Posted on 04/17/2007 6:01:44 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
Then the AP neatly buttonholed questions about whether what is being slyly portrayed as a bourgeoning alternative lifestyle “could damage his campaign” among conservatives and particularly Southerners. The secondary message is that Southerners and conservatives are homophobic and intolerant.
There’s another snide article about Rudy Giuliani in a dress. In the past, the media have gleefully reminded America that Rudy Giuliani has worn dresses during comedic performances such as the one on “Saturday Night Live,” but this April 14 AP article that appears on MSNBC took a different tone, one that leaves the reader with the impression that Giuliani is a transvestite. Along with a big picture of the former mayor “dressed in drag,” as the caption put it, the article elaborated in great giddy detail each time that Giuliani wore a dress or a costume like this:
It is difficult to shock New Yorkers, yet Rudy Giuliani teetered close to the line when he sauntered onto a stage wearing a platinum-blond wig, a face full of makeup, dainty white gloves and a frilly pink gown filled out in all the right places.
(...)
Shortly after winning re-election that year, Giuliani took his feminine side to a national audience. While hosting “Saturday Night Live,” he appeared in one skit as a bosomy, gray-haired Italian grandmother in lipstick and a flowered housedress, with stockings pulled halfway up his calves.
Instead of categorizing his dressing up for what they were, the AP portrayed those instances with a transvestite undertone that the article while making sure the reader knows the vaudeville bits “could significantly damage his chances” in the conservative primaries and in the South. The AP deliberately repackaged Giuliani’s comical performances into a sexually-charged coming out party through phrasing such as “dressed up like a girl,” “cavorting about in women’s wear,” “gender-bending gags,” “seeing him in drag” and descriptions like this:
Giuliani’s first drag appearance, in 1997, featured a breathy Marilyn Monroe impression that was followed by various other female alter-egos over the years, including one that shared a scene with Donald Trump, who groped Giuliani and buried his head between the mayoral breasts.
The AP portrayed the occasions as a gender-bending lifestyle commitment instead of a guy in a dress joking around at special events. Giuliani makes no secret his support of certain social issues and is not ashamed of his “cross-dressing.”
Then the AP neatly buttonholed questions about whether what is being slyly portrayed as a bourgeoning alternative lifestyle “could damage his campaign” among conservatives and particularly Southerners. The secondary message is that Southerners and conservatives are homophobic and intolerant.
The AP used the "Hey, I'm just putting the facts out. I'm not responsible for how people interpret them," technique, that is popular in the media and is often used to send a message without having to say it outright. It is a safety mechanism that allows them to make people understand that message without actually having to say something. It's a sophisticated method of gossiping.
After over five paragraphs discussing his frilly frocks and electability, the AP finally just came out with part of it:
For conservatives who already are leery of backing Giuliani because of his support for abortion rights and other positions on social issues, the feminine clothing may also remind them of his support of gays while mayor — despite the fact that the majority of cross-dressers are not gay.
Still, a poison-pen mailer or e-mail could easily imply a connection, observers say.
“I’m imagining the negative ads — they could use this as sort of an oblique reference to all of those positions,” said Clemson University political scientist Dave Woodard.
So, “a poison-pen mailer or e-mail could easily imply a connection.” Or an AP article. Kudos to the AP for pretending to deliver an LGBT-positive piece that somehow managed to insinuate that there is something wrong with Giuliani.
LOL! Now this sounds soooo familiar doesn’t it?
(((RUDY PING)))
The same ‘unbiased’ MSM covered for Pres. Clinton when he appeared in blackface.
I have to laugh when I’m told the MSM gives Rudy such great press.
I’ve heard a lot of people say this is the best gag to raise money.
Ahhh...now I get it.
The MSM thinks this is a two-fer - bash Giuliani and bash the GOP.
Well images do have their effect. Dukakis in the tank. Kerry in that silly blue jump suit. Rudy in a dress will turn off some voters.
I really think that the people who make fun of Rudy are really jealous and wish they were that secure in their manhood.
Correction to self: Clinton appeared in an Afro wig, not blackface. My bad.
It seems they were bashing Republicans; but I did not see any conservatives bashed in this report (not that the MSM is innocent of this elsewhere).
I am no fan of Rudy's social liberalism but if him in a dress is going to turn off voters for that reason and that reason only, then those voters arent smart enough to be voting.
This is standard practice at the Inner Circle:
Mayor Michael Bloomberg took the stage to roast himself and his wealth with city reporters at the annual Inner Circle Dinner Saturday night.
The mayor danced and sang in his own rendition of Mary Poppins. The spoof lampooned some of the city’s biggest issues like Starrett City and eminent domain, the recent rat problem at a Manhattan restaurant and the city’s education system.
Bloomberg even took on the rumors about a possible White House run, insisting that he has no intentions to enter the race.
But by the end of the show, Bloomberg turned into “Mayor Poppins,” flying out for the weekend to save the rest of the country.
http://www.ny1.com/ny1/content/index.jsp?stid=1&aid=68749
I may be mistaken, but I’ve followed several FReeper threads on Rudy and the issues of his manhood have been questioned by folks on these boards too.
I find it interesting so much is being said about a man that has zero chance of being the GOP nominee for President in 2008.
There is simply no chance a man that is anti gun, pro abortion, pro gay rights will win the primaries.
Thats not even considering the ‘religious right’ envangelicals, who have less use for Rudy than they do McCain.
No you are correct. Those are the ones insecure in their own.
Cheap shots by posters who aren't supporting his candidacy.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.