Posted on 12/22/2010 7:09:21 AM PST by StatenIsland
As a 2008 primary front-runner, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani tanked. But as a 2012 dark horse, he could do surprisingly well.
Its not because Giuliani has shifted; its because the Republican Party has. The 2010 election was less about social conservatism than it was fiscal conservatism, and that aligns with Giulianis socially moderate and fiscally conservative ideology.
There is another promising wind of change blowing Giulianis way, one thats less ideological. This isnt the era of kinder, gentler politicians. This is the age of former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie three politicians whose appeal lives, partly, in their aggressive rhetoric.
But, according to Giuliani, he started the political fad. When explaining Christies appeal to the New York Post, Giuliani said: Whats making him popular is that hes not afraid to be called a bully. I used to be proud to be called a bully, and Christie would call me and tell me, Im going to do it just the way you did.' "
Thus, both the national ideology and aesthetics of these political times are more favorable to Giuliani than, perhaps, at any time in his political career.
So whats he been up to?
Leg work:
While Giuliani maintained his visibility at a national level this year through frequent appearances on cable political shows, he also showed the GOP that he was willing to do the less glamorous work of crossing the country on behalf of Republican candidates.
In the run-up to the midterm elections, Giuliani made high-profile visits on behalf of Pennsylvania Republican Senate candidate Pat Toomey, Illinois gubernatorial candidate Bill Brady, Illinois senatorial candidate Mark Kirk, West Virginia senatorial candidate John Raese and many more, garnering significant media attention along the way.
Skeptics often claim that Giulianis political activity is simply good business, since it keeps him relevant. For example, Auburn University shelled out $85,000 earlier this year for a Giuliani speech on leadership an amount that might be less if he werent flirting with a bid. But that obscures the fact that his success, financially, is a good sign of his continuing appeal, politically.
Rhetoric:
The question for any presidential aspirant is whether he or she is building a broad case for the presidency. At the very least, Giuliani has built a broad one against the current president, slamming Barack Obama on everything from foreign policy to being, well, too New York.
Earlier this year, he questioned the presidents philosophical approach to foreign policy, not to mention his actual record, which hes frequently criticized on missile defense, terrorism and Middle East relationships.
President Obama thinks we can all hold hands, sing songs and have peace symbols. North Korea and Iran are not singing along with the president.
And while Gingrich literally wrote a book, christening the Obama administration a secular-socialist machine, Giuliani has been similarly critical of the presidents economic policy, telling conservative bloggers that Obama is trying to turn the United States into a European social democracy.
Then theres the ironic and primary-friendly charge that Obama has too much of the mayors hometown blood in him.
The president may be suffering from the inability to see the rest of America from having a warped view in New York, Giuliani told ABCs The View last month.
Fire in the belly:
Giuliani has refused several times this year to close the door on a bid. Most recently, he told The Wall Street Journal that its been difficult to give up the dream.
Its always in your mind when youve done something like this, he said.
And its possible that his poor showing in 2008 hasnt done much to diminish his confidence in another bid. Earlier this year, Giuliani told The Washington Post that his failure could have been as simple as bad timing.
You know, I was conflicted about running when I did ... I dont think any Republican could have won in 2008, he said.
That being said, if he did do it again, its not likely hed take any chances and stake the race on Florida, as he did in 2008.
If youre going to run for president and get nominated, you better win Iowa [or] New Hampshire. By then, its probably over. If it isnt over by then, its over by South Carolina, he told the Post.
What lies ahead:
In the end, its perhaps smartest to appeal to a former New York state representative, Guy Molinari, who once told reporters of Giuliani: Rudy is Rudy. Rudy is either going to run or not based on how he feels. Hes not a guy who looks at statistics and worries about the fact that ... maybe he could win, maybe he cant win.
And that makes him a wildcard, a dark horse and a worthy figure to watch in 2012.
This moron will never vote for Rudy or Mitt!! They can both go to RINO hell as far as I’m concerned. You too if you don’t like it.
Never! I didn't vote for McStain, and I won't vote for any Rudy McRomney RINOs! Ever!
If you do not you will be a moron.
Get lost, Rudybot.
Oh, by the way, one more thing: Merry Christmas, you filthy RINO.
All of us may have been better off voting for Hitllery last time. Instead of McCain.
Yeah, I know you did not vote for McCain but you threw your vote away.
The Clintons do not HATE the USA like the Obamas.
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