The Right Man for Our Times: Steve Forbes Editorial on Rudolph W. Guiliani for President

Forbes Magazine ^ | 4/23/07

[meg88]

Rudy Giuliani would make a superb president. He combines Reaganesque vision with extraordinary attention to detail.

He is strong on national security and also has the principles and policies to strengthen the economy. He is a tax cutter and a foe of the federal income tax's complexity.

Rudy Giuliani is not afraid of trying to do Big Things. He successfully tackled the welfare mess in New York City, even before the welfare reform act of 1996. By the time he was through, welfare rolls had been cut nearly 60%.

In short, he is not afraid to pursue major structural changes, even in the face of the conventional wisdom and an entrenched status quo political establishment.

When he took office the city faced a horrendous deficit. He was strongly advised to raise taxes. The new mayor made the point that he was not a tax booster by sending those proposals to the dumpster. Instead, he cut taxes and spending.

Giuliani kept the average growth of government spending at nearly half the growth of the city economy. That restraint was in stark contrast to the growth in federal spending ...

Giuliani cut or eliminated 23 taxes. The overall tax burden for a New York City resident went down a remarkable 17%.

Giuliani was also successful in battling a bloated bureaucracy. While he deliberately increased the numbers of police and teachers, he whacked away at the employment rolls everywhere else.

During Giuliani's tenure the Big Apple's economy blossomed: 423,000 new jobs were created. More people were moving into the city than leaving it. That he achieved so much going against a generations-old spend-tax-welfare political ethos is astonishing.

And, of course, his response to 9/11 is legendary--and rightly so.

[EternalVigilance]

Now THAT was a funny post!

[CharlesWayneCT]

Hey, this is a new one though. Rather than reaching into the past, now we are reaching into the future (4/23/2007) for our Rudy posts.....

:-)

[CharlesWayneCT]

Giuliani cut or eliminated 23 taxes. The overall tax burden for a New York City resident went down a remarkable 17%

New York must have really sucked before Rudy, because New Yorker's were still way overtaxed when he was done "cutting" taxes, and I don't think MY city even HAS 23 taxes, much less 23 that could be cut or eliminated.

The fact that Bloomberg was able to make such a great improvement in New york during the time right after Rudy was gone shows that, while Rudy took them a long way, they had a long way to go. Bloomberg's had a harder time of it, but still making great headway.

It's not hard to lose the first 50 pounds if you weigh 300 pounds to start with.

[xzins]

Is Forbes a baby-killer, too?

Probably just another money conservative with no moral framework beyond that.

[highball]

“Like most legends, this one is a myth.”
Sorry you don’t like him, but don’t lie about him.

No myth - Rudy's 9/11 performance is not as spotless as some would like to believe.

Rescue efforts were hampered, for example, by Rudy's inexplicable decision to place the emergency command center right smack dab in the middle of a known terrorist target.

[highball]

Sorry, that should be "No lie - Rudy's 9/11 performance is not as spotless as some would like to believe."

Terrible proofreading this afternoon.

[Petronski]

*snort*

You made me snort!

[beltfed308]

I would go one step further. After 3 attacks what specifically has Rudy done to fight terrorism other than be a victim of it?

[Ultra Sonic 007]

He is strong on national security

So you say. Pro-Gun Control and Pro-Illegal Immigration =/= "strong on national security.

Giuliani kept the average growth of government spending at nearly half the growth of the city economy. That restraint was in stark contrast to the growth in federal spending ...

Maybe at first.

And, of course, his response to 9/11 is legendary--and rightly so.

"Legendary?"

Perhaps Forbes should remove the rose-colored glasses. What exactly was it that Rudy did after 9/11 that was more heroic than that of the firemen who went up into the Twin Towers? Or of the members of Flight 93, who truly ARE legendary?

[Dick Vomer]

gee, that’s it. If Forbes thinks he’s good then by all means..... I think Rudy would be a .......great drag queen or democrat candidate.

[dirtboy]

Forbes to Commisioner Kerik Gordon: "Light up the Rudy Signal!"

[wagglebee]

And, of course, his response to 9/11 is legendary--and rightly so.

Well, I'm still waiting to find out what specifically he did other than get in the way. I wonder though, is Bernard Kerik part of this "legend"?

[SWAMPSNIPER]

” Some people should really try and get out of NYC more.”

---

No, Hell no, keep them where they are, we have enough of their mess down here already.

[dforest]

And, of course, his response to 9/11 is legendary mythical--and rightly so.

I fixed that that which was said to be more correct.

heh heh. I bet you might agree with that! lol

[dirtboy]

After 3 attacks what specifically has Rudy done to fight terrorism other than be a victim of it?

Well, he stubbornly refused to move the NY emergency management center away from the WTC, despite strong concerns from emergency professionals about having it in the middle of a known terrorist target.

He pushed for federal gun control laws after the 1997 Empire State shootings, while refusing to call such a terrorist attack.

And he pushed a corrupt crony for the most important anti-terror job in the country - and now claims he doesn't recall a briefing in 2000 where he was told the same person might have mob ties - as a nominee for Police Commish.

Yeah, Rudy's the guy to fight the WOT. /sarcasm

[Mickeys Big Hand]

Nice try, Steve!

[lilylangtree]

Then let him run for governor of NY.

[meg88]

lol, Is that the official Rudy FR 08 grahpic!

[SmoothTalker]

One phony endorsing another.

[neocon1984]

In the real world, it’s far more likely that 300 pounders will gain 50 than lose it. The socialist paradise that Rudy inherited is much better off for his efforts. That others are building on them seems to provide further validation.

You can criticize Rudy for his social liberalism and thus, demonstrate intellectual honesty. However, to undermine his accomplishments as Mayor is disingenuous.