was in. It is easy to stand for rigid theoretical principles when you live in a safe, rural or exurban environment. But when you are trying to bring order out of the chaos that was NYC, marshall law was probably the only way it could be accomplished.

I do think that one part of Rudy's support comes from the "law-and-order" conservatives, who don't seem to mind taking away a little liberty when "necessary" because of how bad things are.

I've noticed there are a lot of posters to FR that seem to feel law enforcement can do no wrong, criminals deserve whatever they get no matter how trivial the crime, people can't be trusted with freedom and instead require authority. There is a lot more "ends justifies the means" postings than I remember from even a couple years ago when I first showed up.

There is a fine line between a "tough, no nonsense leader" and a dictatorial egolomaniac with delusions of grandeur.

I do tend toward the law-and-order side, and like to give enforcement the benefit of the doubt (although you'd hardly believe that looking at my posts from the last few months). But I've been so alarmed by the rampant "whatever we do to stop crime/terrorism/illegals/liberals is OK, no matter what the cost to personal liberty, common decency, or basic humanity" arguments, that I've been essentially taking a hard line against it lately, just to try to balance things out.

Completely agree. Personally, I oppposed the Patriot Act, but I cannot deny that it has been quite effective in preventing another 9/11.

I also personally hate NYC. It's too much like Disneyland to me. Highly controlled and all facade. But I cannot deny that it functions well, and therefore as a businessperson myself must admire the leadership that accomplished it.

Imagine Giuliani in the situation Bush finds himself in with Gonzales? Do you think Giuliani would go in there, apologize, admit that mistakes were made, allow the Dims their publicity stunt charade? I don't think so.

One man's tough law and order Republican is another man's dictatorial egomaniac, there's no denying it. And once you start fooling with liberty, it is a very dangerous game.

In Rudy's defense, let me just say I doubt that he sees the state of the USA to be parallel to that of NYC as far as initiating marshall law. If he does, I will fight him all the way, as I did Bush with the Patriot Act and Harriet Miers.

Having supported Giuliani with money, time and a vote, I'll at least have some influence into the decisions, as opposed to supporting someone who can't win and then having no influence.