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.
Hillary has already done her deed. We are arguing over whether or not we support a liberal that shares none of our beliefs over a liberal that shares none of our beliefs.
Go figure? Hillary doesn’t have to do a thing. She is at work through Rudy supporters who will give it all up as conservatives to support another liberal.
Rudy supporters would accuse pro life, pro RKBA, pro marriage conservatives of being for Hillary. The GOP is in shame.
I think the Rudy supporters do not belong here. You may be GOP, but you are NOT conservatives.
I don't buy your premise, but even if true, So what. My primary point stands that trashing Republicans is a bad idea that can only damage the conservative cause and help leftist Democrats.
A recent Fox poll showed McCain doing better against Hillary than Giuliani. A recent Angus-Reid poll showed Mike Huckabee doing as well as Giuliani. There is very little difference in the poll numbers right now.
But, there is good reason to believe lesser know candidates could improve in the polls, especially if they espouse a strong conservative message. There is equally good reason to believe Giuliani's numbers will continue to drop as image from 9/11 fades and his character flaws, liberal record and flip-flopping are exposed.
Okay, just to be clear, I was doing a Rush, (Speaking of Rush) by using an absurdity to highlight absurdity.
Obviously, those who oppose Rudy are not Taliban. Some people have been banned here for being Rudy supporters (I am NOT) that is a bit Talibanish. in my opinion.
It should give some pause however, to the proposed tactic of staying home next Nov 2, if, Rudy is the candidate.
Only an extreme version of conservatism would sit at home and watch HRC and Bill be ushered in to the White House again. IN MY Opinion. See post #92.
While I do not support Rudy, I would never want HRC to rule. Especially with the Congress Democratic as well! That is FULL control folks.
I think that conservatism needs to regroup, get rid of RINO's etc but it must be done smartly by not giving the Enemy the whitehouse. See post # 92. She will destroy in ways that are not now even imaginable. Sure, Rudy is not my guy and would not do a lot of things to my liking but can you imagine Pelosi, Reid and Klinton governing together? NOW to that add this thought. Pelosi, Reid, Klinton and the new Klinton supreme court!
So, principles are important but in War you have to be tactical. An extreme Conservative base that sits home is not tactical or even principled, it's national suicide for the sake of sticking it to the GOP.
If that were true, then why was there so much mud slinging from the left at Rudy when he was Mayor? That's why I'm not buying it. He did some damn fine things for NY that no one had been able to get done for decades.
I'm just tired of all the bad mouthing of Republicans going on. Such actions can do no good.
A Giuliani Candidate is going to struggle to get people to hold their nose to vote for him.
looking in the crystal ball:
He will not get campaign money.
He will not get ground volunteers.
He will NOT have coat tails to help OTHER candidates.
awww darn, I had the crystal ball set for 1996, nope same result with 2008 rinoRudy.
Dole had no attraction to conservative voters. Rudy, undeniably has the same lack of attraction.
the solution remains, no Giuliani = no problem.
I'm sure that will help in '08.
Giuliani's record is more liberal than Bill Clinton's was in Arkansas.
Who are you trying to fool here?
This is why the primary matters.
Unfortunatly I see you are a Hunter supporter. The primary vote matters most for those who are dedicated to a candidate other than the top three. (except ronpaul, he is just plain kooky)
The primary used to be where you could make a statement vote for a non-establishment candidate safely and the frontrunner would pass through. This time I would submit, the primary is where the general election won or lost.
I see support from the center and even anti-Hillary Dems. But with a hard conservative candidate, you can write off any cross over.
In the mean time, there are lots of us who can remember '96 and will refuse to allow foot dragging from the right slow us down. We will send campaign money, and do the foot work that an election requires.
I adore Hunter, I would settle for Fred. I have said as long as Rudy and Paul are out. I can get behind a candidate.
I adore Hunter, I would settle for Fred. I have said as long as Rudy and Paul are out. I can get behind a candidate.
OOps I meant post #172 not #92.
What is it about being a politician in the state of Arkansas vs. New York City that you don't understand? Politicians have to please their electorate, and both did.
That's what you're doing by trying to put a liberal Republican in the White House.
Liberals advance liberalism. Giuliani is a liberal. The Republican party becomes a left-of-center one and conservatism is effectively eliminated from the political process.
Conservatives aren't going to change their minds about the issues, and the intelligent conservatives like Limbaugh, Hannity, and others aren't going away.
The party is bigger than any one man, or any presidential administration.
If Rudy were elected, he would have to choose from Republican applicants for administration jobs. Nominations for judges would have heavy influence from Republican congressmen and senators.
This whole idea that Rudy = Hillary is just a bunch of emotional BS.
not foot dragging is correct.
HOWEVER, not foot dragging and fighting the fight to prevent leftward slids mean RUDY MUST BE DEFEATED.
Giuliani must NOT be the candidate from the primaries.
The way GWBush did not push amnesty?
The way GWBush has been delaying the builing of the border fence?
The way GWBush foot dragged on supporting the Federal Marriage Amendment.
nice try.
No Giuliani, NO PROBLEM.
So did his wife/ex-wife, his kids and Alfonse D'Amato. Have you considered Rudy is an unlikable sort of guy?
Working to defeat one nominee, rather than helping your nominee get elected, is the problem. Those who you persuade to vote against Rudy because he's the anti-christ won't vote for him next Nov either, thus helping Hillary.
Knock, knock, knock, is this thing on???
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.