Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Giuliani could be a strong candidate
Cincinnati Post, OH ^ | April 21, 2007 | Thomas P.M. Barnett

Posted on 04/21/2007 4:13:57 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife

With former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani consistently leading early polls for the Republican presidential nomination, pundits have spilled an ocean of ink concerning his electability.

Having recently sat down with the man, let me tell you why I consider Giuliani a candidate wholly appropriate for our times.

As someone who spends a lot of time thinking and writing about globalization and security, I was brought in recently by the Giuliani campaign to discuss these topics with the mayor.

This is standard practice as presidential candidates gear up, and Giuliani's camp is the fourth I've visited in the last year.

I'll make no attempt to describe the mayor's positions on anything we discussed, because that's his job as candidate.

Let me instead give you a sense of what it was like to engage him over a couple of hours on my areas of expertise.

I've interacted with numerous government, military and corporate leaders over the past couple of decades, so I'm able to draw some comparisons.

First off, Giuliani is a serious and wide-ranging reader, not just a skimmer of "bullets" prepared by his staff.

When he reads your stuff, you better remember what you wrote because this guy really absorbs material.

Second, Hizzoner engages you directly versus having his subordinates draw you out.

Typically, you brief the senior player only to have staffers toss out most of the follow-on questions.

With Giuliani, you lay out your basic argument briefly and then it's off to the races. As an experienced prosecutor, the questions flow quickly and to the point.

Third, the mayor's been around this world.

No matter where the conversation wandered, Giuliani had personal contacts or experience or knowledge to draw upon. Better yet, when something came up that he didn't know, the mayor was quick to admit it and toss out questions that drove further exploration.

Fourth, Giuliani likes intellectual debate but doesn't need to dominate.

Everyone around the table has the same opportunity to chime in, but don't expect to be asked. So the atmosphere is competitive but open.

For a famous egoist, I was surprised to find the mayor doesn't mind being interrupted. With a lot of big names, that's strictly verboten in such venues.

Fifth, the mayor seems unusually focused on how to get things rolling as opposed to where things will ultimately end up.

Many senior leaders focus on defining goals to the n-th degree while short-circuiting the how-to-get-there discussion, but Giuliani clearly likes the "how" as much as the "what."

Lastly, as veteran politicians go, when viewed up-close Rudy Giuliani comes off as one happy warrior.

He gives off neither the "angry outsider" nor the "appointed by fate" vibe. Instead, he seems genuinely thrilled at the prospect of tackling a lot of tough issues on a scale even grander than those found in New York City.

The man will never sport a tan, but he's definitely relaxed and ready.

One reason why the current race seems so wide open is that - in historical terms - sitting senators have a very hard time getting elected.

Typically, Americans choose their chief executives from the ranks of governors and wartime heroes, two life experiences that naturally display desired leadership characteristics.

In this age of globalization and our long war against radical extremism, Mayor Giuliani is unusually credentialed to serve as president.

Thomas P.M. Barnett is a visiting scholar at the University of Tennessee's Howard Baker Center and the senior managing director of Enterra Solutions LLC. E-mail him at tom@thomaspmbarnett.com. Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service.


TOPICS: Editorial; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: campaign; election; giuliani; sickofrudy; thomaspmbarnett; verysickofrudy; veryverysickofrudy
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 321-336 next last
To: Petronski

That ain’t no Puff Pastry, it’s Yellow Cake, and I’m sending Joe Wilson to investigate!


41 posted on 04/21/2007 6:41:19 AM PDT by Reform4Bush
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: shrinkermd

Good reply.

“If McCain is smart he will stress his war experience and downplay his senate career. The Keating five to McCain Feingold experience does not speak well for McCain.”

Lets not forget “The Gang Of 14”, voting NO on tax cuts.

Some people run for office in order to do things, some run to BE someone...McCain (IMO) falls in the latter category


42 posted on 04/21/2007 6:44:22 AM PDT by Valin (History takes time. It is not an instant thing.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

Just what FR needs - another thread of HS sophomores making juvenile comments and slapping each other on the back.

Go Pat Go redux.


43 posted on 04/21/2007 6:46:16 AM PDT by The Coopster
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 32 | View Replies]

To: indylindy
Thompson has a 4 month old! How old is he? LOL. If he runs the late nite comediennes are gonna have a ball with that.

With all the accolade laid on Thompson funny how no one has brought that up s/.

44 posted on 04/21/2007 6:49:17 AM PDT by Blackirish
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 37 | View Replies]

To: Blackirish
” If he runs the late nite comediennes are gonna have a ball with that.”

As they do with every politician in America. And that's another one of your intelligent reasons why Fred shouldn’t run for POTUS? LOL!

45 posted on 04/21/2007 6:56:03 AM PDT by dmw (Conservatives do NOT vote for liberals.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 44 | View Replies]

To: Cincinatus' Wife

I think this is an informative article. It suggests that Giuliani will be competitive in this race over the long haul. Many have predicted he will quickly flame out, as his liberal positions on many issues become more widely known, and/or a conservative candidate like Fred T. or Newt gets into the race.

I don’t think so. I think Rudy will be right in there - particularly with some of the big blue states moving their primaries up earlier.

Gonna be a heckuva good race!


46 posted on 04/21/2007 6:56:25 AM PDT by karnage
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Cincinatus' Wife

“And I’m still allowed to post”—liberal propaganda.


47 posted on 04/21/2007 6:58:36 AM PDT by dmw (Conservatives do NOT vote for liberals.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 33 | View Replies]

To: dmw
Looks like a man with two small children.
48 posted on 04/21/2007 6:59:05 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 45 | View Replies]

To: Cincinatus' Wife

I’m willing to concede that Giuliani may be groovy. Unfortunately, he’s also pro-abortion, anti-second amendment, pro-illegal alien, and pro-homosexual marriage. He also likes to dress in women’s clothing.


49 posted on 04/21/2007 7:00:04 AM PDT by trisham (Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: karnage
...Gonna be a heckuva good race!

That's for sure!

50 posted on 04/21/2007 7:00:13 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46 | View Replies]

To: Cincinatus' Wife
“He’s a optimist.
And he obviously loves being married”

Sure he does. Cousins, Feminist bimbos, Puppy staplers, and in between his many unusual marriages he rather enjoys living with queers that he kisses goodbye every morning.

Its obvious he is a family man ready to be a world leader.
Once those in the heartland get to know him they too will be Rooty Rooters.

Even Bernie Kerik said Rooty was like a father to him, his mentor.
Heck, Rooty is even “Godfather” to Kerik’s children.

So, If you are looking for a family man Rooty could be the one. ( Charles Manson had a “Family” too )

51 posted on 04/21/2007 7:00:30 AM PDT by Beagle8U (FreeRepublic -- One stop shopping ....... Its the Conservative Super Walmart for news .)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 23 | View Replies]

To: Cincinatus' Wife; Gumdrop; trustandhope; MarkBsnr; pblax8; oakcon; newbie 10-21-00; Bloc8406; ...
+

Freep-mail me to get on or off my pro-life and Catholic Ping List:

Add me / Remove me

Please ping me to all note-worthy Pro-Life or Catholic threads, or other threads of interest.

I’m pro-choice. I’m pro-gay rights, Giuliani said. He was then asked whether he supports a ban on what critics call partial-birth abortions. “No, I have not supported that, and I don’t see my position on that changing,” he responded. Source: CNN.com, “Inside Politics” Dec 2, 1999 http://www.ontheissues.org/2008/Rudy_Giuliani_Abortion.htm

ANDERSON COOPER 360 DEGREES (November 14, 2006)

RUDY GIULIANI (R), FORMER MAYOR OF NEW YORK CITY: I'm pro- choice. I'm pro-gay rights.

KING: Giuliani supports a woman's right to an abortion, and back in 1999, he opposed a federal ban on late-term abortions.

GIULIANI: No, I have not supported that, and I don't see my position on that changing.

KING: Immigration could be another presidential landmine. Back in 1996, Mayor Giuliani went to federal court to challenge new federal laws requiring the city to inform the federal government about illegal immigrants.

JEFFREY: He took the side of illegal immigrants in New York City against the Republican Congress.

KING: Giuliani opposes same-sex marriage but as mayor, he supported civil unions and extending health and other benefits to gay couples. He also supported the assault weapons ban and other gun control measures opposed by the National Rifle Association.

GIULIANI: I'm in favor of gun control. I'm pro-choice.

Republican Big-Wigs Support Pro-Abortion Event in NY

Pro-abortion Governor George Pataki and New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who also supports unrestricted abortion, are co-chairs of the 2000 Choice Award Presentation to be held on May 30 at the St. Regis Hotel in New York City. The event is sponsored by the Republican Pro-Choice Coalition, a group that is campaigning for the removal of the pro-life plank from the Republican National Platform.


http://www.nationalreview.com/murdock/murdock200503010743.asp


52 posted on 04/21/2007 7:00:38 AM PDT by narses ("Freedom is about authority." - Rudolph Giuliani)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: dmw

I did’t say he shouldn’t run. I like him. I even like how he has a hot wife 25 years is junior.....but now a 4 month old?. If someone sees then together they will assume it’s his daughter and grandchild..LOL


53 posted on 04/21/2007 7:00:45 AM PDT by Blackirish
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 45 | View Replies]

To: Cincinatus' Wife

“Looks like a man with two small children.”

Awesome! Looks like the next POTUS!


54 posted on 04/21/2007 7:01:39 AM PDT by dmw (Conservatives do NOT vote for liberals.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 48 | View Replies]

To: The Coopster
"Just what FR needs - another thread of HS sophomores making juvenile comments and slapping each other on the back."

Plenty of it on both sides, actually. What's good for the goose is good for the gander, right?

55 posted on 04/21/2007 7:01:59 AM PDT by TommyDale ("Can debate over four hours with no need to call a doctor!")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 43 | View Replies]

To: trisham
I’m willing to concede that Giuliani may be groovy. Unfortunately, he’s also pro-abortion, anti-second amendment, pro-illegal alien, and pro-homosexual marriage. He also likes to dress in women’s clothing.

He IS NOT for gay marriage. He is for civil unions.

He IS NOT anti-2nd Amendment.

Tell me how he differs from other candidates on illegal immigration?

He's dressed up for charity events and I bet he made a lot of money for those that needed it.

56 posted on 04/21/2007 7:02:46 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 49 | View Replies]

To: Cincinatus' Wife

LOL! Tell me-do you consider yourself a conservative?


57 posted on 04/21/2007 7:03:48 AM PDT by trisham (Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 56 | View Replies]

To: trisham

Damn right I’m a conservative!


58 posted on 04/21/2007 7:04:36 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 57 | View Replies]

To: Cincinatus' Wife

You’re certainly blessed with a sense of humour, then.


59 posted on 04/21/2007 7:05:53 AM PDT by trisham (Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 58 | View Replies]

To: trisham

And I garden too.


60 posted on 04/21/2007 7:08:20 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 59 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 321-336 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson