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Townhall: Thompson Supporters Should Back Giuliani
Townhall.com ^ | Jan 26, 2008 | Jeffrey Anderson

Posted on 01/27/2008 1:04:05 PM PST by RDTF

Even with their candidate out of the race, Fred Thompson’s supporters can make a big impact in Florida. They should do so by supporting Rudy Giuliani.

More than any other candidate, Rudy matches Thompson’s conservative credentials in the three most important areas: he offers a conservative economic policy, an explicit promise to nominate only “strict constructionist” judges, and a strong dedication to national security. On the economy, social issues, and defense, a Giuliani presidency will take the nation in a clearly conservative direction—and he can actually beat Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama in November. With a win—or a strong showing—in Florida, Rudy will be positioned to do very well on Super Tuesday a week later, when New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and California (all strong states for Rudy) all vote. And Thompson supporters can greatly enhance Rudy’s chances in Florida.

Republican presidential hopeful, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, greets supporters as he arrives at a campaign rally at a restaurant in Sarasota, Fla., Saturday, Jan. 26, 2008. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) Related Media: VIDEO: Giuliani Wades Into Romney and McCain Spat It may be surprising to think of Giuliani as the candidate who is closest to Thompson, given their disagreement over abortion. But the Supreme Court long ago took this issue out of representative legislatures’ hands—in a plainly unconstitutional ruling. So a candidate’s position on this issue is now dwarfed in importance by his commitment to appointing judges who will abide by the Constitution and thereby return this issues to legislatures. And Rudy, more than John McCain or Mitt Romney, has firmly committed to appointing law-abiding judges. That is why prudent, pro-life conservatives, like Dennis Prager, have endorsed Rudy.

For all of his noble qualities and his commitment to reform, McCain is a maverick whose breaks from conservatives—on campaign finance, illegal immigration, etc.—are almost always in a left-leaning direction. No Thompson supporter could truly feel confident about the judicial nominees McCain would present to his former Senate colleagues. Romney is less of a maverick than McCain, but he is every bit as unpredictable. Without being unfair, one thing that can surely be said about Romney is this: one can rarely quite pin down what he thinks or what he’ll do. Giuliani, meanwhile, is committed to nominating a particular type of judge—the law-abiding rather than the law-making kind—and Rudy is a man true to his word. If he weren’t, he would have changed his position on abortion before the campaign.

On national security, no one can question Rudy’s credentials. No one can question his proven record of executive leadership in arguably the second-toughest executive position in America—a city whose metropolitan-area population is greater than all but three states (New York included). Rudy took on crime, he took on Democrats, and he transformed a crime-ridden metropolis into the safest large city in America. His record of successful executive leadership is something no other candidate can match. George Will called his tenure in New York “the most successful episode of conservative governance in the past 50 years.”

On the economy, there can be no doubt Rudy is the most conservative candidate. In New York, he consistently cut taxes and balanced budgets. Romney raised taxes 8% during the span of his tenure in Massachusetts,[1] imposed a government-mandated healthcare plan, and received a “C” from the small-government-minded Cato Institute. McCain voted against the recent Bush tax cuts, and he seems to have a limited commitment to limited government. Mike Huckabee increased taxes 19% during the span of his tenure in Arkansas, increased spending 65%—more than Bill Clinton did—and received an “F” from Cato.[2]

On the other hand, Rudy’s tax cut would be the largest in American history. His Fair and Simple Tax (FAST) form—similar to Thompson’s proposal—would allow Americans to complete their taxes on one page. He would cut corporate taxes from 35% to 25%, capital gains from 15% to 10%, and allow tax-free private savings accounts for general savings, retirement, education, and access to affordable, portable, private healthcare.

Rudy was recently praised by the Wall Street Journal, which asserted that he and Thompson have proposed the best tax plans and are the best “at explaining how taxes affect the economy.”[3] Steve Forbes writes that, “With Fred Thompson now having dropped out…there can no longer be any question which candidate is offering the best tax plan.”[4] Americans for Tax Reform president Grover Nordquist calls Rudy’s plan “a monumental leap forward for the American taxpayer and the U.S. economy,” and the Club for Growth calls it “a bold and innovative proposal that will…promote economic growth for Americans across the economic spectrum.”[5]

There’s a reason the New York Times, the nation’s liberal paper of record, just eschewed Giuliani and endorsed McCain. The Times could instead have endorsed Romney, but the Times, like everyone else, presumably can’t really tell where Romney stands. So they decided to go with the candidate who sometimes breaks with conservatives, rather than the one who consistently avoids taking positions. (If a candidate is to be characterized by slipperiness, the Times prefers that the candidate be named Clinton.) Thompson’s supporters should migrate to the man the Times wants nothing to do with, the man who ran New York as a conservative, is true to his word, and will clearly lead America in a conservative direction on social, defense, and economic issues: Rudy Giuliani.


TOPICS: Editorial; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: Florida
KEYWORDS: bullshiite; bullshirt; bulshiite; elections; fl2008; florida; fredthompson; giuliani; koolaid; myth; norfolkandweighrudy; propaganda; righttobeararms; righttolife; rudy; steamingload
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1 posted on 01/27/2008 1:04:08 PM PST by RDTF
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To: RDTF

Sorry, no thanks.


2 posted on 01/27/2008 1:05:32 PM PST by gpapa ("My idea of gun control is a good, steady aim" - Fred Thompson)
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To: RDTF
Um. No. Conservatives don't vote for culture of death-supporting candidates.

U.S. Army Retired


3 posted on 01/27/2008 1:06:04 PM PST by big'ol_freeper (REAGAN: "..party..must represent certain fundamental beliefs [not] compromised..[for] expediency")
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To: RDTF

Wrong-O.


4 posted on 01/27/2008 1:06:50 PM PST by Rush4U
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To: RDTF

McLame could be stopped in the Sunshine state.


5 posted on 01/27/2008 1:07:07 PM PST by Sybeck1 (McCain/Huckabee 08! Let's make Mississippi, Texas, and Utah swing states!)
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To: RDTF
I admit, I did not read this because it is preposterous on it’s face. Giuliani and Thompson sharing more than a very slim agreement on any Conservative issues. I think not.
6 posted on 01/27/2008 1:07:41 PM PST by TCats
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To: RDTF
Thompson Supporters Should Back Giuliani

No f'in way. But thanks for the laugh.

7 posted on 01/27/2008 1:08:51 PM PST by Toddsterpatriot (Why are protectionists so bad at math?)
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To: RDTF
The Times could instead have endorsed Romney, but the Times, like everyone else, presumably can’t really tell where Romney stands.

Yep. That's what happens when a candidate gets too adept with the weasel words.

8 posted on 01/27/2008 1:09:01 PM PST by Lancey Howard
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To: RDTF

Note to Mr. Anderson: Don’t hold your breath while you wait....


9 posted on 01/27/2008 1:09:28 PM PST by mewzilla (In politics the middle way is none at all. John Adams)
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To: RDTF

And “blah, blah” as this writer makes his pitch for what he mistakenly thinks are confused conservative voters who will swim toward a leaky lifeboat. Mark me down as “No Sale”.


10 posted on 01/27/2008 1:09:55 PM PST by Emmett McCarthy
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To: gpapa
Sorry, no thanks.

This former FredHead agrees. No thanks, at this time.

If enough people above Rudy on the list are knocked out, I will become a proud Rudy supporter as of that date. But not yet. Not by a long shot.

11 posted on 01/27/2008 1:10:43 PM PST by gridlock (Proud Romney Supporter since January 20, 2008)
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To: RDTF

I just voted for Thompson via absentee. I know, I know, but it made me feel better. As far as switching to Rudy, If I ever become a pro-war flaming liberal, I’ll think about it.


12 posted on 01/27/2008 1:12:24 PM PST by NavVet ( If you don't defend Conservatism in the Primaries, you won't have it to defend in November)
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To: RDTF

I wish you had warned me to don high waders before I ventured into this steaming load of crap.


13 posted on 01/27/2008 1:12:24 PM PST by alicewonders
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To: All; RDTF

I don’t see how a conservative could ever vote for Giuliani.

“Culture of life:

ABC clip:

George Will: “Do you think Roe v Wade was good constitutional law?”

Rudy Giuliani: “Yes I believe, I believe it is.”

Cnn Clip:

Announcer: “Giuliani was then asked whether he supports a ban on what critics call partial birth abortions, something Bush strongly supports.”

Rudy Giuliani : “No, I have not supported that, and I don’t see my position on that changing.”

Immigration

CNN clip:

Announcer: “Back in 1996, mayor Giuliani went to federal court to challenge new federal laws requiring the city to inform the federal government about illegal immigrants.”

Rudy Giuliani: “There isn’t a mayor or a public official in this country that’s more strongly pro immigrant than I am. Including disagreeing with President Clinton when he signed an anti-immigration legislation about two or three years ago.”

Gun control:

CNN clip

Rudy Giuliani: “I’m in favor of gun control”

Meet The Press:

Tim Russert: “How about registration of all handguns?”

Rudy Giuliani: “You know I’m in favor of that. I’ve been on your show many times.”

Gay Rights:

CNN Clip:

Announcer: “As mayor he supported civil unions, and extending health and other benefits to gay couples.”

ABC Clip: “I supported domestic partnership legislation and signed it”

Meet The Press:

Tim Russert: “So should gay people be openly allowed to serve?”

“I think people should be judged on the merits. And there should not be a specific focus on someone’s sexual orientation.”

First Amendment:

ABC Clip

Cokie Roberts: “Would you vote in the senate in favor of Mccain / Feingold?”

Rudy Giuliani: “Yes, I’m a big supporter of Mccain / Feingold. I have been for a long time.”

Party Loyalty:

ABC Clip:

Rudy Giuliani: “Frankly George, I’d like to run on all the lines. I’d like to run on the liberal line, the conservative line, I’d like to run on the democratic line if I could figure out how to do it.”

Conservative Values:

Meet The Press:

Tim Russert: “Whether it’s gays in the military, gun control, campaign finance, late term abortion - you and Hillary Clinton are in sync on those issues.”

Rudy Giuliani: “Well then maybe the other side should stop the ‘He’s part of the vast right wing conspiracy’.”

ABC clip:

George Will: “Do you think Roe v Wade was good constitutional law?”

Rudy Giuliani: “Yes I believe, I believe it is.”

First Amendment:

ABC Clip

Cokie Roberts: “Would you vote in the senate in favor of Mccain / Feingold?”

Rudy Giuliani: “Yes, I’m a big supporter of Mccain / Feingold. I have been for a long time.”

See Rudy for yourself on YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVBtPIrEleM


14 posted on 01/27/2008 1:12:24 PM PST by Sun (Duncan Hunter: pro-God/life/borders, understands Red China threat, NRA A+rating! www.gohunter08.com)
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To: RDTF

I’m for Romney, but I could live with Rudy. The fact that Ted Olsen will be helping him to pick judges convinces me he’ll pick the right guys - all a president can do on the abortion issue.

Hank


15 posted on 01/27/2008 1:13:48 PM PST by County Agent Hank Kimball ("Huckabee is the bastard child of Lou Dobbs and Pat Robertson." - Jonah Goldberg)
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To: RDTF

All the Democrats would need to do would be to run that photo of Rudy in drag over and over, and Rudy would be toast. They’d turn him into a laughing-stock, and ridicule is the most difficult attack to counter.


16 posted on 01/27/2008 1:13:54 PM PST by FreedomForce
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To: gridlock

I actually somewhat agree with the author....the most important issues to me are fiscal policy and security...and I would trust Rudy much more than the others in these areas just based on his past actions. If you accept him at his word about appointing strict constructionist judges (and we have to accept each of these candidates at their word about MULTIPLE issues), then despite his opinions about things like abortion, it really doesn’t matter.

I’m sorry, but after Thompson dropped I visited each candidates websites and have done extensive research...and I simply cannot find a horse to ride comfortably in this field. I abhor McCain and Huckster, and Romney leaves me unimpressed.


17 posted on 01/27/2008 1:15:13 PM PST by Ethrane ("semper consolar")
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To: Ethrane

I agree


18 posted on 01/27/2008 1:16:57 PM PST by RDTF
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To: RDTF

Thompson Supporters Should Back Giuliani”
_____________________

Hah, hah, hee, hee, hah, hee.....not a chance.


19 posted on 01/27/2008 1:17:34 PM PST by cowdog77 (Circle the Wagons)
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To: RDTF
an explicit promise to nominate only “strict constructionist” judges

LOL

20 posted on 01/27/2008 1:17:51 PM PST by Mojave
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