Posted on 07/07/2006 7:32:14 AM PDT by chiller
Yes, it is. Kerik's unsavory background was known to some of us long before he pleaded guilty last week to a number of criminal counts related to graft and corruption. A person in a position of authority can't hire a slimy, corrupt greaseball to a high-profile public position and then step away and pretend that the actions of said slimy, corrupt greaseball shouldn't reflect poorly on the person who appointed him.
The fact that Kerik was named police commissioner after serving as Giuliani's personal driver is all you really need to know.
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.
And neither one of these guys could be re-elected today. If they were Democrats, they'd be front-runners for their party's nomination by a wide margin.
Could you be more specific? Expound on his "very solid record of achievements".
""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.""
Rudy is perhaps the strongest general election choice for Repubs - that's not the same as saying conservatives should push his nomination. McCain would be strong in the general too - I have the same sorts of concerns there too.
Jurisdiction? Arafat's diplomatic immunity?
Name another politician in the US who actually made UN diplomats' lives miserable?
You can belittle anything he did. I have a long list of things he did I disagree with.
If I could built a perfect candidate I might not choose Giuliani.
In the real world, with his accomplishments, no one comes close to him.
True as well. I guess we'll just have to wait and see what happens.
Thing is Rudy actually believes he is that popular (snicker), another indication he is pathetically in denial.
Go ahead Rudy---throw your hat into the ring. You gonna be blown out of the water so fast, you won't know what hitcha, Your Honor.
You make an excellent point about Chief Executive type.
GWB actually was a private sector CEO before he was Governor. Most Presidents lately have been former Governors or at least ran an organization (GHWB - CIA) before they became President.
Senators, on the other hand, only run their mouths. Other than the Leaders of the Senate, leadership is not needed in the Senate -- in fact, being a narcissistic jackass is what defines most Senators on BOTH sides of the Aisle (Kerry, Kennedy, Biden, Cryin'vich, Stevens, etc).
Yet another reason why someone like George Allen is not a realistic option IMHO. If he wants to be President, then become Governor first and prove you can run something.
I'd vote for Rudi too....
Giuliani has severed all ties to Kerik.
If you want to judge Giuliani a criteria could be who lies about him.
They lie about him from both the Left, and the far crazy Right.
Bernie Kerik.
Yes, Rudy is a dynamic Far Left Republican...A Liberal Republican...
And completely unacceptable to a Conservative...
He and McCain could split a similar vote in NH.
But if he won NH, any candidate the extreme Right would use to prevent him getting the nomination, if they succeed, will get killed in November.
Allen doesn't have the name recognition...I could be wrong, and I don't know all that much about Allen, except that I don't know much. What has Allen done to combat terrorism? I know that Guiliani is tough, that he did the unthinkable in New York, which was to clean it up. I moved from New York before he came to power, and when I returned, I did not recognize the City I left. Hey, I'm open to Allen...I have to find out more about him. This article was about if it came down to McCain or Guiliani. And I do care about Christian values...but it's not the most important thing to me in a President. And that's me being honest.
If Rudy took a stance on Judicial nominiations similar to Bush's -- judges that will follow original intent and not invent new laws -- he'd go a long way to get a lot of GOP votes. As far as abortion and gays, this is the area where a President has the most influence.
"Yet another reason why someone like George Allen is not a realistic option IMHO. If he wants to be President, then become Governor first and prove you can run something."
If you have ever had any creditability in a political debate, it is now gone with that silly statement.
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