I am a conservative Republican who was born in New York City -- I now live about a half mile from where I was born -- and I can say without hesitation that Giuliani was the single best mayor of my lifetime. And I've lived through Wagner, Lindsay, Beam, Koch, Dinkins and now Bloomberg. Giuliani is not a flaming liberal. He may not consider himself a conservative, but anyone whose policies have Upper West Siders calling him a fascist gets my vote.
Your point is well taken. As a life long NYer I too have seen Rudy first hand and close up.
You can know a man by his enemies. Look who is against Rudy and screaming the loudest : Norman Siegel and the ACLU, terrorist lovers and Arafat supporters etc.
Before dismissing a strong candidate like Rudy, people should at least take a good look, and find out what he actually believes, and where he wants to take the country, instead of relying on the left wing MSM to define him.
Very pragmatic, even conservative in your evaluation.
The great conservative scholar Kirk taught that "politics is the art of the possible".
And it is certainly true that conservatism runs through many aspects of a conservative's life, not just politics. Is "intractability" conservative? Perhaps not.
Conservative forces preserve a culture, and even preserve a nation, when they practice sensible politics by conserving their gains, not just making a "grand valiant gesture."
McCain is our next Nixon.
Some one show me one of our vetted guys that can blossum to a winner in the next 120 days.
Make me believe it! Make me believe that he wants it and has the skill to get it.
Until then, this fellow has my grudging support.