Giuliani's Star Might Be Rising (Lavish Praise from Gingrich Caps Big Week for 'America's Mayor')

ABC News ^ | Feb. 16, 2007 | TEDDY DAVIS

[Jet Jaguar]

Long dismissed by Washington insiders as incapable of receiving the Republican Party's presidential nomination because of his pro-abortion rights, pro-gay rights and pro-gun control views, former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani was lavished with praise Friday by an icon of American conservatism.

"He is much stronger than anyone could have predicted six months ago," said former Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrich from Georgia. "New York is four times safer than it used to be. It's one of the greatest achievements of government capability in the 20th century. And Rudy just has to go out and say, 'This is who I am. If you think the world's dangerous, and you need a tough guy … that's me.' "

Gingrich, who co-wrote a Wall Street Journal op-ed with Giuliani last month, said he is not endorsing the man who led New York City through the terrorist attacks of 9/11, and he noted that he may still jump into the presidential race against him.

But the words of praise from the architect of the GOP's 1994 takeover of Congress capped a big week for Giuliani, which included more encouraging poll numbers, a raucous reception from California Republicans, and the latest round of softball interviews in which he has been able to downplay his liberal social views by espousing his commitment to appointing "strict constructionist" judges.

Nearly a year before the first presidential primaries are held, a Gallup Poll released Wednesday found that Giuliani has a 16-point lead among Republicans over Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.

In general election matchups, Gallup found that Giuliani leads Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., by nine points and Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., by two points, within the survey's three-point margin of error. McCain, by contrast, ties Obama and trails Clinton by three percentage points.

Saying that former Gov. Mitt Romney, R-Mass., is going through a "little bit of a rough patch," Gingrich was noticeably cooler toward Romney today than he has been in the past.

Back in November, while appearing on "Fox News Sunday," Gingrich singled out Romney as someone who is working "very hard" to fill a vacuum in the GOP for a "clearer voice of conservatism," adding that Romney "may well succeed."

Gingrich adopted a different tone toward Romney today after cost estimates for his health care plan, which have soared above the former governor's expectations, which revealed.

"I think that he's very smart, he's very articulate, and he's had a little bit of a rough patch with the cost of the health plan is Massachusetts," said Gingrich, "But he's a very smart guy, and I think he'll be a very significant candidate."

In assessing Giuliani's potential appeal to conservatives, Gingrich pointed to Giuliani saying in recent interviews that he would appoint "strict constructionist" judges.

Gingrich predicted that one of Giuliani's GOP rivals would air television ads attacking him for having made positive statements in the past about Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the Supreme Court justice appointed by former President Clinton, who has upheld abortion rights.

Gingrich, however, seemed unconvinced that the line of attack would work

"And as he said the other day," said Gingrich, "he would have appointed the same two Supreme Court justices as Bush did. So conservatives have got to decide, you know, is that acceptable or not acceptable?"

[Melas]

Sheeat, Newt, you may be smarter than I am, but, not by that much! Newt, I would love to discuss "conservative" with you, from a redneck point of view! Set the date, I ain't hard to find! No presets, no moderation, no rules, just stand, like a man, and debate! I get to interupt you, anytime you get off track, and go to blowing smoke, and you get the same! Newt, do you have the balls to debate an old swampdwelling redneck freeper, all your degrees, against my little AA, in front of a freeper panel? Anything goes, Newt, man to man!

You know, being louder than your opponent doesn't really win debates. Newt Gingrich is in possession of a giant intellect. What do you have to bring to the match other than the admitted redneck failings of being loud and interrupting?

[wagglebee]

Newt can raise money very easily.

[billbears]

Gingrich always was a squish.

Gingrich too? I've heard him called a lot of things but I don't think I've ever heard him called 'squish'. He's always been considered one of the more conservative sorts in the Republican party. If Gingrich is showing support for him, that's a pretty strong semi-endorsement.

BTW, when is the 'esteemed' Mr. Keyes going to throw his support behind Giuliani? Or is he going to run under some third party no one's ever heard of? I hear the Christian Falangist Party may be looking for candidates. They look kooky enough. And the Prohibition Party is still in business too...

[onyx]

Do you live in his district or did you just admire him from afar, like most of us do when elected officials are not from our respective states or districts?

[zarf]

we have to choose between two New Yorkers. Yuck! It's too revolting even to think about it.

As we say in the Bronx:

Up yours.

[areafiftyone]

You have a problem with New Yorkers? Besides Hillary is Not a New Yorker no matter how much she pretends to be.

[Jet Jaguar]

Astounding. The only explanation I can see, as I stated before,

"Rudy is the only one who can beat Hillary."

I disagree, but that is my best guess.

[Beagle8U]

"Rudy vs. Hillary and we have to choose between two New Yorkers. Yuck! It's too revolting even to think about it."

I don't think those will be the choices in Nov 08.

[redgirlinabluestate]

Santorum? he couldn't even win a statewide election in his home state.

That could be a problem. But I do like him.

[Reagan Man]

>>>>Rudy the RINO is pulling the rino hide over many in the party. I am totally with you.

Thanks. But you may regret saying that around here. ;^)

I'm convinced with Rudy at the top of the ticket, the GOP will suffer its worse Prez loss since 1964. Unless GOPers support a conservative candidate things look bleak. The 2006 election results offer a snapshot of how the 2008 election will turn out. If only Pubbies are willing to listen.

[EternalVigilance]

BTW, when is the 'esteemed' Mr. Keyes going to throw his support behind Giuliani?

Not even when hell freezes over.

[Jet Jaguar]

Nope I never lived in Georgia. I move all the time.

[ElPatriota]

Yes, for the first time I agree that McCain's star is going DOWN... FINALLY!

Now we must the the same with GULLIANI THE "TROJAN HORSE."

(Just a reminder to conservatives out there... The Media ballgame is changing as we speak!...No longer can they call shots... And no longer we have to just "take it." No, we want to PARTICIPATE in the choosing of our Republican Presidential candidate)

BEWARE!... Social-conservatives, Christian conservatives or moral-conservatives of ANY KIND..

********************* WE NEED TO UNITE IN OUR PURPOSE!!! ************************

WHO? I don't know, but here we are, in the middle of the Internet revolution, and yet, I feel as if someone, somewhere, is pulling the strings to elect a LEFTY 'Republican,' leaving us conservatives out of the loop and I DON'T LIKE IT!

Who is calling the shots here?... I guess special interest(s) with $$ MONEY $$, I "hear" it already, someone literally telling me, "Go, go little unimportant people, go home...Leave this to the EXPERTS. We the smart people will let you know when to vote.. go on, get lost! - LOL.

I believe Guliani's CONSULTANTS tactic is simply to DIVIDE the Republicans. To attract as many Lefty Republicans (I still don't get used to the label /s) by selling Mr. Guiliani as the CHAMPION OF NATIONAL SECURITY! to us, but I would not be surprised if we get a new batch of "converts" from the 'other side,' to push him over the top. Either I am paranoid but actually BELIEVE this "adoration," for this guy is orchestrated by some special interest out there. Just because, yes, He cleaned up N.Y. and acted with leadership on 9/11... Great as those things are, does not make him the Republican Presidential candidate by default...HARDLY!

And I should say, if he were a social-conservative (as DUNCAN is) THEN, I would be pushing hard for him!... But as it is... THERE IS NO WAY IN HELL I WILL VOTE FOR HIM!... Because if he gets elected, well, social-conservatives LOSE AND the LEFT WINS... That simple. All true social, Christian or Moral conservatives should above all, DENY our vote to the Left... And Rudy is the LEFT on social issues, and those are our issues.

So let's get excited about the challenge... Because I have this funny feeling that this maybe the first time THE PEOPLE will actually defeat the CONSULTANTES! :)

So Let's do it people. Let's show them we are not the dumb a*** they think we are :)

[JulieRNR21]

I pinged areafifty in my post #8, along with PKM who is busy tonight at a GOP function.

---

BINGO......Didn't see that....Then you beat me here.....LOL

[onyx]

Oh, my error. I thought you were talking bout Ron Paul --- he represents a district in TX. Newt's from Georgia.

[Corin Stormhands]

Hey, this son of the Confederacy (small "S", I don't belong to the organization) doesn't have a problem with a New Yorker being President...as long as he doesn't move to Virginia...

But seriously, two New York candidates? It'll be like a Subway Series!

[somemoreequalthanothers]

Hillary is Not a New Yorker no matter how much she pretends to be.

Not true. Saw her in a Yankees hat once.

[william clark]

I make no secret of my support for Duncan Hunter, but I like to approach these things objectively, considering all the variables. I have a question for the Rudy supporters; particularly those who would ideally prefer a more conservative candidate, but who don't believe any of them are viable in the general election.

As far as I can tell, it's pretty universally accepted that the reason Republicans lost the majority last November was due to increasing sentiment against the war. Many Rudy supporters have stressed that his socially liberal positions shouldn't get in the way of our supporting him, because he's "right on the war" and that's the most important thing. So my question is this. If enough voters turned out to vote against the war to shift the balance of Congress, how do you see them not voting the same way in the Presidential election; i.e., voting against the war by voting against someone who, from our perspective, is "right" on it?

This is an honest strategy question.

[onyx]

LOL -- stunned silence here, huh?

[oceanview]

Hillary is from Arkansas.