Giuliani's Convictions Could Win Over Republicans

DMN/ vis Real Clear Politics ^ | July 7, 2006 | Mark Davis

[Liz]

"Any slim chance Rudy had in 2008 took another big hit last week when Bernie Kerik -- Rudy's former police commissioner and the guy Rudy himself recommended to the White House to head the Department of Homeland Security -- was publicly exposed as the corrupt SOB many of us already knew he was."

Bernie and Rudy are business partners doing global security consulting. This means that if Rudy got into the WH, Kerik would be looking over all those FBI files.

[You Dirty Rats]

Ronald Reagan had no Washington experience whatsoever. He was head of the Screen Actors Guild with NO political standing until he gave a great speech supporting B. Goldwater. Then he became Governor of California.

I guess using your criteria, Reagan wouldn't get your vote for the Republican nomination. Ford, Rockefeller and GHW Bush would all be better nominees because they have Washington experience, right?

[Sabramerican]

The entire establishment of NYC, including Jews like Ed Koch, came down on him for throwing Arafat out.

You leave out his explanation for the act. It had nothing to do with Israel.

He said that as the third highest official in the Reagan Justice Dept, he had actual knowledge that Arafat was directly guilty of the murder of two US diplomats, Ambassador Cleo Noel and U.S. Charges d'affaires George Curtis Moore.

You can always dismiss what someone has done but the fact remains that he- and only he- did what was needed. No one before and no one since.

[gondramB]

>>Bernie and Rudy are business partners doing global security consulting. This means that if Rudy got into the WH, Kerik would be looking over all those FBI files.<<

I'm not a Guiliani supporter but I thought he had distanced himself from Bernie after the Homeland Security debacle.

[You Dirty Rats]

Maybe the question should be phrased this way:

If one was a 'Rat Presidential election consultant, which Republican Nominee would be the hardest to beat?

Anyone who thinks George Allen would be harder to beat than Rudy is myopic enough to qualify for an extra deduction on their income tax.

[Jameison]

"In case you haven't noticed this over the years, Republicans have much higher standards when it comes to this kind of thing. "

Republicans are better people than RATS.
No question about that.
But he have had our share of corrupt oficials.
We just had a Republican congressman, "Duke" Cunningham, put in jail for corruption, and currently the Republican governor of Ohio, Bob Taft is mirred in corruption even as we speak.
Bernard Kerik being corrupt, is not equal to Rudy being corrupt.
It's like saying President Bush is corrupt because he used to be friends with Ken Lay.
It's a non-issue.

[Alberta's Child]

He said that as the third highest official in the Reagan Justice Dept, he had actual knowledge that Arafat was directly guilty of the murder of two US diplomats, Ambassador Cleo Noel and U.S. Charges d'affaires George Curtis Moore.

Pardon my French, but then why didn't he have the f#cker arrested?

[areafiftyone]

Bernie and Rudy are business partners doing global security consulting

SORRY YOU ARE WRONG! Kerik is NO LONGER a business partner with Rudy.

[tkathy]

Rudy is electable. No one else is at this point. It's very doubtful that Allen is electable out of his region he's an unknown.

[princess leah]

Karl Rove went and met with Guiliani early on this year which means one thing: this is the guy they are going to promote. Bush won't go out on a limb for McCain, and there isn't anyone else out there to fight the war on terror that Bush could feel comfortable handing the sword to after he leaves. It's got to be a hawk and Guiliani will be that guy. The moral issues are frankly ones that the gov't has been TOO much involved in and should be ratcheted back down to the states levels. And he'll get the New York vote, even over Hillary and that's a whole lot of electoral votes.

[Jameison]

"Anyone who thinks George Allen would be harder to beat than Rudy is myopic enough to qualify for an extra deduction on their income tax."

LOL!

[areafiftyone]

Anyone who thinks George Allen would be harder to beat than Rudy is myopic enough to qualify for an extra deduction on their income tax.

I totally agree!

[MEGoody]

I would't vote for Rudy in the primary, but given a choice between Rudy and the Dem candidate, Rudy will get my vote.

Now, if my two choices in the primary are Rudy and McCain, hmmm. . .I'd have to think that one over.

[MEGoody]

It's very doubtful that Allen is electable out of his region he's an unknown.

Many Presidents were unknowns outside their own region until they ran.

[pepperdog]

We'll never have a "perfect" candidate. If Rudy would make a positive statement on the Second Amendment and state publicly that he believes in the right of private citizens to keep and bear arms, as guaranteed by the Constitution and if he would pledge to leave the abortion question to the states I could vote for him.

[Jameison]

" It's very doubtful that Allen is electable out of his region he's an unknown."


As at now, Allen is not even close to Hitlery in the polls.
But of course, I'd vote for Allen if he should win the Republican nomination.

[jla]

Because, Hildy, Giuliani will never be accepted by the Christian Right, nor by a majority of conservatives, Christian or not.
He has not done one, single, solitary thing to combat terrorism, yet folks elevate this former mayor to superman status. Why?
That's not rhetorically asked, I honestly wish I knew why people think this man is capable of leading this nation against the terrorist threat.
Hildy, I realize that you are not as concerned with issues such as abortion and marriage as I and many others are. But I know you are a conservative in fiscal and defense matters, so tell me what compels you to think Giuliani to be more-than-satisfactory in these areas?

I myself, at this point in time, support Allen. He can sweep the South and non-coastal western states, assuring us a victory in '08.
As a former governor and current senator, he is just as, if not more, qualified than a former mayor to lead the WOT, plus he has a proven record of conservatism in economical, cultural, defense, immigration and all other facets of government.

[gondramB]

>>Ronald Reagan had no Washington experience whatsoever. He was head of the Screen Actors Guild with NO political standing until he gave a great speech supporting B. Goldwater. Then he became Governor of California.

I guess using your criteria, Reagan wouldn't get your vote for the Republican nomination. Ford, Rockefeller and GHW Bush would all be better nominees because they have Washington experience, right?<<

I didn't say that. I merely pointed out his minimal Washington experience - that's not the only criteria of course. As mayor he is a chief executive type - like Governor Reagan. Chief executive experience is important too - one reason governors are elected President more often than Senators.

BTW, GHW Bush41 did a good job. With an unexpected war you have a choice between raising taxes and running a large deficit. Since Reagan, his predecessor had run the largest deficit in history Bush41 did the economically correct thing.

He ran the gulf war as well as any war in history and kept good foreign relations. I'd vote for him now if he was younger.

[You Dirty Rats]

If Rudy runs, he'd be the favorite to win the New Hampshire Primary.

He would be a lock for most if not all of the Northeast states. I would think he would do well in the large Midwest states also.

He'd be the favorite for California.

Most importantly, he's supporting Republican candidates all over the country this year and making LOTS of friends.

I think Rudy is the favorite to win the nomination if he runs. I don't see anyone out there at this point who could beat him.

BUT, as a poster said, it's still early.

[Beagle8U]

"Rudy is electable. No one else is at this point. It's very doubtful that Allen is electable out of his region he's an unknown."

Rudy isn't electable. The NRA and Right to Life will crush him, the base would never nominate such a liberal twit.

Perfect mayor for a liberal city, that is as far as he will ever go politically.