Just my 2 cents as a former NY’er that witnessed the remarkable turn around of the city under Giuliani.
I would argue that no Republican politician since Reagan has made a better case for what following Conservative principles can accomplish even in an environment that is completely hostile to Republicans.
Is he a conservative across the board ? Of course not, but his stances on crime/welfare/taxes/incarcerated criminals/spending/unions are not only conservative but a textbook example of how conservatism can work anywhere.
If he was conservative on any more issues he wouldn’t have been elected and the social issues that he took a liberal stance on were impossible to change in NYC IMO. Don’t forget his days as a prosecutor, his stance against the mob was heroic in my mind.
Probably not a popular opinion on here but I don’t think it’s fair to simply write him off as a non-conservative or a RINO.
Rooty maybe a conservative by NYCity standards. Which means, Rooty ain't no conservative. Even his tough on crime approach had its drawbacks. Giuliani is a gun grabbing authoritarian, who applied gestapo tactics to the broken windows philosophy that actually started long before he took office. Rooty is a Rockefeller Republican who spent a lifetime supporting liberal issues and liberal causes as a Democrat and Independent. Highlighted by his continued support for gun control, gay rights, abortion on demand and partial birth abortion. Giuliani's goal wasn't to limit government. Rather it was to make liberal NYCity operate more efficiently and effectively. Which he did in his first term only.
Bottom line, Rooty's a menace to conservatism. And linking Rooty to Reagan in any way, shape or form is the ultimate outrage.