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.
You mean like Mussolini was 100x better than Hitler?
Pure stupid BS.
Sparky's comment is HARDLY BS. In fact, it is RIGHT ON THE MARK!!
As I say ad nauseum on here...
Liberal Republicans like Giuliani are MUCH MORE DANGEROUS than liberal democrats,,,
because LIBERAL Republicans like Rudy BLUR THE DISTINCTION between conservatism and liberalism,,,
MAKING LIBERALISM MUCH MORE ACCEPTABLE!!!!
To borrow your words, "THAT'S JUST THE FACTS"!
You frankly forget the core, and you conveniently skip the campaign process.
Most of the grassroots manpower (especially in the South) comes from anti-Rudy Republicans. Whereas, a majority of these folks (probably a bare majority at that) might be able to be arm-twisted into voting for Rudy, the fact is that the rest of what's needed for the Republican bandwagon won't be there...the volunteers will tend to evaporate and & $ raised will pale in comparison to the Dems.
Empower? Well, if you think "anemic" is empowering...
Hating liberalism is always a good thing.
Firstly, I take issue with you having the gall to speak for "millions" of conservatives.
Secondly, this conservative will support whomever the Republican nominee is, because this country CANNOT afford another 8 years of a Clinton presidency, and make no mistake, that is what we will have.
Thirdly, unlike you, I believe that Conservatives ALWAYS place their country above themselves. Conservatives are principled, not selfish. So, I believe, and I don't presume to speak for "millions of Conservatives", that TRUE Conservatives will recognize that while Rudy, or Fred, or Mitt or McCain may not be their ideal candidate, agreeing with someone 50% is better than agreeing with them not at all, and will vote to protect our country.
Fourthly, by purpose or design, allowing Hillary Clinton to become POTUS, is despicable and a slap in the face of those in uniform who serve our country. Hillary is unprincipled, you will agree. She serves at the whim of the psychiatric wing of the Democrat party, as represented by Pete Stark, John Murtha, Ted Kennedy and Dick Durbin. These people do NOT support our troops, they do NOT support the mission and DO support returning our country to the days of talk the talk, and never walk the walk. They will NOT respond to attacks on our country, and WILL support the steady march toward socialism and, inevitable, despotism.
In short, not doing everything humanly possible within the law to avoid a Hillary Presidency, is myopic, selfish and irresponsible. It has nothing to do with "principles" and everything to do with intransigence, selfishness, and irresponsibility.
When I became a citizen of this great country, I pledged allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands and I will do whatever I can, under the Law, to defend my country. Hillary Clinton and her cabal of Leftists will harm my country. So whatever I need to do, under the Law, I will do to ensure that no harm comes to my country.
So, if my choice is Rudy or Her Thighness, I will work day and night to ensure that Rudy becomes POTUS.
“’We’ve got to find a way to be more inclusive,’ Giuliani said. ‘Christianity is all about inclusiveness.”
No, Rudy, it is not. You’re spouting the “religious” left’s WCC-style false doctrine. Christianity is about just the opposite...
Jesus said, “I am the way and the light. None come to the Father but by me.”
Here endeth the Gospel.
Nope, the enemy outside your camp rallies you, the enemy in your tent kills you.
There's one reason I don't fear a Hillary Presidency as much as I fear a Rudy one--if you go over to DU, you'll see that they're beating up with regularity on Nancy Pelosi for failing to defund the war, and impeach the President. Hillary knows damn good and well that we cannot simply withdraw troops in a quick retreat from Iraq, the resultant bloodbath would both be on her hands, and would justify President Bush's policies all at once. Her failure to immediately withdraw from Iraq would enrage the leftwingers, and she'll instantly lose their support, as they feel like they have been betrayed. The division in the Rat party would be immense.
I fear the same for the Republicans in a Rooty presidency, the first time he nominates a pro-abort SCOTUS justice.
There, I fixed it for you. No need to thank me.
As the Gipper so eloquently stated,
"So, it was our Republican Party that gave me a political home. When I signed up for duty, I didn't have to check my principles at the door. And I soon found out that the desire for victory did not overcome our devotion to ideals".
--Ronald Reagan remarks at the Republican National Convention in New Orleans, August 15, 1988.
Many of the Rudy apologists will be 'checking theirs at the door'!!
But, liberal Republican will not only not empower conservatives, but will move the party to left.
A liberal Republican is much more likely to get liberal legislation passed than a liberal Democrat. Republicans are much more likely to resist liberal legislation pushed for by a Democrat than a Republican like Giuliani.
A liberal Republican President guarantees no conservative in the White House until 2016.
The election of Giuliani all but guarantees the GOP has no chance of taking back Congress for a decade. The party in the White House almost always loses seats in Congress over the course of a Presidency. That will be especially true of Giuliani reaches office and drives conservative southerners back to conservative Democrats in Congress. Meanwhile, a Hillary Clinton Presidency could result in Republicans gaining back Congress by 2010.
Voting for a liberal results in liberalism. If you too stupid to understand that, you deserve everything that will occur. I don't want to see people like you whine about it if Giuliani is unelectable or if he reaches office and betrays something you believe in. You've been warned of the consequences.
Idiotic post, inspired by intellectual vacuity...
You demean the tragedy wrought upon the millions that died at the hands of the fascists dictators.
The moment you start comparing anyone in US politics to Hitler or Mussolini, you've lost the argument.
The comparison is just plain stupid.
Your salt has lost its season.
Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.
I am literally taken aback by the “men” in this election cycle. Holy Cow, men are giving it all up out of fear of an old marxist woman! Amazing.
Come on guys, women like strong men, where are ye?
Hillary and the “other woman” Rudy, have caused you to dump your principles for no other reason than fear.
I would have, at least, expected you to fight for the family, and liberty, over the two that want to restrict you the most.
I may not vote out of total disgust.
By the way, Ol’Sparky, this excludes you, I know you are up for the fight!
I think that you have the wrong website. You might be more at home at Stormfront, especially with a screen name like that.
Amen. Plus the Hillary scare overlooks that after Bill's 8 years his approval rating was higher than Bush's. A GOP win depends on the surge. If troops are still getting killed at election time, more Bush will not be in vogue.
Hill will be gone in 2012 if the GOP nominates a conservative - with Rudy it will be liberals forever in both parties.
I think we are gaining traction with the
NO Giuliani = NO PROBLEM
mantra
The fact is the most divisive candidate is Giuliani.
Giuliani is as big a waste of time as Ronpaul because Giuliani IS Hillary.
So Sparky, does that mean you were a Grey Davis supporter?
Here Here... good post
Translation:
back to clinton, character does not count.
people are missing.
NO GIULIANI, NO PROBLEM
If you think the Republican Party is just NOT LIBERAL ENOUGH,,,,and iasn't moving to the left fast enough,,,and you want to ACCELERATE that leftward movement,,,
a LIBERAL like Rudy is the RIGHT MAN AT THE RIGHT TIME!!
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