Posted on 11/13/2007 12:48:07 PM PST by jmyrlefuller
Yes Rudy Giuliani has a lot of explaining to do.
Imagine, the man who served as his chief of prisons and then police commissioner while Giuliani was mayor of New York City has been indicted.
Bernard Kerik, whom President Bush would later nominate for the position of Homeland Security chief based greatly on Giuliani's rave reviews, has been charged with not reporting income, having work done on his home for free and not reporting it, having some one else pay his rent and not reporting it, lying to federal investigators and lying on his federal application for the homeland security position, among other things.
It's not good, but it's also not Giuliani's fault.
The New York Daily News says, "When Rudy Giuliani steps into the cold winter light of Iowa and New Hampshire, Bernie Kerik's shadow will be right behind him."
It turns out that the next hearing in the Kerik case falls smack dab in the middle of the presidential primary season, Jan. 16, 2008. Iowa and South Carolina hit around that time and three weeks later Feb. 5, is "Super Duper Tuesday," when 21 states go to the polls to select the Republican that they want to be their presidential nominee.
But unless Rudy knew of any of Kerik's alleged illegal doings either while he was doing them or after the fact, how exactly is the former mayor guilty of anything except some poor judgment and guilt by association? And why is he being held to a higher standards on this? A "Hubbell-Double Standard" in fact?
If Rudy Giuliani's credibility takes a hit for his association, promotion and friendship with Bernard Kerik, then what about Hillary Clinton and some of her friends, associates, and appointments? Did some one say Webster Hubbell?
You must remember Webb. He was a pal of the Clinton's from way back in Little Rock. In fact he was mayor of that fine town and Gov. Clinton appointed him to the position of chief justice of the Arkansas State Supreme Court in 1983. Hubbell also worked at the Rose Law Firm, where Hillary Clinton was a partner once upon a time.
Once the Clinton's co-presidency hit, Webb found himself sitting in the U.S. Justice Department as associate attorney general. Not bad. Obviously Bill and Hillary knew this man and trusted him enough to be No. 3 at justice.
But in 1994, old Webb pleaded guilty to federal mail fraud and tax evasion charges. It seems he overcharged his former Rose Law Firm clients and didn't tell anyone. Not even Hillary, I imagine. He never reported that "extra" income for the work he never actually did. Hubbell was sentenced to 21 months in the clink in 1995.
But before he resigned in 1994, the Clinton clan reportedly arranged to get him many consulting contracts. He was later indicted for not reporting all of that money, but the courts ruled that independent council Ken Starr had no jurisdiction to indict Hubbell.
While in prison for the Rose Law firm offenses, Hubbell was caught on tape during a telephone conversation apparently protecting Hillary Clinton from legal scrutiny.
While speaking with his wife in 1996 Webb said, "I will not raise those allegations that might open it up to Hillary . . . So I need to roll over one more time." The Washington Post at the time said that he was responding to a White House friend's fear that his legal problems could cause problems for the co-president.
Just when exactly will Hillary Clinton be asked about this "roll over" remark? When will she be asked about her poor judgment in trusting in a man like Hubbell? About her role in appointing him to the justice department?
Don't hold your breath.
When will Hillary be asked about her role in selecting Henry Cisneros as the HUD secretary? He served from 1993-1997 and was charged with making false statements to the FBI during background checks. In 1997 he was indicted on 18 counts of giving false statements and obstructing justice.
In 1999 he accepted a plea deal of one misdemeanor count, no jail time, and a fine. Bill Clinton pardoned him in January of 2001.
How does Hillary feel about that pardon, or the pardons given to the FALN terrorists by her husband? And how does she explain her reported continued relationship with former national security advisor Sandy Berger who stole and destroyed top secret documents from the National Archives?
If Rudy Giuliani has the shadow of Bernard Kerik following him around this primary season, then Hillary has the storm clouds of her years in Arkansas and eight years in the White House hovering over her head. I wonder if anyone will notice.
The Steve Malzberg Show can be heard Monday-Friday from 3 p.m.-6 p.m. Eastern Time on the WOR Radio Network and streaming live at www.wor710.com.
Pinging the Steve Malzberg ping list.
I know it’s been a few weeks since we’ve had a live thread, but if you want to use this as the “de facto” live thread for the week we can do it.
Steve is heard live Monday-Friday, 3-6 PM ET at: http://www.wor710.com/ Call in at 1-800-321-8828. Steve’s Web site is http://www.malzbergtalk.com/
I’m here....
Excellent column.
But unless Rudy knew of any of Kerik's alleged illegal doings either while he was doing them or after the fact, how exactly is the former mayor guilty of anything except some poor judgment and guilt by association?
Rudy did know about Kerik's mob connections before promoting him to Police Commissioner. That's why this is an issue for Rudy's campaign - he chose to make a crooked public official part of his administration, putting personal loyalty above ethics.
If Rudy Giuliani's credibility takes a hit for his association, promotion and friendship with Bernard Kerik, then what about Hillary Clinton and some of her friends, associates, and appointments? Did some one say Webster Hubbell?
Hillary should be held accountable as well. Absolutely.
This is why I am convinced she's praying for Rudy to get the nod - she needs an opponent even more corrupt than she.
Steve please get on the Paul vs Clinton lawsuit.
Steve Malzberg “two-headed radio monster” ping!
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