Rudy hitches onto Gipper

New York Daily News ^ | 8/05/03 | JOEL SIEGEL

[kattracks]

Rudy Giuliani is joining the board of the Ronald Reagan Foundation and helping it raise money - boosting his credentials among conservative Republicans who could help him run for President one day.

Giuliani traveled to Simi Valley, Calif., yesterday for his first semiofficial function as a member of the Reagan Foundation - a private dinner last night with former First Lady Nancy Reagan and board members.

Giuliani was to sign copies of his book, "Leadership," at the Reagan Library this morning, with proceeds from the sales dedicated to the Reagan Foundation.

The nonprofit foundation sustains the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library & Museum, Center for Public Affairs and the Presidential Learning Center.

Giuliani's stock with Republicans is high because of his leadership after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

It was not always thus. His support of gay and abortion rights made him a tough sell to the party's dominant conservative wing. His ability to show strong ties to Reagan, a conservative icon, can only help him if he seeks the GOP's presidential nod, political strategists said.

In a phone interview yesterday, Giuliani called his appointment to the foundation board "a great honor," but said it's "something I would do whether I had a political future, or didn't."

As mayor, Giuliani never ran from his relationship with the 40th President - he was the No.3 official in Reagan's Justice Department - but he did not showcase such ties, either.

That has changed now that Giuliani has returned to private life and a run for national office has emerged as a possibility.

In March 2002, he received the Reagan Foundation's Presidential Freedom Award. Appearing before GOP audiences, Giuliani highlights his Reagan administration tenure and raves about the Gipper.

Reagan is "a big hero of mine" and a "strong leader," Giuliani told Republican National Committee members who gathered for the RNC's summer meeting in New York 10 days ago.

He acknowledged yesterday that he talks about Reagan more now, saying "it fits my political philosophy."

"Conservative Republican politics don't exactly get you elected in New York City. You don't deny them but it isn't something you emphasize," he said.

Outside of social issues, "I probably turned out to be a more conservative mayor than people thought I would be," he said.

Originally published on August 5, 2003

[ARCADIA]

It looks like someone is warming up Bush's replacement - just in case...

[kattracks]

I see it as a warmup for 2008.

[Fledermaus]

I think Rudy is going to make waves against Hillary in 2006 for Senate very soon.

I think this will make her want to move towards jumping in against Bush in 2004 and she won't get 45% of the vote.

This could allow Rudy to run in 2008. He could even replace Cheney as VP, or Ashcroft as Attorney General?, midway through Bush's second term.

His credibility in being tough on crime would more than translate to Commander in Chief and he could get away with his softer social issues. And it doesn't hurt he can match Hillary when it comes to fund raising and helping his party get elected around the country.

I think we are going to see more and more of Rudy in the coming months touting Bush and his leadership in the war on terror AND economics. Bush himself is covering the social factors (Democrat-lite).

At least that's how I see Rudy's contribution in the future.

[jagrmeister]

We need a crimefighter at the top. The amount of homicides we have in a modern society like ours is utterly unacceptable. Guilani's "broken windows" approach needs to be nationalized. And I'd like to see a "two strikes you're out" campaign, nationwide.

[Elkiejg]

As much as I'd love to see Rudy SMASH the hildabeast in a senate election -- I can't really see him in the Senate. He's used to being "in charge". I can see him in the White House (after Bush!!).

[Fledermaus]

I agree.