Posted on 10/20/2007 10:21:39 AM PDT by Ol' Sparky
Former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, walking into a political lion’s den, told the year’s largest gathering of social conservatives that he is “not always the best example of faith” but that their similarities are much greater than their differences.
“Isn’t it better that I tell you what I really believe instead of changing all my positions?” Giuliani told an audience of 2,000 at the Family Research Council's Values Voters Summit at a Washington hotel. “I believe trust is more important than 100 percent agreement.”
The audience, generally hostile to Giuliani, recognized the shot at former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, and laughter and a few cheers spread across the room.
The former mayor, who left the stage grinning amid applause after his 40-minute speech, went for an authenticity contrast with Romney, substituting his law and order credentials for the family values emphasis of Romney, a long-married father of five.
Giuliani paid obeisance to the group’s concerns by speaking at length about his support for school choice, home schooling, conservative judges and Israel.
All drew earnest – even enthusiastic – applause. He also gave a detailed plan for reducing abortions and increasing adoptions, the meatiest policy element of his speech.
It was the “everything but” approach – he could agree with the audience on almost everything except whether a woman should be able to choose an abortion, which he supports.
"You and I know I’m not a perfect person,” he said. “I pray for forgiveness, I pray for strength.... I feel my faith deeply, although perhaps more privately than others, because of the way I was brought up.” He said he had prayed to God at the toughest parts of his life.
“During our lives, at some time, all of us need forgiveness,” he added. “If we expect perfection from our political leaders, we’re just asking for disappointment .... We lose trust when they’re not honest with us.... I don’t always agree with myself. [Laughter] … You’ll always know where I stand.... I will continue to extend my hand to you. I hope you’ll take it.”
Giuliani showed humor, noting that he almost entered seminary: “I know that’s hard to believe.” Noting that he attended Catholic school, he said the first school he attended where a prayer wasn’t said at the beginning of the day was the New York University School of Law.
He said that on the first day, out of confusion, he made the sign of the cross. “I looked around and realized people were staring at me,” he joked.
Giuliani pointed out that as New York mayor, he reduced murder, drugs, prostitution and other vices. "I don't believe in inevitable decline," he said, adding he shares President Ronald Reagan's belief in optimism.
"You put Republican ideas into action.... We got results. Humbly, I would say, the best results anyone in that time got in government."
"We drove pornography out of Times Square and other public spaces," he said, drawing hearty applause. "The pornographers lost and they were driven out of Times Square."
Instead of pandering to the group, Giuliani held his ground.
“We’ve got to find a way to be more inclusive,” Giuliani said. “Christianity is all about inclusiveness. It’s built around the most profound act of love in human history, isn’t it? … I’m running for president of the United States because I believe I can bring us together. Strong leadership can help us find common solutions to our problems.”
Giuliani drew laughter by saying he spends as little time in Washington as possible: “I’m afraid there’s something in the air here.”
“I’m not going to pretend that I can be all things to all people,” he declared. “I’m just not like that.”
But he added, in another dig at Romney, “I’ll always be honest with you.... You will always know where I stand.”
“You have absolutely nothing to fear from me,” Giuliani went on, adding that he was puzzled by those who make him out to be some kind of liberal activist: “Just read any New York Times editorial when I was mayor of New York City.” That got a big laugh.
Giuliani was speaking to one of the most conservative audiences in American politics. During a Christian worship service from the podium an hour before Giuliani spoke, leader Ron Freeman interspersed the praise hymn “Blessed be the Name” with the hopeful wish:
“We’ve got the right Senate and the Congress!” The prayer included: “We’ve tried hard to make your agenda, our agenda.”
Politico’s Jonathan Martin contributed to this report.
“People saying what they will *never* do. etc.”
That’s called standing on principle. Might want to bookmark that for future reference.
That's right. It's your way or the highway.
You are the one supporting a liberal!
Why, because we will not support a liberal in our so called party?
If it comes to supporting a LIBERAL,,,,
YOU BET IT IS!!!!!
Wrong. If we say hello to President Hillary, it WILL SOLELY be the fault of those that voted to give conservatives a nominee that was unacceptably liberal.
Either the party returns to the principles of Reagan OR IT WILL CONTINUE TO LOSE ELECTION AFTER ELECTION?
So, you have been warned. Make sure a conservative nominee that can unify the party is elected or Hillary Clinton becomes President.
Did you "learn more about him", or become victim to some sophisticated campaign against him?
The people who run campaigns, on both sides of the isle, are very adept at trashing people, whomever they are. No politician is as bad, and none are as good, as they are made out to seem.
I have disagreements with Rudy. But he is a vast improvement over Hillary, and taking steps today that will hurt the chances of defeating hillary in '08 is not a smart thing to do.
In particular, "making up your mind" on Rudy today is not a good idea for conservative values. Vote against him in the primary, but have an open mind that he's not satan and it's OK to vote for him next Nov if he's the candidate.
That makes as much sense as saying "guns kill people". Guns don't kill people, people do. Rudy can't divide the party, unless enough members in the party get stupid and make it happen. Don't be stupid.
No doubt in my mind that Hillary *will* in fact have people pushing that idea. It's the job of sane people to reject the effort.
We can withstand four years of Hillary Clinton if that is what it takes to turn the nation back to conservatism. We can't withstand a liberal Republican that will damage the conservative movement for more than a decade.
Putting Giuliani in office sets conservatism back to where it was before Reagan took office. And, that is what will make the country crash and burn.
I understand what you are saying and it is a valid point, but it is not what I am saying. Jesus was a Jew, it did not change his calling himself a Jew, those Jews that followed him were still Jewish. Origins anyway, as you state. Yes they basically are now just recognized as Christians, but their roots allow them to claim the title of Christian Jews in my opinion.
Thanks for your input on the subject Blaster. It was very insightful and I see where I perhaps have overstated my position to the point it can be rendered obtuse. I will yield on this subject.
Rush didn't call people in the military "phony soldiers", and I didn't use the words "Conservative taliban". Look it up.
“Rudy can’t divide the party, unless enough members in the party get stupid and make it happen. Don’t be stupid.”
You are so right, I hope they stay smart and don’t nominate the POS liberal in the first place.
I'm not making an argument for Rudy over anyone else. I'm attempting to talk some sense into people who are attempting to trash him now, when that may be a big mistake come next Nov.
I am doing damage control, while many on this thread are spreading the gasoline and Hillary is laughing her head off at us.
But, but, I thought Rudy was a big lib? You mean he isn't a tax-and-spend Republican?
“But, you apparently don’t give a rat’s behind about throwing social conservatives, gun owners, etc. under a bus and demanding they vote for Giuliani.”
I never said or implied such a thing. I said I understand and respect your decision to not vote for Guiliani in the primary. At other threads in the past, I have stated that it would be wrong for you to compromise your principles for electability and vote for Rudy.
While I am pro Rudy for many good reasons, my sole point and focus is anti- Hillary.
A split in the party would be those who have not accepted a fair fight and lost. The split in the party would be those that abandoned it and stayed home or voted 3rd party and thereby elected Hillary.
If you don’t like the Republican nominee you will be faced with a decision with the decision as to whether to help elect Hillary or not. If such a decison occurs, I hope you will engage me in a discussion.
Which is intimidation, that if we don't join with you and others against Rudy that we'll be isolated away from some FR clique. I'm not buying it.
No it sounded like a proclamation of good character in my opinion.
What difference when Schwarzenegger is implementing the same policies Bustamonte would have?
The only thing putting Schwarzenegger in did is guarantee eight years of all-out liberalism with no chance of getting even a moderately conservative candidate in office.
And, McClintok could have won if not for Republican-first types like you. Then again, I doubt you care because you're likely not a conservative anyway.
It is true, though.
I wish people would learn to read.
I will support Giuliani in the general election, but not in the primary.
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