Posted on 07/30/2005 5:55:36 AM PDT by Uncledave
With Gipper's game plan, Rudy can win it all
July 30, 2005
BY THOMAS ROESER Advertisement
As I write this I know my fellow social conservatives will get mad: There is no one in either political party who would be a more exciting candidate for president than Rudy Giuliani, former mayor of New York City. I'll tell you his story -- the good and the bad -- and I'll tell you how he can solve his problems with you. And me. Incidentally, as you read, keep in mind the contrast with Mayor Daley.
The good and bad about Rudy is contained in a book, The Prince of the City [Encounter: 2005] by Fred Siegel, a hard-bitten teacher at Cooper Union University. The good: Rudy came into office in 1994 a Republican in a Big Apple that was rotten to the core, steeped with bosses, bagmen and racial arsonists, a hostile "combination of liberal consensus and helplessness [that] made serious policy debate seem irrelevant," and quickly brought in a band of brother prosecutors from the U.S. attorney's office. They gave up millions in private law firm salaries for the fun of working and drinking (after hours) with Rudy. Most never left his side until his two terms ran out in 2001.
Giuliani was an eerily compulsive hands-on manager. If you want to understand him, said an associate, remember that as a Yankee fan he's the guy who keeps score and writes down how each out and each run took place. Just as when he read The Godfather he diagrammed how the mob worked, for relaxation he would sketch on a pad how every department worked. He would explain to the public clearly what he wanted to do: cut the size of government, cut taxes to attract jobs "so people can work," consolidate or cut out city departments, introduce competition to delivery of services and work with the governor [Democrat Mario Cuomo] "to get our fair share of revenue."
He insisted on tough police standards, once jumping out of his limo in Times Square to chase a guy he saw grab a woman's purse. He was heedless of civil libertarians. It seemed like he wanted to offend all interest groups and took the heat, forgetting the polls. Crime in 1995 saw 163,428 fewer felonies, with murder dropping 16 percent in 1996. He trumpeted that work is the best social welfare policy, pushing welfare reform, announcing that 23 percent of the welfare recipients in Jersey City were also receiving New York City benefits. He balanced his budget, fought with Al Sharpton against what he called "racial racketeering," and grinned as he took heat from minority communities.
The bad? Giuliani was ego-driven. He got jealous of his police commissioner, who was getting more favorable press than he, fired him and hired another (who was just as tough). Giuliani's personal life fell into tatters: his first marriage annulled, his second wife was a TV anchor who drove him nuts. He spatted with her, kept public company with a divorcee, came down with prostate cancer, married again. His political career was pronounced over. Then came 9/11.
That tragedy redeemed him. When the first plane hit the north tower, Guiliani ran from the Pinnacle Hotel where he was at a breakfast, shouting over his cell phone that command headquarters should move from 7 World Trade Center to Barclay Street a block away. Good thinking: Just as they evacuated, the plane hit the south tower. The debris was so heavy his command center was inundated. With his cell phone deadened, Giuliani's staff thought he was dead as well, but a janitor found him dazed and led him out through a little-known passage in the basement.
Television captured the man at that moment, stumbling down the street in the smoke, his handkerchief to his mouth, directing his city through uncharted territory, ordering all bridges and tunnels shut down. Courage is the most important virtue, said Churchill: It guarantees all others. As Bush retires, he should be supplanted by a man of this valor.
Social conservatives will oppose Giuliani for his pro-abortion views. It's up to Giuliani to help himself with them, and here's how. As governor of California, Ronald Reagan signed the most permissive abortion law in the country. Rudy, can you hear me? If you want this thing -- this presidency -- you gotta change and mean it. Your marriages we can do nothing about. But your social views have to change. They'll say you're an opportunist, but you have heard that before. You can change. And mean it. We're waiting.
False dilemma.
In fact, it would be you who would be helping Hillary, if you nominated someone who is totally out of step with the rank-and-file of the GOP; someone who is sure to lead to a breakup of Ronald Reagan's pro-life, pro-liberty coalition.
No. You are trying to kick the center poles out.
Say what you will I got a job.
I just want you to answer the question. Would you vote for a third party if given that Rudy is the republican nominee knowing that Hillary would become President without a solid party?
I mean I know the answer you would rather have Hillery than elect a man who disagrees with you on religious issues. You know what that makes you?
How's the DNC pay?
How is suckling off the teet of my hard earned tax dollars, welfare boy? At least I for one will keep Hillary out of the White House if I can.
No. I'd rather have someone who represents the conservative principles in the Republican platform, and that a hefty majority in the GOP nominating electorate believe in.
Your strawmen are funny, but don't do the job you intend.
You know what that makes you?
Logical and consistent, unlike you?
Answer the question will you jump ship? Will you vote against the Republican party if Rudy is the nominee just say yes or no.
Pathetic.
At least I for one will keep Hillary out of the White House if I can.
Wrongo. You're the one promoting dumb, bigoted anti-christian ideas that are guaranteed to bring division and destruction to the Republican Party.
You're not only trying to kick out the center poles, if you have your way you'll burn the canvas...
You can't read?
I agree it is pathetic that you are sucking away people's hard earned money. Does it feel good to be the poster boy for the Liberal welfare state?
Of course, I'm doing no such thing.
But you are so desperate, you'll grab for any straw.
And you aren't with all your lies and pathetic demand that the party do as you wish or you will jump ship and vote against the very party you accuse me of destroying. You are worse you have no loyalty.
" I do know enough about the Founding Fathers to say they did not create a state religion and the Founding Father's did not demand that a person be a Christian to be part of the Government. "
Your seething hatred shines through in each post. Once again you switched the issue like a good little troll. Let's review what you said in your past post:
"When will the religious people here learn that Free Republic is for all Republicans not just those that demand religion be part of our government."
Now, pay close attention to the part where you say "religion be part of our government". Do you know anything about the founding fathers and the constitution?
As far as your hatred for christians lets review:
"Oh there wont be burkas but there will be Blue Laws, forced religious instruction, a limitation of the first amendment, Religion as state law."
"[christian conservatives] will make the republican party losers because you can't shut your mouth for one election cycle "
"Republicans are on the verge of absolute control of this country but the Religious right could ruin it all by acting like the American Taliban at this juncture."
Oh sorry are you sucking away Mommy and Daddy's hard earned money is that it?
"Your post #326 could easily have been written by James Carville or Paul Begala. "
LOL....
I respect Rudy Guiliani and his bravery. But I will never vote for him under any circumstances. My only possible exception would be if he publicly retracted his pro-abortion, anti-2nd amendment, pro-homosexual marriage views and credited the change to a new insight or Christian conversion.
I have loyalty to a set of conservative principles, the ones laid out on the homepage of this site, and to those who consistently represent those founding principles of this free republic.
But my loyalty certainly doesn't extend to party over principle, unlike you.
I don't even know why you claim to be a Republican. The things you have said on this thread are straight out of the RAT playbook.
I see the master-debater is back with his repetitive posts.
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