Giuliani is GOP's best shot against Hillary, said Ford

NY Daily News ^

[Sadecki]

Jerry Ford wasn't sure Hillary Clinton could be elected President, but he was absolutely certain which Republican had the strongest shot at stopping her: Rudy Giuliani.

"That would be a great contest between Hillary and Rudy," the 92-year-old former President told a reporter in May 2006.

"I think Giuliani is an electrifying guy," he added. "He's a great speaker. He's had a good record of winning in New York City, and he can be tough."

Ford had gotten to know the former mayor at various political and corporate events over the years - both were members of the World Trade Center Memorial Foundation, for example - and often spoke admiringly of Giuliani's performance in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks.

He thought so highly of Giuliani, in fact, that when speculating in 2004 about potential replacements for Vice President Cheney in the unlikely event President Bush decided to make a change, Ford put Giuliani at the top of his list.

Officially, he remained scrupulously neutral in the 2008 GOP primary contest. A few months before his death in December 2006, however, Ford was asked by an old friend to predict who the Republican nominee would be.

He smiled and replied: "Well, if they want to win, Giuliani. He's really good, he's articulate - he's just a leader."

[EternalVigilance]

Exactly. Why even hold elections, you might ask ...

I might. In fact, I might state that our selection process is becoming downright Soviet. Yes, you still get to vote, but only for those pre-selected by the elites.

[farmer18th]

He did not say that FReepers would like him. He did say that, if the GOP wants to win, Rudy has the best shot making that happen.

He also said He would win the presidency. Was he wrong then and right now, or wrong then and wrong now?

Asking Jerry Ford how to win anything but a district election is something like asking a poodle-groomer to tame an alligator. He was wrong on issues and wrong on strategy. If you want to destroy both our 2008 chances and our long term chances, nominate Rudy.

[mad_as_he$$]

Sarcasm is lost on some here. Hey I got it!!!

[Tax-chick]

Ford was NEVER elected to office from a national ballot.

Since President Ford didn't realize that he was a loser (as a Presidential candidate - he was a contributor in other ways) and didn't recognize that Bob Dole was a loser (same criterion), then why would anyone think his opinion of a candidate's chances is anything but an opportunity to guffaw?

[perfect_rovian_storm]

Who cares?

Just ask Presidents Mondale, Dukakis, Gore, and Kerry just how accurate those head-to-head matchups are at this point in the season.

I don’t see Rudy exactly setting the world on fire in the head-to-head matchups either.

[Earthdweller]

Are you one of the “elite” media who are purposely Dunk’in Duncun or are you just a toadie follower? Inquiring minds and the sheeple want to know.

[Tax-chick]

I might state that our selection process is becoming downright Soviet.

I think there's a real attempt at that. However, as of right now, the pot is full of candidates from both parties, and the claims that anyone, either side, is Anointed aren't impressing a lot of people.

Why, we still may see Al Gore in the race, and that will be a Fun Game!

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

Do some home work or just go for your favorite son or a fake popularity name recognition media driven poll.

[CottonBall]

Wrong. Rino Rudy will split the party leading to a dem win if he is nominated.

A good example of that is the current RINO WH occupant, who has started the splitting of the GOP. The GOP lost 8% of the white vote in 2006 compared to 2004 and would've retained both houses without that loss. And now we can't come together on a candidate that actually follows the party platform that we're so worried about losing to Hillary. Beating Hillary should be a slamdunk - she comes with so much baggage and negative PR. It should be easy to beat her - unless the GOP runs another RINO.

[Ol' Sparky]

Who cares what some RINO President that nominated John Paul Stevens to SCOTUS thought, especially now that he is dead?

[perfect_rovian_storm]

Let's all have a gander at what you consider 'reasoned discourse':

Now, whether you like Rudy or not, he is the only candidate currently announced who is capable of defeating X42's spouse.

[Hydroshock]

Yep.

[upchuck]

I’m wondering why the NY Daily Snooze would recycle something that’s a year and a half old.

The political landscape has changed a bunch since then.

[Earthdweller]

"...I might state that our selection process is becoming downright Soviet.."

Actually it's more like a stealth European Monarchy with Commie moles in the Media and lots of incest in the mix.

[Jeff Head]

No.

[Perchant]

Ford Says Reagan Can’t Win
Pay-Per-View - Washington Post - ProQuest Archiver - Feb 18, 1976President Attacks Reagan, Says He Can’t Win National Election. President Ford, attacking Ronald Reagan for his stands on Social Security and the transfer of ...

Related web pages
***
First thing that shows up in google archive news when you search “Reagan can’t win”.

[EternalVigilance]

Either way, it isn’t “of, by, and for the people.”

[Tax-chick]

the 92-year-old former President told a reporter in May 2006.

Good catch.

The recent newsbits on President Ford's opinions must be coming from the book just published by the interviewer.

[Earthdweller]

Been like that for a hundred years or more, or whenever the NY times first printed propaganda. Baaahhh.

[ElkGroveDan]

Now, whether you like Rudy or not, he is the only candidate currently announced who is capable of defeating X42's spouse.

You are so wrong. He is the one candidate that is certain to guarantee a loss.

There is vast sector of the electorate who vote based on ideology. They don't calculate strategy. They don't vote for the lesser of two evils. They vote for the person they agree with. If they don't see someone they agree with they wait until next time. Rudy will NOT get these people out of their busy lives and to the polls. It's that simple.

Don't tell me how stupid they are or how wrong or spiteful they are. They are what they are, and they won't go out to vote for a liberal just because he has an R next to his name. Period.