Posted on 10/20/2007 10:21:39 AM PDT by Ol' Sparky
Former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, walking into a political lion’s den, told the year’s largest gathering of social conservatives that he is “not always the best example of faith” but that their similarities are much greater than their differences.
“Isn’t it better that I tell you what I really believe instead of changing all my positions?” Giuliani told an audience of 2,000 at the Family Research Council's Values Voters Summit at a Washington hotel. “I believe trust is more important than 100 percent agreement.”
The audience, generally hostile to Giuliani, recognized the shot at former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, and laughter and a few cheers spread across the room.
The former mayor, who left the stage grinning amid applause after his 40-minute speech, went for an authenticity contrast with Romney, substituting his law and order credentials for the family values emphasis of Romney, a long-married father of five.
Giuliani paid obeisance to the group’s concerns by speaking at length about his support for school choice, home schooling, conservative judges and Israel.
All drew earnest – even enthusiastic – applause. He also gave a detailed plan for reducing abortions and increasing adoptions, the meatiest policy element of his speech.
It was the “everything but” approach – he could agree with the audience on almost everything except whether a woman should be able to choose an abortion, which he supports.
"You and I know I’m not a perfect person,” he said. “I pray for forgiveness, I pray for strength.... I feel my faith deeply, although perhaps more privately than others, because of the way I was brought up.” He said he had prayed to God at the toughest parts of his life.
“During our lives, at some time, all of us need forgiveness,” he added. “If we expect perfection from our political leaders, we’re just asking for disappointment .... We lose trust when they’re not honest with us.... I don’t always agree with myself. [Laughter] … You’ll always know where I stand.... I will continue to extend my hand to you. I hope you’ll take it.”
Giuliani showed humor, noting that he almost entered seminary: “I know that’s hard to believe.” Noting that he attended Catholic school, he said the first school he attended where a prayer wasn’t said at the beginning of the day was the New York University School of Law.
He said that on the first day, out of confusion, he made the sign of the cross. “I looked around and realized people were staring at me,” he joked.
Giuliani pointed out that as New York mayor, he reduced murder, drugs, prostitution and other vices. "I don't believe in inevitable decline," he said, adding he shares President Ronald Reagan's belief in optimism.
"You put Republican ideas into action.... We got results. Humbly, I would say, the best results anyone in that time got in government."
"We drove pornography out of Times Square and other public spaces," he said, drawing hearty applause. "The pornographers lost and they were driven out of Times Square."
Instead of pandering to the group, Giuliani held his ground.
“We’ve got to find a way to be more inclusive,” Giuliani said. “Christianity is all about inclusiveness. It’s built around the most profound act of love in human history, isn’t it? … I’m running for president of the United States because I believe I can bring us together. Strong leadership can help us find common solutions to our problems.”
Giuliani drew laughter by saying he spends as little time in Washington as possible: “I’m afraid there’s something in the air here.”
“I’m not going to pretend that I can be all things to all people,” he declared. “I’m just not like that.”
But he added, in another dig at Romney, “I’ll always be honest with you.... You will always know where I stand.”
“You have absolutely nothing to fear from me,” Giuliani went on, adding that he was puzzled by those who make him out to be some kind of liberal activist: “Just read any New York Times editorial when I was mayor of New York City.” That got a big laugh.
Giuliani was speaking to one of the most conservative audiences in American politics. During a Christian worship service from the podium an hour before Giuliani spoke, leader Ron Freeman interspersed the praise hymn “Blessed be the Name” with the hopeful wish:
“We’ve got the right Senate and the Congress!” The prayer included: “We’ve tried hard to make your agenda, our agenda.”
Politico’s Jonathan Martin contributed to this report.
I am pro life, I am pro - gun, and I am anti - gay marriage, but I am first and foremost in this election pro security. Although I really liked what Fred had to say in the last debate about the WOT, I have not seen the passion from him that I need to. Whether you want to admit it or not, after 9/11 Rudy did more to rally the troops than anyone. Even if it was just rhetoric, he had the passion we needed at that time, and he impressed me. He has continued to tell the IslamoFascist world that we will not back down. He told the Saudi prince where he could shove his $10,000,000, and he will continue to tell the rest of the world that we are in charge.
I fear that with a Hillary Presidency we will have an appeaser, and as we can see in Europe today, the more you appease the radicals, the more they demand. I, too someday want Roe V. Wade overturned, but on that day I want to Thank God, and not praise allah.
I am not saying your priorities are wrong, but for me, my family, and my Countrys safety, I can not, and will not help in any way shape or form in getting Hillary in the White House.
LOL, I may be low of oil, but you have ran completely out and blow a gasket. Sparky...
There is Christian Jews, I also hate to point that out.
http://www.jewsforjesus.org/about/statementoffaith
Deal with it.
You are just wasting your time and effort.
I will not vote for Rudy and I sure will not vote for Clintton.
I won't encourage anyone to stay home, I won't have to. It will come naturally. Think Bob Dole.
"I think the Republican party will be remaining the stupid party for decades".
This was a positively brilliant remark. LOL!
Get ready for more of post # 92 then.
Then just come out a say it -- you believe the Republican adulterous, lying, liberal flip-flopper is better than the wife of the Democrat adulterous, lying, liberal flip-flopper.
Character doesn't matter. Being conservative doesn't matter. The only thing that matter is Republicans win.
I really do believe if Bill Clinton were running as a Republican against Hillary Rodham, who has married someone else that had become President, with same record he had in Arkansas, you'd be supporting Bill.
You tellum coder!
The biggest thing ticking me off about this thread is the hatred I see. That's never pretty, especially when directed at a Republican.
If Rudy is the nominee, not voting for him is in fact a vote in favor of Hillary. You might be able to live with the guilt of doing that, but I can't.
Yep, only someone who is CLOSED MINDED could possibly oppose someone with the 'conservative credentials' Rudy has (listed in post #49).. /s Unbelievable....lol
But you ARE 100% correct about single-issue voters, though. Those that oppose a liberal like Rudy because of a single-issue are closed minded--VERY CLOSED-MINDED indeed,,,,
because if you take a step back,,,,and take a deep breath....
and closely analyze Rudy's positions across the board,,,
there are just SO DARN MANY OTHER REASONS TO STRONGLY OPPOSE HIM!!!!! So you do make a very good point....lol
|
|
Giuliani | Clinton | Dem Platform | GOP Platform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abortion on Demand | Supports | Supports | Supports | Opposes |
| Partial Birth Abortion | Supports Opposed NY ban |
Supports | Supports | Opposes |
| Roe v. Wade | Supports | Supports | Supports | Opposes |
| Taxpayer Funded Abortions | Supports | Supports | Supports | Opposes |
| Embryonic Stem Cell Research | Supports | Supports | Supports | Opposes |
| Federal Marriage Amendment | Opposes | Opposes | Opposes Defined at state level |
Supports |
| Gay Domestic Partnership/ Civil Unions |
Supports | Supports | Supports | Opposes |
| Openly Gay Military | Supports | Supports | Supports | Opposes |
| Defense of Marriage Act | Opposes | Opposes | Opposes | Supports |
| Amnesty for Illegal Aliens | Supports | Supports | Supports | Opposes |
| Special Path to Citizenship for Illegal Aliens |
Supports | Supports | Supports | Opposes |
| Tough Penalties for Employers of Illegal Aliens |
Opposes | Opposes | Opposes | Supports |
| Sanctuary Cities/ Ignoring Immigration Law |
Supports | Supports | Supports | Opposes |
| Protecting 2nd Amendment | Opposes |
Opposes | Opposes Supports bans |
Supports |
| Confiscating Guns | Supports Confiscated as mayor. Even bragged. |
Supports | Supports Supports bans |
Opposes |
| 'Assault' Weapons Ban | Supports | Supports | Supports | |
| Frivolous Lawsuits Against Gun Makers |
Supports Filed One Himself |
Supports | Opposes | |
| Gun Registration/Licenses | Supports | Supports | Opposes | |
| War in Afghanistan | Supports | Supports Voted for it |
Supports | Supports |
| War in Iraq | Supports | Supports Voted for it |
Supports Weak support |
Supports |
| Patriot Act | Supports | Supports Voted for it 2001 & 2006 |
Opposes | Supports |
Hatred in liberal speak means conservative. It's ticking you off that many conservatives won't support a Clintonesque liberal.
No. Because you will have built enough Rudy hate during the primary to last until next Nov.
“As you can see they are very much alike.”
Send In The Clones......
Sorry LowOil, Sofaman is correct. Jews for Jesus, Messianic Jews, Whatever you want to call them, are not Jews. Anyone who believes the Man from Nazareth is G-d, is a Christian, not a Jew. Just like Christians are allowed to determine who is a Christian......The Jews get to decide who is Jewish. They is no hybrid Christian-Jew. Only Christians, who were from a Jewish home or upbringing.
Maybe he's not buying the sales pitch that Rudy is in fact a socialist. I don't. If he had been, the NYTimes would have loved him, and they did not.
You make another good point. Do you mean like the 'hatred' by a certain Rudy apologist here earlier on this thread where he called those of us that oppose Rudy 'conservative Taliban'??? Yep, that certainly is hatred.
I think we can figure things out for ourselves and we do not get anything from the Hillary campaign. We just will not support a liberal and that is what Rudy is.
Get a life. I am no threat to Rudy. Rudy is a threat to Rudy. Just wait. You will find that out the hard way.
A liberal may sell in New York...but once his record hits the TV screen. heh, he is toast.
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