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Giuliani a tough conservative sell
AP on Yahoo ^ | 1/25/07 | Liz Sidoti - ap

Posted on 01/25/2007 8:32:31 PM PST by NormsRevenge

WASHINGTON - Rudy Giuliani's star has hardly dimmed in the five years since terrorists attacked his city on Sept. 11, 2001, and he became a national hero _ the face of U.S. resolve at a time of tragedy.

The Republican dubbed "America's Mayor" hopes to ride that celebrity and his record at City Hall to the White House by emphasizing his leadership skills and embracing the strong-on-security, limited-government tenets of the GOP.

"If he can handle the scrutiny, and if events break his way, sure, he can win," said Fred Siegel, who wrote a Giuliani biography, "The Prince of the City."

Giuliani's quest to capture his party's presidential nomination won't be easy.

He's a moderate Republican from New York City, on the wrong side of social issues in the eyes of hard-core conservatives who are a crucial voting bloc in the primaries. His mayoral tenure was marked by criticism of an overzealous police force. He's linked to the city's scandal-plagued ex-police chief Bernard Kerik. His thicket of business interests could pose conflicts. He's been divorced twice.

"I sure have strengths and weaknesses," Giuliani said recently. "I think that sort of puts me in the same category as just about everybody else that's running. Are my strengths greater or my weaknesses worse? I don't know. You have to sort of examine that. That won't be the issue."

His challenge will be to remind voters of his take-charge attitude on Sept. 11 and his two-term mayoral reign, at the same time his main rivals _ Sen. John McCain (news, bio, voting record) of Arizona and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney _ no doubt will try to exploit his background and record. For now, both are trying to gauge how much of a threat he may be.

Giuliani, who formed a presidential exploratory committee last year, is betting that the Republican rank-and-file will look past his liabilities. His aides dismiss skeptics who say he has too many flaws to win over primary voters a year from now.

"I believe they'll look at the picture as a whole," said Tony Carbonetti, Giuliani's longtime political adviser. "This (New York) was an unmanageable city, and I think what people want today is a manager, someone to lead in difficult times and to lead in not-difficult times.

"We're going to continue to tell that story," he said.

Before Sept. 11, Giuliani was known as the hard-charging prosecutor-turned-politician who cleaned up Times Square, led the city out of fiscal despair and brought Republican rule back to the liberal mecca.

Giuliani, of course, made enemies in the process, but on Sept. 11 even his chronic critics were muted when he took charge amid the rubble of the World Trade Center's twin towers. To many, he became a picture of strength, a reminder of the resilience of the American spirit.

"He has a connection to that. He is unique. On the other hand you look at the politics and you say this is a problem," said Alex Vogel, a Republican strategist in Washington who is not affiliated with any presidential candidate.

"The question is: Can you win a Republican primary a different way? History keeps saying no. But history has never presented us with someone whose favorability numbers are as high as Rudy's."

Indeed, national polls have consistently shown him leading for the GOP nomination, and early surveys in key states show him ahead or competitive. He travels to one important state, New Hampshire, this weekend where he will give the keynote address at the state GOP's annual meeting.

For all the hype since 2001, Giuliani didn't start preparing for a presidential run in earnest until after November's elections. Thus, he has lagged behind McCain and Romney in courting fundraisers, setting up a national organization and hiring ground operatives in key states, although he has made progress on all fronts recently.

Giuliani's aides insist they're making strides toward filling out his campaign. They say he can raise the $80 million to $100 million necessary this year for a serious run. Name recognition, obviously, isn't an issue.

Neither, his supporters argue, is likability. They say he appeals to people across the political spectrum and in every region of the country, meaning he could expand the general election playing field. That, his backers say, makes him the Republican most likely to beat the presumptive Democratic front-runner, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York.

Perhaps.

But first he has to capture the GOP nomination _ and the big question is whether he can win over enough Republicans in states like Iowa and South Carolina, among the first nominating contests where voters are solid conservatives and could be turned off by his stance on social issues.

"Giuliani is going to have to convince people that he's more conservative than his record otherwise would suggest," said Peverill Squire, who teaches politics at the University of Iowa.

The former mayor's support for abortion rights, gay rights and gun control conflict with the hard-line positions of the GOP's right. His supporters say he's not as liberal on those issues as he's made out to be. Still, he's from New York _ and that alone rankles the party's conservative wing.

Despite that, Giuliani's backers contend _ and some Republican strategists agree _ that he could get support from fiscal conservatives because of his record of cutting taxes, curbing spending and promoting small government, particularly now when the base is smarting over the soaring federal deficit under Republicans.

And, with the country still at war, his link to Sept. 11 _ the brand of a strong leader _ could trump the base's concerns about his background and stand on social issues.

"Giuliani's national security credentials will allow him to span ideological divides in the Republican Party and win conservative votes," said Greg Strimple, a GOP strategist in New York who is neutral in the race.

Unknown is whether Giuliani can woo enough of those base Republican voters to win the nomination and, if not, whether he can make up the difference by attracting independents and Democrats.

"His opening could come if people really think that somebody like Hillary is running away with it, and if there's a perception that only Giuliani can beat her," said John Truscott, an unaffiliated Republican strategist in Michigan.

Another factor that could help Giuliani is how the primary calendar shakes out.

New Hampshire and Michigan hold early contests, and New Jersey, California, Illinois, Florida and other states viewed as more hospitable to a moderate may schedule their votes earlier in the year, perhaps lessening the importance of a strong showing for Giuliani in Iowa and South Carolina.

For all the obstacles, even folks with ties to Giuliani's opponents can't deny that the New Yorker has a shot.

Said Ken Khachigian of California, who served as a strategist for President Reagan and was with McCain in 2000: "I would never sell Giuliani short."


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Government; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: 2008; conservative; electionpresident; elections; giuliani; sell; tough
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To: tomcorn

You just described my opinion of Alan Keyes completely! Thank you!


161 posted on 01/25/2007 10:11:42 PM PST by PhiKapMom (Broken Glass Republican - Vote Rudy/Steele - Take Back the House and Senate in '08)
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To: TitansAFC

I just wondered - because I've read other posts (not just you) from people who have put *their* values over everything else. In other words - they are making the 2008 race about them and their values and if the country does not accept them, their beliefs and their values - then they say, essentially, "to hell with the country".


162 posted on 01/25/2007 10:11:42 PM PST by Sunsong
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To: TitansAFC
I do care, and I need one party that does - not two that don't.

Obviously you care enough to give Hillary a vote.

163 posted on 01/25/2007 10:12:20 PM PST by BigSkyFreeper (There is no alternative to the GOP except varying degrees of insanity)
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To: Sunsong
I just wondered - because I've read other posts (not just you) from people who have put *their* values over everything else. In other words - they are making the 2008 race about them and their values and if the country does not accept them, their beliefs and their values - then they say, essentially, "to hell with the country".

WOW! Very well put! Thank you for those comments because it sums it up perfectly!

164 posted on 01/25/2007 10:12:50 PM PST by PhiKapMom (Broken Glass Republican - Vote Rudy/Steele - Take Back the House and Senate in '08)
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To: narses

All mayors participate in every minority, women's rights and gay events. Sheesh!

You've been living with your head in the sand.


165 posted on 01/25/2007 10:13:16 PM PST by BunnySlippers (SAY YES TO RUDY !!!)
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To: billorites

"Am I a bad Republican?"

If you are, than so am I.
Newt talks the best line, but he reminds me of Richard Nixon.


166 posted on 01/25/2007 10:13:36 PM PST by rogator
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To: PzLdr

As long as "conservatives" will vote for the likes of Rudy, the GOP will never get back to its conservative roots. It won't have to.

Exactly.
How many times have we on FR ridiculed the blacks for voting Dem when they get nothing in return. Do you think the GOP will do better with subservient conservatives?


167 posted on 01/25/2007 10:14:13 PM PST by freedomfiter2 (“No, I have not supported that," Guiliani when asked about a ban on partial birth abortion)
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To: Sunsong

BUMP


168 posted on 01/25/2007 10:14:20 PM PST by onyx (DEFEAT Hillary Clinton, Marxist, student of Saul Alinsky & ally and beneficiary of Soros.)
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To: Sunsong

These people are so insecure. They are not fiscal conservatives ... they are only in the Republican party because it panders to them.


169 posted on 01/25/2007 10:15:25 PM PST by BunnySlippers (SAY YES TO RUDY !!!)
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To: BigSkyFreeper

Exactly! A lot of us come from States that do elect conservatives but they rant we are not the conservatives, but they are. Amazing! Why don't they get out and elect conservatives and quit bashing us. I have two conservative Senators along with a Congressman -- worked on all three campaigns so I have done my part! :)


170 posted on 01/25/2007 10:15:55 PM PST by PhiKapMom (Broken Glass Republican - Vote Rudy/Steele - Take Back the House and Senate in '08)
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To: BunnySlippers

I am tired of pandering!


171 posted on 01/25/2007 10:16:26 PM PST by PhiKapMom (Broken Glass Republican - Vote Rudy/Steele - Take Back the House and Senate in '08)
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To: freedomfiter2
Do you think the GOP will do better with subservient conservatives?

You make that sound, somehow, predestined. Why not get involved with the GOP yourself, given your righteous indignation?
172 posted on 01/25/2007 10:16:47 PM PST by IslandJeff (that for every right there is a duty, for every benefit an obligation)
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To: BigSkyFreeper
No, I'm obviously no Republican [You seem to have the two confused]. Since Rudy hasn't enunciated what he'll do if made POTUS, let's look at the themes of his Mayoralty:

PERSONALITY: Rudy routinely took credit for his subordinates' ideas. If they got any ink/credit, they were gone. The policing theory was Bratton's. When the media mentioned it, Rudy forced him out. Rudy micromanages. He likes weak subordinates. The name Bernie Kerik ring a bell? On the other hand, if something went south, Rudy never took the blame.

PHILOSOPHY: Rudy's a Statist. One of his major wars was CENTRALIZING the educational system in the Bd/Ed, and putting his 'yes men' in . Rudy's that great combination of egocentric [bordering on megalomaniac and micro manager. His photo's in the dictionary next to the definition of anal compulsive. you can look it up.

Rudy's heavily anti-Second Amendment. There wasn't a gun control measure he didn't support in NYC [if he didn't start it.

Rudy's VERY pro-abortion. Never met one he didn't support, if not like. Never used his bully pulpit to argue against it.

Gay Rights: See above. I believe [but I'm not positive] that city benefits for gay couples came into force on his watch.

Immigration: Rudy's the one who ordered NY agencies NOT to cooperate with the Feds on illegals.

Taxes: Rudy did, initially, and to his credit, seek to lower taxes and regulation of business. But by the end of his mayoralty, it was going back up.And he wasn't pushing it anymore.

So tell me, what,in the area of political philosophy, stands out as an example of "conservatism? Guns? Abortion? Immigration? Gay Rights? Taxes? You're the one who's obviously no Conservative.
173 posted on 01/25/2007 10:18:09 PM PST by PzLdr ("The Emperor is not as forgiving as I am" - Darth Vader)
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To: upsdriver

You need to understand, to me, voting for someone who supports abortion is like sanctioning it.


That's because it is.


174 posted on 01/25/2007 10:18:11 PM PST by freedomfiter2 (“No, I have not supported that," Guiliani when asked about a ban on partial birth abortion)
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To: freedomfiter2
As long as "conservatives" will vote for the likes of Rudy, the GOP will never get back to its conservative roots. It won't have to.

Conservative is FISCAL conservitism ... not SOCIAL conservatism. It never was until the social conservatives started blackmailing the GOP.

175 posted on 01/25/2007 10:18:15 PM PST by BunnySlippers (SAY YES TO RUDY !!!)
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To: PhiKapMom
Your welcome. There is a post of yours that I like to repost(s) - because it sums up a lot, too:

Back to the basics of a strong national security including protecting our borders, less government, lower taxes, and sending social issues back to the State by appointing strict constitutionalist judges is the prescription for victory IMHO! - PhiKapMom

I don't know why we can't coalesce around those ideas (maybe add a couple more)

176 posted on 01/25/2007 10:18:20 PM PST by Sunsong
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To: BunnySlippers
Many people who would otherwise vote Republican don't ... because they fear [rightly so in my book] the Jerry Falwell branch of the party.

I am hearing that more and more here in OK and I couldn't agree more!

177 posted on 01/25/2007 10:18:38 PM PST by PhiKapMom (Broken Glass Republican - Vote Rudy/Steele - Take Back the House and Senate in '08)
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To: PhiKapMom; BigSkyFreeper; Sunsong

It's tiresome. Stuck in blue states and demanding others vote their way. Fix their own respective states.


178 posted on 01/25/2007 10:19:19 PM PST by onyx (DEFEAT Hillary Clinton, Marxist, student of Saul Alinsky & ally and beneficiary of Soros.)
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To: PhiKapMom

The GOP took a wrong turn when it started playing to social conservatives.

Very few even care about fiscal conservatism.


179 posted on 01/25/2007 10:19:23 PM PST by BunnySlippers (SAY YES TO RUDY !!!)
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To: BunnySlippers
---"Many people who would otherwise vote Republican don't ... because they fear [rightly so in my book] the Jerry Falwell branch of the party."---

I find it amazing how many Liberal boogyman quotes get posted by you in the Rudy fetish threads. Liberal talking points about the SoCons right down to the letter - ver batum.

No. You should be on Democrat boards convincing them to be better fiscally and on defense - political issues - than in a party where you're trying to convince people to willingly surrender their deeply held beliefs.

But I think there are some of those Christians at your door right now with Bibles waiting to take you away to a concentration camp. So ping me when you escape.
180 posted on 01/25/2007 10:19:42 PM PST by TitansAFC (Pacifism is not peace; pacifists are not peacemakers.)
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