Giuliani's Convictions Could Win Over Republicans

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

[chiller]

Twenty-eight months to go, and I can't wait.

( edit )

Since Condi insists she isn't interested - and for the moment I believe her - speculation ranges from base-pleasing Republicans like Sens. Bill Frist, Sam Brownback and my current favorite, George Allen, to the intriguing prospects of envelope-pushers like John McCain and Rudy Giuliani.

And these two intriguing figures constitute my point of the day. There are two things I have stopped saying: first, Mr. McCain can't win, and second, Rudy won't run.

I still don't believe Mr. McCain will be the '08 nominee, but his loyal support for the war has healed some distaste that the GOP base has had for him since he challenged Mr. Bush six years ago. His disconnect with many Republicans on overhauling campaign finance is still an anvil around his prospects, but I can no longer write him off.

As for Mr. Giuliani, I used to say that he won't run and couldn't win if he did. The gay-friendly, abortion-rights-supporting ex-New York mayor whose legacy includes an embrace of gun control? It would seem highly unlikely.

Unless you were in a room with me at the Hotel Crescent Court last month as the Dallas County Republican Party welcomed Mr. Giuliani to a fundraiser also heralding local congressional candidates.

I served as master of ceremonies, and there was a thoroughly polite welcome for the GOP primary survivors who will try to unseat Reps. Eddie Bernice Johnson and Chet Edwards.

But it was Mr. Giuliani who put a room of Reagan-loving red-staters into a positive swoon.

He did it with steadfast support for the Bush war doctrine, coupled with a passion for tight borders that even the still-admired incumbent cannot muster. He did it with strong fiscal conservatism, another Bush weakness. And he did it with a passionate pitch for school choice, an issue Republicans have neglected - mysteriously, since scads of Republicans and Democrats want it.

His content was great. His style was even better. His sharp wit and off-the-cuff comfort are miles beyond the average glazed, scripted politician. He sports a good-natured partisan streak that puts him a head above Mr. McCain, who seems to gag on any sentence suggesting that a Democrat might be wrong.

This is not my prediction that Mr. Giuliani's hand will rest on a Bible at the swearing-in on Jan. 20, 2009. But the Bible-embracing core of the GOP shows a willingness to consider him as he includes evangelical groups in his curious tour of various Republican constituencies.

He will not launch a national gun grab, leaving gun statutes to the cities. He will not push for nationwide gay marriage, happy to leave those decisions to the states, where the Constitution says they belong. He will not pound the bully pulpit for affirmative action, leaving that to the courts.

And speaking of the courts, he speaks glowingly of Mr. Bush's Supreme Court selections, Samuel Alito and John Roberts, suggesting he does not necessarily dream of packing the court with sure-fire abortion-rights opponents.

Throw in the tasty imagery of the Mayor of America wiping the debate stage floor with Mrs. Clinton or virtually anyone else, and it's the kind of thing to make a Republican heart quicken.

I don't know yet whether I can be a Rudy voter, but I'd enjoy watching him try to make me one.

Mark Davis is a columnist for the Dallas Morning News. The Mark Davis Show is heard weekdays nationwide on the ABC Radio Network. His e-mail address is mdavis@wbap.com.

[Blackirish]

I see. Like his arrogant, open violation of the 1996 Federal law that made it illegal for cities like New York to enact "sanctuary" policies for illegal aliens?

---

After seeing the towers fall I'm sure Rudy will have no problem being tough on the borders.

[democrats_nightmare]

While George Allen is my current favorite, I agree with the author. Rudy could be the one. In fact, he would be easily elected if we don't worry about his liberal tendencies. And that's a decision we'll have to make because we haven't got the perfect candidate.

No flames here its just that George Allen seems to be a likeable conservative he strikes me as bit of dim bulb but hopefully I am wrong have been before LOL... Rudy despite the liberal tendencies has good merits if he is definately strong about securing the borders and reigning in runaway government spending he would get my support. Also if we work hard and get a lot of true conservatives in Congress and get rid of the RINOs that helps to balance out any left leanings of Rudy...

McCain is a total non-starter his irrational mentality and open borders policy with Mexico is an automatic disqualification.

thanks for the post and have a good day....regards DN

[gondramB]

>>Guliani on the other hand can actually articulate the positives of a smaller government....combined with his get tough on borders....vouchers...WOT.

If you think he's riding high in the polls now wait till he really starts running.<<

I'm really hoping for somebody more conservative and also more repsectful of individual rights.

[areafiftyone]

Giuliani will run in 2008 and he will have my vote. He has supported all of Bush's Supreme Court nominees, he's a stanch supporter of the WOT and he makes Democrats pee in their pants in fear.

[DungeonMaster]

I'll never vote for him.

[Ouderkirk]

The Senate would let almost anybody on the court, coming from Rudy, I suppose...

Exactly. I don't trust McCain on that score either. That's where philosophy comes into play. Sure, Rudy would be tough on crime, and the war on terror and fiscal responsibility. These are all laudable goals. But in the end it's the direction of the Courts that helps advance the liberal agenda.

[Sabramerican]

What a terrible indictment of the man.

He has Gay friends.

He lets Gays advice him on which tie to wear. Might he have been the inspiration for Queer Eye for the Straight Guy?

He is a heterosexual adulterer and also maybe a closet gay? And he can't pick his own ties. Maybe you suggest burning him at the stake.

If he was either or both or none, he would still be head and shoulders above anyone else mentioned for the office.

[karnage]

Great post.
I like Giuliani.
Proven leader.

[Alberta's Child]

After seeing those towers fall, I'm sure Rudy did his damn best to pretend he never supported that policy in the first place. But it is worth noting that in the two months between 9/11 and the November election in which his successor was picked, he didn't do a damn thing to change that city policy, either.

I never thought I'd see the day when so many so-called "conservatives" would actually promote a flaming liberal from New York City -- who ought to be sitting in a Federal prison right now -- as the ideal candidate for the Republican Party in a presidential election.

[Sabramerican]

You're right.

But I believe it would be for Giuliani. And only for Giuliani.

[Liz]

Q. How do you get voters to really understand the Rudy candidacy?

A. Pass out leaflets of the NY Mag story..... with illustrations.

Three’s Company; Picking Up After Rudy By Jed Heyman New York Magazine. Even pitched as a sitcom, it would seem farfetched: Marital problems force the Republican mayor of New York out of Gracie Mansion and into the apartment of a gay friend and his life partner. That’s what happened when Rudy Giuliani moved into the 57th Street apartment of longtime friend Howard Koeppel and his partner, Mark. Queens native Koeppel, owner of a string of car-dealerships, spoke to Jed Heyman about his friend’s plans for 2008 and aversion to “doggy talk.”

Rudy in his inaugural gown.

[maxter]

If it is a no go for Dick Cheney and Condi, my rathers of the group that are out there now is .... Newt Gringhrich.

[jla]

Goo-Rudy! Goo-Rudy!

[Ouderkirk]

Tom Tancredo talks the talk, and walks the walk.

[gondramB]

>>Giuliani will run in 2008 and he will have my vote. He has supported all of Bush's Supreme Court nominees, he's a stanch supporter of the WOT and he makes Democrats pee in their pants in fear.<<


Those are all important points.

My concerns go to gun rights, immigration, unions and individual rights. Also isn't he pro-choice or am I confused on that?

[Tax-chick]

Interesting use of language in this piece ... "intriguing" = "liberal."

[gondramB]

>>If it is a no go for Dick Cheney and Condi, my rathers of the group that are out there now is .... Newt Gringhrich.<<

I like Newt too but there will be a lot of character attacks to deal with.

[seasoned traditionalist]

I'm not sure about Rudy either, however, one thing I can state unequivocally is that if it was between Rudy and McPain, there is no doubt in my mind who I would not only vote for, but work diligently for the former and against the latter.

[trickyricky]

....some really good weed, man....

Enjoy yourself, but if Bush had the liberal credentials of Guilianni,
Gore would have handily won the election.
No doubt about it.

I hope the so-called "republican elite" gets their head out of their ass before
the 2008 presidential election, or we will surely see a democrat in the White House.

[gondramB]

>>I'm not sure about Rudy either, however, one thing I can state unequivocally is that if it was between Rudy and McPain, there is no doubt in my mind who I would not only vote for, but work diligently for the former and against the latter.<<

Aside from little things like issues, I'd pick the one less likely to go nuts (or more nuts as the case may be.)