State GOP lining up behind Giuliani. He's won support among California conservatives (& nationally)

The Californian ^ | March 17, 2007 | DIANA MARRERO

[FairOpinion]

WASHINGTON - With the presidential election less than two years away, a handful of California lawmakers are already rallying around former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani for the Republican nomination.

Among them: conservative Reps. Jerry Lewis of Redlands and Devin Nunes of Visalia and moderate Rep. Mary Bono of Palm Springs.

Giuliani, whose stance on abortion, gay rights, gun-control and immigration puts him at odds with the party's conservative base, also has won the support of key California conservatives in recent days.

They include Bill Simon, a former Republican candidate for governor and longtime friend, and Steve Frank, publisher of California Political News and Views, a conservative Web site.

Giuliani's popularity among conservatives despite his more liberal position on social issues is not just a California phenomenon.

A recent Time magazine poll shows Giuliani, dubbed "America's mayor" for his leadership after the Sept. 11 attacks, leading Sen. John McCain of Arizona by a 2-1 margin among white "born-again" Christians.

"Giuliani so far musters the most confidence among the Republican faithful," said Bill Whalen, a research fellow at Hoover Institution at Stanford University.

Giuliani's recent congressional endorsements, Whalen said, shows that the Republican field has no "conservative idol in the top tier. Conservatives are shopping for a candidate."

Nunes, an anti-abortion rights conservative, says he is supporting Giuliani despite their differences on many social issues because he is the best candidate for president.

Both are against same-sex marriage, but Giuliani angered conservatives as New York mayor by signing a 1997 measure allowing benefits for same-sex domestic partners.

Nunes, who plans to help Giuliani raise money in Tulare later this year, said he and Giuliani can agree on such things as states rights and judges who adhere strictly to the Constitution.

"I really believe people are rallying around him because he's a proven hero," said Nunes, who dined with Giuliani last month as the presidential candidate made a stop in Tulare to address the World Ag Expo. "We are in a global war on terror. I know that I can trust Giuliani to fight and win the war on terror."

Lewis, the top Republican on the powerful House Appropriations Committee, is also supporting Giuliani despite their differences on social issues.

An anti-abortion rights conservative, Lewis has voted to ban gay marriage, supports gun rights and has become increasingly concerned about curbing immigration.

"He bases his endorsement on the candidates' qualifications to become elected as president and to serve well once elected," said Lewis' spokesman Jim Specht, who noted that Lewis was an enthusiastic supporter of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, a moderate. "He really looks to see who's going to get the job done."

Giuliani's private life - he has been married three times and has a strained relationship with his children - could hurt his chances among conservatives.

But Giuliani's real strength is his appeal to centrist Republicans like Bono, and to independent voters, especially in California and other blue states, political experts say. He is also considered the Republican Party's best shot at beating Democratic front-runner Hillary Rodham Clinton.

"The candidate that controls the middle in this state will win," said Duf Sundheim, the former state Republican chairman.

"What Schwarzenegger has showed is you can be conservative on economic issues, strong on security issues, libertarian on social issues and progressive on environmental issues and be successful with Republicans in California."

Bono, a moderate Republican, says she and Giuliani have much in common. Like Giuliani, Bono tends to be more moderate on social issues. The Palm Springs Republican favors abortion rights, supports certain gun restrictions and backs gay rights, recently voting against a gay-marriage ban.

"He is a pragmatist like I am," said Bono, whose campaign committee sponsored a recent fundraiser for Giuliani at the Porcupine Creek Golf Club in Rancho Mirage. "Whatever he asks me to do, I'll do."

[FairOpinion]

Smart conservatives are also realists. They understand that we need Rudy's leadership in the time of war and we must stop Hillary and he is the man to do it.

[FairOpinion]

This really is a "Must ping" Rudy ping and a "bookmark for future reference" article.

[bluecollarman]

This really is a "Must ping" Rudy ping and a "bookmark for future reference" article.

Yea. and this is a must post

 

Rudybots Announce  New "Rudy" Whiskey.

It's Time to "Rino" with Rudy Whiskey
Industry News, 16 March, 2007
After busting on the scene with a flash and a bang all the rage is now Rudy . Why? Because we wan't to win...really bad! We don't care about Guns, abortions or the homosexual agenda we JUST WANT TO WIN DAMNIT!

No sir, no more value votes for us! Just beating Hillary is all that matters. So drink yours today and it will help wash the taste right out of your mouth!

Rudy whiskey will make you want to throw away your  guns and dress like a woman! Good Stuff!

 

[flintsilver7]

True, but you'll find plenty of people here who would seemingly rather have Hillary than Rudy. Even if his stances on abortion and gun control remain the worst they could be, we need a strong leader and an economic conservative - and moreover, one that can win.

[flintsilver7]

Are Rudy and Hillary identical on economic policy and foreign policy? You certainly seem to think so.

[bluecollarman]

Also let me throw in this nice quote provided by AuntB

Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost." --John Quincy Adams

[bluecollarman]

"Are Rudy and Hillary identical on economic policy and foreign policy? You certainly seem to think so."


I refer you to post number 6

[Optimist]

support among California conservatives

what, from both of them?

[Mojave]

Smart conservatives are also realists.

Vidkin Quisling?

[freeplancer]

Keep Dreaming.

[CyberAnt]

The point is .. IT'S WAY TOO EARLY FOR THIS DECISION.

What if Fred Thompson gets in the race ..?? He's more in line with conservatives than Rudy .. and what will the state GOP do when the candidate they have chosen to support no longer has the support of the BASE ..??

This is a STUPID MOVE .. but the CA GOP has not been known for smarts.

[Pistolshot]

The 'he can beat Hillary' mantra is old and not worth giving up the values we need to have in a candidate. Hillary will self destruct herself, a la Howard Dean, Her temper will be her undoing.

the fact that Rudy is 'ahead' TWO years from the election or even a full year before the first prinmary indicates the candidates we need to unify the party haven't gotten in.

What foreign policy experience does Rudy have? None. His only experience is having to deal with Brooklyn vs Queens.

[veronica]

BTTT...

[flintsilver7]

Voting for somebody you know won't win is about as useful as panning for gold in your own shower.

You ignored my points. I presume it's people like you who put the Democrats in power today because you voted "on principle" rather than with your brain. Lots of people blame liberals for voting with their hearts instead of their head yet conservatives do the same thing.

But go ahead and do what you do. I expect to see you back here whining endlessly as President Hillary surrenders to the terrorists. I expect to see you back here whining endlessly when President Hillary jacks up taxes to pay for socialized medicine. Good call.

[Lets Be Frank]

I'm so down today about the lack of spine in the Republican party, that I've decided that will be my number one issue, even above Illegal Immigration. "WHO WILL STAND UP FOR THE PARTY AND AGAINST DIRTY TRICKS BY THE LEFT AND THEIR ALLIES IN THE MEDIA!"

[Mojave]

The 'he can beat Hillary' mantra is old

And probably false.

[veronica]

What foreign policy experience did GWB have?

[bluecollarman]

California conservatives

These days isn't that one of them oxymoron things?

[Mojave]

Voting for somebody you know won't win is about as useful as panning for gold in your own shower.

By that logic, so is voting for somebody you know will win.

[LdSentinal]

What foreign policy experience does Rudy have? None. His only experience is having to deal with Brooklyn vs Queens

The same could be said for Ronald Reagan.

And Condi is not running.