I was growing disenchanted with Rudy's behavior as Mayor prior to September 11th...but a "bum"?
Nope. Anybody with a brain remembered Dinkins and knew exactly what a "bum" was.
If I remember correctly, you were living in New York City back then (as was I). Sure the press had turned on him by then, but what was not to like about him? Compare him to Dinkins and Bloomberg, and you appreciate how hard the job was BEFORE 9/11 and how excellent he was at it. I don't want Rudy Giuliani to be president, but he may have been the best mayor NYC ever had.