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American Spectator: Rudy's New Social Conservatism
American Spectator Magazine ^ | 2.15.07 | Jennifer Rubin

Posted on 02/15/2007 10:12:09 AM PST by meg88

Pundits of all political persuasions have been chattering about whether Rudy Giuliani, whose name is invariably modified by the description "social liberal," can overcome the objections of many religious conservatives to win the Republican nomination.

Will his assurances to appoint judges in the mold of Roberts, Alito and Scalia be "enough" to put their concerns to rest? Will conservatives overlook social issues in an election focusing largely on foreign policy?

The more interesting question is whether Giuliani can establish a new description of what it means to be "socially conservative." Perhaps to be socially conservative means something more than just fidelity to pro-life and anti-gay marriage positions.

Giuliani has a convincing argument that he is an ethical or cultural conservative who in the end will protect the values that most conservative Republicans hold dear.

What does this mean? It means that he sees the world as a battle between good and evil, and politics as a struggle between decent hard working people and elites who have too little respect for their values -- public safety, respect for religion and public virtue.

His world view is not one of multi-culturalism or moral relativism. He shows no empathy for bullies -- be they Mafia bosses or Al Sharpton. Giuliani, of course, first rose to public prominence by fighting the largest bully he could find: the Mob. Time magazine called his prosecution in 1985 of 11 Mafia leaders the "Case of Cases" and quoted his declared intention to "wipe out the five families."

For him, it is all about who is good and who is not, regardless of whose feathers he might ruffle.

Liberal sympathy for the plight of the Palestinians and diplomatic niceties did not prevent him from tossing Yasser Arafat (with great delight) from Lincoln Center.

(Excerpt) Read more at spectator.org ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Editorial; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: beatitliberal; conman; electionpresident; giuliani; giuliani2008; phony; pseudocon; rudy
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To: meg88

I am hoping Newt jumps in.

I don't want to desert the GOP, I want to fight with them. Anyone but Rudy and I roll-up my sleeves.

If it's Rudy, I'm afraid it's time for at least a temporary divorce.

:-(


41 posted on 02/15/2007 10:40:21 AM PST by TitansAFC (Pacifism is not peace; pacifists are not peacemakers.)
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To: Zack Nguyen

"A Giuliani nomination will split this party wide open, possibly fracturing it beyond repair."

LOL!!!! Thanks, I enjoy a good laugh.


42 posted on 02/15/2007 10:41:38 AM PST by My GOP (Conservatives are realistic and pragmatic!!)
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To: meg88
Giuliani will not ONLY get Hillary elected..
He will get her elected with a MANDATE..

At least thats what the democrats will call it..
Rudy should be in the cabinet maybe but not President elect..

Many republicans WILL NOT vote for Giuliani..
OR any of the other republican leftists..

NEWT is the ONLY game in town that could give Hillary a run for her money..
She would NEVER debate him.. NEVER.. He would kill her..

The question: has America been sufficiently dumbed down to elect Hillary?..
By Americas schools and colleges.. especially Americas women..

43 posted on 02/15/2007 10:41:56 AM PST by hosepipe (CAUTION: This propaganda is laced with hyperbole....)
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To: WhistlingPastTheGraveyard

I will not, under any circumstances, vote for the death of my party.



Exactly. It's funny how the RINO supporters keep threatening us with Hillary....when it's them thats bringing Hillary down on their own head by trying to force somebody we can't support upon us.


44 posted on 02/15/2007 10:42:02 AM PST by Dreagon
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To: TitansAFC
I would rather lose the election

Big surprise there. Call out Captain Obvious


45 posted on 02/15/2007 10:42:06 AM PST by CobaltBlue (Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice. Moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.)
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To: TitansAFC

Osama bin Laden is happy to know that.


46 posted on 02/15/2007 10:42:29 AM PST by My GOP (Conservatives are realistic and pragmatic!!)
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To: meg88
"For him and those he has befriended, social conservatism means defending a functioning civil society where families enjoy physical security, religious respect, and public decency."

Nice try but no cigar. It appears the attempts to spin Rudy into a social conservative will never end.

47 posted on 02/15/2007 10:42:56 AM PST by TAdams8591 (Guilianni is a Liberal who cannot beat Hillary!)
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To: Cicero

How will Rudy change Roe v. Wade while in office? (since he has said he will already appoint judges compatible with Chief Justice Roberts)


48 posted on 02/15/2007 10:42:58 AM PST by meg88
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To: FreeReign

---"Would you like me to explain it further to you or are you smart enough to know the difference."---

Nope, you've explained your view adequately:

$2 is less than $1.


49 posted on 02/15/2007 10:43:26 AM PST by TitansAFC (Pacifism is not peace; pacifists are not peacemakers.)
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To: CobaltBlue

If standing for principle means nothing to you, then why does your tagline read as it does?


50 posted on 02/15/2007 10:43:34 AM PST by azhenfud (The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.)
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To: TitansAFC


No Rudy, ever. We'll try again in 2012.




After Hillary gets to pack the court 2012 will be already lost.

F that.


51 posted on 02/15/2007 10:44:05 AM PST by Blackirish
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To: TitansAFC

At least you admitted you are on the fringe and unappeasable.


52 posted on 02/15/2007 10:44:12 AM PST by My GOP (Conservatives are realistic and pragmatic!!)
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To: flashbunny

As the skin of the onion is slowly peeled away, we start to see that the St. Rudy supporters are not just backing him because he is the “only hope of winning”, but they are starting to reveal that they are in agreement with a large percentage of his liberal social views. (if not all)

The repugnant venom directed to the core of conservative social beliefs is just appalling by these Liberal Republican supporters on the FR. It is in many ways disheartening to see how the St. Rudy supporters are so affirming of St. Rudy, and defend his beliefs and his Liberal doctrine as something that was in the past and not part of his “current” beliefs.

As St. Rudy is continued to be painted as a righteous (real conservative) leader for America by his supporters, his FR supporters will start flipping their cards over to reveal that their personal convictions are in concert with Guiliani’s.


53 posted on 02/15/2007 10:44:43 AM PST by Afronaut (Supporting Republican Liberals is the Undeniable End to Freedom)
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To: meg88

We've been over the judge thing.

His definition of "strict constructionist" is radically different than yours and mine.

That's like trusting Hitlery because she says she's against "judicial activism."


54 posted on 02/15/2007 10:44:48 AM PST by TitansAFC (Pacifism is not peace; pacifists are not peacemakers.)
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To: Blackirish

Not only the courts, but Osama bin Laden will be stronger than ever!!!


55 posted on 02/15/2007 10:45:24 AM PST by My GOP (Conservatives are realistic and pragmatic!!)
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To: Zack Nguyen
I'm very surprised to see so many "conservative" people in media and government tossing their principles aside like this simply for the sake of political expediency.

If any Republicans had stood up in 1999 and suggested that Rudy Giuliani would be a great canadidate for the White House, they'd be laughed out of the room without a shred of credibility left.

56 posted on 02/15/2007 10:47:09 AM PST by Alberta's Child (Can money pay for all the days I lived awake but half asleep?)
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To: meg88

I am hardly a conservative "purist." Rudy is not even 50% of what we're looking for. To use such an argument on behalf of Rudy is laughable.


57 posted on 02/15/2007 10:47:50 AM PST by TAdams8591 (Guilianni is a Liberal who cannot beat Hillary!)
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To: My GOP
Osama bin Laden is happy to know that.

That is way out of bounds. Many Republicans oppose Giuliani for substantive, policy-based reasons. There are a significant number of Giuliani supporters who continually question the patriotism and loyalty of those of us who are not convinced. I oppose Rudy Giuliani, and I will accept criticism on that score, but being called pro-terrorist, or pro-Hillary Clinton is going too far. It is a recipe to drive people away for good.

58 posted on 02/15/2007 10:47:54 AM PST by Zack Nguyen
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To: My GOP

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1785129/posts?page=156#156


59 posted on 02/15/2007 10:48:50 AM PST by Afronaut (Supporting Republican Liberals is the Undeniable End to Freedom)
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To: Zack Nguyen
[.. A Giuliani nomination will split this party wide open, possibly fracturing it beyond repair. ..]

George Bush has already done that..
ONLY NEWT could repair the breach..

It looks awfully good for the Hildebeast..
Course its early.. but the MsM and MsP are working overtime and with much intensity to make the Giuliani and Clinton contest happen..

What ever the MsM and MsP is for has red flags all over it..
Republicans are following like a Pavlof's Dog.. as usual..
A disgusting sight here at freeRepublic..

60 posted on 02/15/2007 10:49:03 AM PST by hosepipe (CAUTION: This propaganda is laced with hyperbole....)
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