Posted on 02/03/2007 1:17:10 PM PST by BunnySlippers
By JIM DAVENPORT, Associated Press Writer
He keeps an itinerary that has all the makings of a full-fledged presidential candidate: South Carolina this weekend, New Hampshire the one before.
Which is what Rudy Giuliani, the former New York City mayor, says he's leaning toward becoming.
"There's a real good chance," Giuliani told The Associated Press on Saturday, after a 30-minute speech and question-and-answer session with party leaders in South Carolina. In year, they will put on the first-in-the-South GOP presidential primary.
On Giuliani's first visit to New Hampshire last weekend since setting up the committee, he told reporters he'd received a tremendous amount of enthusiasm and support from people.
But he said he had not yet decided whether he could make a "unique contribution" toward strengthening the nation that would justify a run for president.
He has emphasized his steady hand dealing with the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. However, his moderate stances on gun control, abortion, gay rights and other social issues could be liabilities for him in a GOP presidential primary that includes hard-core conservatives as a central voting group.
For instance, in November, South Carolina voters overwhelmingly approved a constitutional ban on same-sex unions.
"The fact is I appeal to conservative Christians the way I appeal to everyone else," Giuliani said at a news conference. "I don't think you have separate appeals to people."
Giuliani formed a presidential exploratory committee in November to prepare for a possible bid for the GOP nomination in 2008. It lets him raise money and travel the country, gauging how much support there could be for him.
In his few first weeks, Giuliani took in $1.4 million. He collected donations online, and held a major fundraising event in New York in December.
Financial documents show that by the start of this year Giuliani had about $1 million available, having spent money to set up campaign headquarters, buy equipment and hire workers.
The Republicans' top tier of candidates for 2008 includes Arizona Sen. John McCain (news, bio, voting record), former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback (news, bio, voting record).
Giuliani's visit to Columbia wrapped up a busy week in the state for White House hopefuls. Romney was in the capital on Tuesday and Brownback on Friday.
I didn't say there were hundreds.
And you didn't ask for more than one. In fact, you doubted that.
So LOLOLOL
Due to extraordinary circumstances, I've made an exception.
"People" is plural. Cough up the second one.
You're right on target there.
Now, there's a keeper of a quote.
What can possibly be so extraordinary a year before an election?
just like the french do every time it's time to fight.
Hell, the fight hasn't even started, all the players aren't on the field, and you're ready to surrender already. Pretty dang extreme of you!
LINK is SINGULAR. You got what you asked for.
You can't handle that is the anti-Rudy people who would consider voting for Hillary.
It could be because many see Rudy as the only electable Republican in the general election.
And it's even more than a year - it's about 20 months before the election, and more than a year before the primaries. We don't even know who all is running yet and these jellyfish are saying that the only way republicans can win is if they run like liberals.
Amazing.
He'll just let someone else do it.
That's a rather fair observation. I see it the same way.
Did you know EternalVigilance wants pro-Guiliani people to be required to wear a pink triangle so they can be identified (just like in "the good old days")?
Oh that's right, you were there and saw that post before it was pulled.
I'm certainly pro-Rudy at this point but you have a reasonable and respectful position. Unfortunately some on here believe there are perfect candidates and just refuse to vote for anybody imperfect, even in the general and then call you names for supporting what they deem a "RINO".
There you go again. "People" is plural. So far, you've found one poster who is so disgusted with you and your extreme left candidate that he'd vote for Hillary first. Whoopty-doo. (It's amazing that you think this is helping your liberal "cause," even if you found ten.)
Now, would you care to explain how Giuliani finds a way to run to the right of Hillary on anything? (Notwithstanding his dishonesty in having to run anywhere or as anything more than what he's always been...)
Freep-mail me to get on or off my pro-life and Catholic Ping List:
Please ping me to all note-worthy Pro-Life or Catholic threads, or other threads of interest.
Opening Remarks to the N.A.R.A.L. "Champions of Choice" Lunch
As Delivered
Thank you very much for inviting me to say a few words of welcome. This event shows that people of different political parties and different political thinking can unite in support of choice. In doing so, we are upholding a distinguished tradition that began in our city starting with the work of Margaret Sanger and the movement for reproductive freedom that began in the early decades of the 20th century.
As a Republican who supports a woman's right to choose, it is particularly an honor to be here. And I would like to explain, just for one moment, why I believe being in favor of choice is consistent with the philosophy of the Republican Party. In fact, it might be more consistent with the philosophy of the Republican Party. Because the Republican Party stands for the idea that you have to restore more freedom of choice, more opportunity, more opportunity for people to make their own choices rather than the government dictating those choices. Republicans stand for lower taxation because we believe that people can make better choices with their money than the government will make for them, and that ultimately frees the economy and produces more political freedom. We believe that, yes, government is important, but that the private sector is actually more important in solving our problems.
So it is consistent with that philosophy to believe that in the most personal and difficult choices that a woman has to make with regard to a pregnancy, those choices should be made based on that person's conscience and that person's way of thinking and feeling. The government shouldn't dictate that choice by making it a crime or making it illegal.
I think that's actually a much more consistent position. Many Republicans support that position, but you don't hear that as often. For example, in a recent poll by American Viewpoint, 65 percent of Republicans supported changing the plank in the Republican platform that calls for a constitutional ban on abortion. That's 6.5 out of every 10 Republicans. And over 80 percent of Republicans believe that the decision with regard to an abortion should be made by a woman, her doctor, and her family rather than dictated by the government.
[Applause]
In any case, I just wanted you to know that many of my fellow Republicans stand with you on this issue. So I thank you, I thank NARAL for taking the lead in establishing freedom of choice for all of us, and as the Mayor of New York City, I thank you for being here in New York City.
"Pretty much the same as most of law enforcement, from what I understand".
And they'll engage in the most Clintonian of tactics to try to accomplish their goals. It's pretty telling.
Take me off your ping list. I did not ask to be on it.
Hey Bunny -And the NARAL speech Bunny. Comments? Defense?I notice you skipped the thread where Rudy left the party designation blank when he filed (e.g. didn't list Republican). I even pinged you and PhiKapMom. Any comment on that?
You aren't on it. But I am interested in your commentary regards the speech by Rudy to NARAL.
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