Giuliani in 2008?

Cedar Ra[ids Gazette ^ | January 20, 2004 | Dick Hogan

[presidio9]

Linn County Republicans last night seemed to be looking at political goals for the near and distant future. The near future is re-electing President Bush in November. But then Rep. Jim Leach, introducing former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani at the Linn County Republican caucus, planted the seed that Giuliani would make a good presidential candidate in 2008.

Giuliani responded to the standing ovation by several hundred people at Veterans Memorial Coliseum by saying he was overwhelmed to be there.

"There are more Republicans in this room than in all of New York City," he joked.

If Giuliani has presidential aspirations, he ignored them last night to beat the drum loudly for the Bush-Cheney ticket in November.

Recalling the deadly 9/11 terrorist attack on New York City while he was mayor, Giuliani said he told his police commissioner, "Thank God George Bush is the president of the United States. I knew him to be a man of character. I knew him to be a man of determination who was not going to be swayed. He stood up and said he was going to confront terrorism . . . to prevent it from happening again."

Giuliani said Bush's post-9/11 actions shine even more in light of the fact that Bush had only been in office about nine months when the attack happened.

Giuliani said all the Democratic candidates for president wanted to set the clock back before 9/11 and negotiate, including leaving Saddam Hussein in power in Iraq.

"We believe the world is safer now than it was then" because of Bush's handling of the crisis, Giuliani said.

He also praised Bush's economic policies, saying the economy is rebounding because Bush cut taxes and government control over the private sector.

"The Democrats want to raise taxes again and interrupt the recovery -- one of the strongest we've seen in the last 20 years. Does that make any sense?" Giuliani asked.

"Republicans consistently believe in people. The Democrats believe in government. We would be the party to say we would trust people more (than government)," he said.

The last election was close, and Giuliani said Republicans will fight as if this one will also be tight. He asked Iowa Republicans to work hard to ensure the 4,000-vote margin in the last election reverses and favors the GOP this time.

Cris Tanner, 46, of Marion, said Giuliani's comments inspired her to work harder to spread the word about Bush's good record to people who are undecided.

She also liked the idea of having Giuliani run for president in 2008.

"He'd have my vote," she said. "I think he would carry on and pick up where President Bush would leave off."

Joshua McKenzie, 19, a Kirkwood Community College student attending his first caucus, was similarly inspired, particularly by Giuliani's reminders about Bush's handling of terrorism and the economy.

[presidio9]

Good God No!

[kinghorse]

Who do you think will be the next in line? I haven't a clue. I wonder if the Republican party has a clue. It seems they cut the lines of succession with elder Cheney at the VP spot.

[Cagey]

Good God No!

Yea, that RINO would probably grant Amnesty to illegal immigrants, or something.

[presidio9]

When I'm looking at a candidate that is pro-abortion and pro gun-control, the language skills of the employees at my McDonalds becomes somewhat less important to me.

[presidio9]

The last time the vice president of a popular president ran he lost. Dick Cheney's vice presidency has been possibly the most productive in American history thus far. I see no reason to remove him.

[antaresequity]

NO to Rudy...Pro-Abortion Gun Grabber if I am not mistaken...

Rudy's Job is to run against Hillary

[HitmanLV]

I have said for a year and a half that Cheney will step down from the VP slot, citing health reasons, but stay on the admin in another role.

Speculation on Bush's new VP pick overshadows the Dem Convention, and Rudy is announced as the new VP before the RNC in NYC (of all places!) The RNC is a big party 'blessing' Rudy as the heir in 2008. The Bush-Rudy ticket wins handily, maybe as many as 400 EVs.

Hillary runs for reelection in '06 and wins. She is NY Senator as long as she wants to be (for life).

Rudy-Hilly in 2008, and Rudy wins. Hildy is slain, and we have a fine leader for the next phases on the War on Terrorism.

[ex-snook]

Sounds OK GOP Trend line is Leftward HO!
Bush I < Dole < Bush II < Guiliani

[southernnorthcarolina]

Though this is not a popular view on Free Republic, I like RINOs just fine... in their place. In New York, for example, a moderate Republican Senator is as good as you're going to do in a Senate race. Rudy is competent, somewhat charismatic, honest as far as I know, and would vote for at least some of President Bush's judicial nominations. I'd love to see him run against Hillary; he may even scare her out of the race. He'd be a great Senator compared to what they now have.

Now, then. National office for Rudy? NO! Not acceptable.

[ElkGroveDan]

[Captain Peter Blood]

I think Rudy is about as unstable as Dean.

[GodBlessUSA]

Yes, we do need Rudy in NY to beat the beast!

[AuH2ORepublican]

It figures that Jim Leach would support a Giuliani presidential candidacy. Leach is one of the foremost RINOs in the House.

Giuliani would make an excellent U.S. Senator from NY, and I wish he'd run against Schumer this year or against Hillary in 2006. Or if not, he would be a fine Secretary of Homeand Defense. But President? No way.

[Iron Eagle]

Sorry -- Rudy doesn't get the big ticket. Pro gay marriage, anti-gun, and worst of all, pro-abortion.

Conservatives Bolt party on that. Rudy is fine for New York, but he will not get National ticket. (he also has more baggage than U.S. Airways)

[Cagey]

When I'm looking at a candidate that is pro-abortion and pro gun-control,

Do you think Rudy would agree to renew Automatic Weapons Ban, should it reach his desk? He would, as would our current President.

[Lady Heron]

And the conservatives stay home.

[MegaSilver]

Giuliani could never win a national election. As good as he is on other issues, an outspoken pro-choice, pro-gun control Republican CANNOT win the presidency because many conservatives simply will not vote for him. They wouldn't even let him have the nomination.

[Mel Gibson]

Cheney is too old. There is absolutely no way that he will run in 2008.

[dangus]

Rudy's not unstable... He was damned good at an impossible job. That said, I'd like to keep him in New York, the city he is made for. He's not a legislator, not a coalition builder, and not a conservative.

[Paleo Conservative]

Giuliani in 2008?

No!
Giuliani in 2006!