Posted on 10/02/2005 9:21:43 AM PDT by wagglebee
Former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani said Sunday he will contemplate next year whether to run for president in 2008.
"I will be considering it next year," Giuliani said during a visit to Denmark. But he added that playing with the idea of running for the Republican nomination for president did not mean he would actually do it.
"Sometime you warm up and get ready and you don't get in and pitch," he told reporters, in a baseball analogy.
Giuliani who was praised for his leadership following the September 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center, thanked Danish firefighters who raised $8,400 in support for their New York colleagues.
"To us it was the only thing we could do, raise money and show our support," firefighter Jens Hjorth said.
Eight firefighters from the station raised the money by recording a CD with six songs called "The Skyline Changed." They sold 27,000 copies.
On Sunday, the band members handed over a copy of the CD to Giuliani, who in return gave them a New York Fire Department hat.
Giuliani was in Denmark to speak at a business leadership conference in the Danish capital on Monday.
In 2000, Giuliani ran for the U.S. Senate, but dropped out after he was diagnosed with prostate cancer.
"Sometime the times demand a heroic political figure."
That would take another Ground Zero. I've already thought that through. Another Ground Zero, a worse one God forbid, would lead to someone very very nasty leading. A militant street fighter. Still wouldn't be Rudy.
God only knows who it would be, but you'd be surprised what kind of leaders rise up when a crisis is dire. It could be a mobster for all we know, someone who knows how to wage truly vicious warfare. And I don't mean Hillary or Bill. It would be someone endorsed by the military, someone who could well become dictator, comfortable with power.
"Giuliani would be more likely to appoint Conservative judges, too."
I wouldn't bank on it. Sorry.
I'm still waiting for Ann to get that open Supreme Court slot.
Maybe you should have counted how many times his name came up in comparison to the public official's (all of them) handling of Katrina.
The situation in the Mideast will be much worse by the next election.
Never underestimate the ability of Republicans to nominate a sacrificial lamb like Bob Dole. As long as he says the right things.
Social conservatives love Bush. I still wonder how that love has been returned in practice.
I beg to differ with you. Rudy is not a great man. His brazen unfaithfulness to his second wife should not be overlooked. If a man can keep his promise to his wife, how can we trust him to keep his promises to the nation?
Yes, Rudy is a good manager. I'm looking for more than that.
With Clinton, we conservatives argued that private morality counts. Sorry, but Rudy is lacking in this department.
I don't want to be in a position to vote for the "lesser of two evils" (Rudy vs. Hillary). That's why we need to see honorable men like Allen and Brownback step up to the plate. If and when they do, we need to open our wallets and support them.
"Maybe you should have counted how many times his name came up in comparison to the public official's (all of them) handling of Katrina."
Hey, if he wants to head FEMA, that would be fine with everyone. His talent would be better used with the FBI though.
I just don't hear conservatives staying up all night after another ground zero, calling up a general who wrote something that impressed them, and hearing the name, "Rudi". Because we will turn to the military to find out what commander-in-chief is most needed if it gets really bad. I bet they keep names locked in their hearts, because their heart's desire would frighten people.
"The situation in the Mideast will be much worse by the next election."
Very possible. When you stand up to a bully, you might get punched. People in the past made the mistake of saying it's safer to stand up to a bully. Not immediately, no. It's safer long term. Everyone understands that.
Sorry, the word "can" should be "can't" in the previous post.
I actually think Guiliani would be a tough opponent, but I don't agree with him things like gay marraige. At this point, I am pratically screaming for any GOP leadership.
I personally think that George Allen is the best candidate, hands down. However, it may be necessary for a running mate who can deliver a state like New York; until fairly recently, the VP slot was given to the person who could help most in the election and it may be time to go back to that.
"It' all about balance and which direction we are projecting towards at any given time--left or right."
The term, 'center', has been hyjacked by the old media a long time ago. They use it to push the nation left. They move the center left by showing ever more extreme leftists as one end, and moderates like Bush on the other end. JFK was probably to the right of Bush.
Just out of curiosity, I won't respond to them, but just so that I and others could judge your political acumen, name five Republicans who you would both support and believe have any chance of being elected POTUS in 2008.
"...the VP slot was given to the person who could help most in the election and it may be time to go back to that."
That is a consideration. That's why I like Hannity/Coulter. They both have great name recognition. Moth would have macro-appeal. Both would do incredibly well in the South. Both would rip most any democrat apart when they stump or debate. It would be an awsome team. They really should consider it for the good of the nation.
Also consider this: good looks do help. And we would have appeal to both genders.
Talk show talking heads? This your ideal ticket? I'd like to think there is actual experience in our party we can look to, not just people experienced in talking about the people who actually do things.
MAybe if we get a good solid conservative on the SCOTUS, then Rudy's "pro-choice" position won't matter as much.
Anyway, how common is it for a pro-abortion candidate to thrive up in New York? I hope people in the rest of the country will understand if/when Rudy's position on abortion changes.
I like the way you think. Really, this is why Guilliani would be viable. Historically, odds favor a swing to a Democrat this time around. The only thing that can change that is a very popular and unquestionably competent candidate like Guilliani.
My dream ticket is Hannity/Coulter. Hannity would be an awsome executive, BTW. He gets along well with all kinds of people who he doesn't agree with, Giulianni included. He could campaign on radio too. I think that's the best way to campaign-- what he does already. He already flies everywhere.
And when it comes to issues, it's difficult to beat him. He tests his position on issues out on the public every day.
Coulter would be the perfect Vice President because traditionally, the Vice President says the tough stuff. That's Coulter all the way.
Name recognition, large devoted following, looks, energy, debating skills, stumping skills, and Hannity is better networked even than the Bush family.
As for naming five, I will if you will.
1. He's short.
2. He's bald.
3. He wears glasses.
4. He's a short, bald man who wears glasses and has a minor speech impediment.
5. He's an Italian-American.
6. He's an Italian-American from New York.
Are these totally superficial qualities? Absolutely. But any one of them represents a serious challenge to a presidential candidate in this age of packaged candidates and mass media. Two of them make a candidate virtually unelectable. The combination of all six of them makes Giuliani something of a circus act on the national scene.
"I'd like to think there is actual experience in our party we can look to, not just people experienced in talking about the people who actually do things."
Well, I have a problem with most people who have experience. Jeb? No thanks. George Allen? Not much name recognition. He's hardly known in Virginia for crying out loud.
Tancredo? Good on issues but doesn't get along with people the way Hannity does.
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