Grumbling in Giuliani camp follows revelation of wife's second previous marriage

Charleston Daily ^ | 3/24/07 | staff

[pissant]

Rudolph Giuliani's wife, Judith, will ``continue to play an important role'' in his presidential campaign, his spokesman said -- despite grumbling from within the ex-mayor's circle that her involvement is creating tensions in the organization. Friday's statement of solidarity came from campaign spokesman Michael McKeon one day after Giuliani's third spouse confirmed publicly that she has been divorced twice, not once, as widely reported when they wed. She was married to a man named Jeffrey Ross, now of Florida, from 1974 to 1979.

``She's going to continue to play an important role in the campaign, traveling with her husband, introducing him at various events, and at the appropriate time, doing her own travel -- and helping people see Rudy Giuliani as the man that he is,'' McKeon said.

In private statements, some Giuliani loyalists said she directly intervenes with senior staff -- who have been with him for many years -- on matters from scheduling to event planning and use of personnel, sometimes in ways that the staffers might wish to resist but dare not.

``She's, uh, feisty, as they say,'' said a supporter, a one-time aide. ``She will be the most media-covered first lady of them all -- you can be sure of it. This is going to be one big opera. The staff people go a little nuts. They can't say anything.''

When asked of any tensions caused by her role, McKeon said: ``She is a positive force for Rudy, a very strong supporter for Rudy, and nothing but an asset to him and the campaign.''

Staffers for Barbara Walters were preparing Friday to interview the couple next week for an installment of the TV show ``20/20.''

Some in the Giuliani camp said her role is typical for a politician's spouse.

But she has been drawing exceptional notice on several fronts. Another supporter of his presidential run was critical of her introduction for him at a recent Manhattan fundraiser. She spoke of being able to ``pick up the phone as Judith Giuliani,'' for example, to obtain high-level help for out-of-town volunteers after the Sept.11 disaster, and of how they, as a couple, became a ``successful team.''

[trisham]

Giuliani has all the appeal of Bill Clinton.

[calcowgirl]

I was just looking to see if I could find out when that press conference was (from EEE's pic).
This might be it:

New York Times - Mar 31, 1995

Seeking to raise his profile as a spokesman for the cities, Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani came to the capital today ...

But Mr. Giuliani also staked out some positions that put him at odds with many Republicans in Washington, calling for national gun control regulations and warning against some provisions of the welfare bill recently approved by the House.

He marked the 14th anniversary of the assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan by joining the former Presidential press secretary, Jim Brady, and his wife, Sarah, and other officials at a news conference intended to counter a House Republican drive to repeal the assault weapons ban enacted last year. "It's really amazing that we're still here debating about what has to be done about handguns and what has to be done about guns in general," said Mr. Giuliani.

It was the Mayor's first Washington appearance on gun control since he discomfited Republicans by helping President Clinton resuscitate the Federal crime bill last year. ...

[EverOnward]

``What people don't know is that Rudy's a very, very romantic guy. We love watching `Sleepless in Seattle.' Can you imagine my big testosterone-factor husband doing that?''

The gag-o-meter on full-throttle here. I just don't see little Rudy as a sex machine. Just yuck. TMI

[trisham]

Romantic guys don't like watching "Sleepless in Seattle". John Edwards might, however.

[juliej]

Why on earth are you attacking mr? I think this marriage will work and I am glad about that. Rudy is not my cup of tea because of his pro abortion politics.

[Alberta's Child]

Nobody is attacking you. I just thought this was an odd statement for someone to make unless they knew the people involved:

I like Judy - I think they are a good match.

Pardon my cynicism, but the last time we saw this much scrutiny and fawning over a married couple in politics, we were dealing with this pair of loony-tunes . . .

[Mogger]

I'd say Rudy is falling apart, but that would mean he had a chance.

If he makes it on the ballot, that will be the end of that.

I doubt a gun grabber that has no clue what the second amendment is about will get many votes here.

[wolfcreek]

"Sure. That's why he's been polling as the number one candidate in the nation since before he even announced."


Historically, front runners, especially this early in the campaign, rarely become the nominee. Being a poll-chaser is very unbecoming.

[Peach]

In the last 14 presidential elections, the Republican presidential candidate who led for the nomination in the Gallup poll conducted closest to one year before the Republican convention did become, 12 months later, the presidential nominee.

http://www.creators.com/opinion/mark-shields/roadmap-to-predicting-the-2008-presidential-nominees.html

[wolfcreek]

"The Republicans are more like the Rotary club. If you're recording secretary, this year, you can expect to be sergeant-at-arms next year, and president two years after that. When I was covering the 1996 Iowa caucuses, I asked one dedicated party chair in Ottumwa why he was backing front-runner Bob Dole. His answer is one I have never heard from a Democratic county chairman: "It's his (Dole's) turn." One Republican friend explains it this way: "We're the royal party. We believe in orderly succession."


This goes back to what I said before. Rudy doesn't have the qualifications to be the Repub nominee. It's definitely not Rudy's turn.

[juliej]

I would never hold the McGreevey "family" as one to follow. However, it seems that Rudy and Judy are happy - I have the impression she is willing to be second banana while Donna Hanover like the publicity, the bit parts on Law and Order, the limo, the stationery, all the status.

[Alberta's Child]

You might be right. But my question is whether you or I know any of these people well enough to elevate that "impression" above the level of mere speculation.

[juliej]

Let's put it this way: I am friendly with one of the former deputy mayors.