Mona Charen: Is Guiliani a Conservative? He Just Might Be

Southern Illinoisian ^ | 2/11/07 | Mona Charen

[Mr. Silverback]

It's getting quite funny how much panic there is over Rudy among the Pout Crowd.

You know, for the most part, even though I'm a rock-ribbed social conservative, I have stayed on the sidelines throughout the Rudy debate on FR.

But one thing I have definitely noticed: For the most part, the "Pout Crowd" as you describe them, save their insults for Rudy and other RINO pols. And for the most part, Rudy's supporters aim their insults at social conservatives because they dare to want a president whop isn't a gun grabber and opposes ripping small children's limbs off.

Hmmmmm...

[Nonstatist]

Quit while you are ahead

Dont go crying to the moderator when somebody says something you dont agree with..Dirtboy.

[dirtboy]

Dont go crying to the moderator when somebody says something you dont agree with

Quit making slimy posts.

[JulieRNR21]

How come NO ONE on this freakin' site can spell Giuliani?

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For what it's worth, the spell-checker on this site does not include the name "Giuliani," and notes it as misspelled. ("Gilliam" is the first suggested alternative.)

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Spelling problem is easily solved by calling him:

[SaxxonWoods]

I agree with your post in general. I'm going to the sidelines myself. My point was that I tend to think in the positive. I strive to ignore what I don't want and push what and who I do want. I'm not perfect at this, but I'm getting much better with practice.

Paying more attention to Rudy, whether by boosting or insult, or even polite dismay, attracts and enlarges Rudy's power. Everyone else just gets ignored. Those who don't want Rudy need to say, "Here's a candidate who is better, and here's why." Candidates only really lose when no one pays attention to them, barring giant scandals, of course.

I'm going to the sidelines because I have decided the attack behavior is a function of personality, not politics. It's a waste of time to decry it in this venue.

I'm undecided on a candidate at this point.

[Mr. Silverback]

What I think we should all do is go to our corners and prepare to come out swinging when the primaries actually start. It won't be long into them befoire we know who's for real and who isn't.

[Mr. Silverback]

Remember Rudy was acceptable enough to liberal New York to get elected mayor years ago.

I'm not in favor of nominating Rudy, but this argument you put forth doesn't hold water.

The Dinkins administration was so bad that there was a core group of NYC voters that would have pulled the lever for ANYBODY who had the promise of being a real law and order candidate. It's been estimated that Giuliani's election saved the lives of around 5,000 New Yorkers, given the difference between murder rates under hisand Dinkin's administrations.

Therefore, acting as if Rudy is Gavin Newsom with better PR is not only inaccurate, but unlikely to win over any voter who gives it serious thought.