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.
I don't think Rudy helped himself with this speech.
Hey, Rudy:
How about if you drop out of the race, and if we can’t find someone better than you, we’ll put you back onto the ballot? Trust us.
If Giuliani wins the Republican nomination, I will support him and urge all others to back whoever our Republican nominee is.
“Translation: Accept abortion”
Bingo!
So, you going help a socialist who will destroy our country get elected instead. Rudy isn’t perfect, but he’s no Clinton.
Then, be prepared for Hillary Clinton to be the next President of United States because millions of conservatives aren't going to vote for a liberal like Giuliani.
Why, I'd think that with that message, he could also gobble up voters in far-southern Utah and far-northern Arizona. I'd think the Republicans could be all opened-armed to the fundamentalist LDS polygamists if only Republicans would be significantly more loose about how it defines marriage. [sarc]
Bingo! Well said..
I don’t trust someone who says “trust me”.
A liberal Republican does far more damage than liberal Democrat. It's ashame some people are too stupid to understand that. But, all one has to do is look at what is going on in California with the governorship of Arnold Schwarzenegger to realize that voting for a liberal of either party is a disaster.
But, if he somehow gets the nomination, trust me, I can't want to see those that were dumb enough to support him suffer as he gets destroyed by Hillary.
The GOP returns to the principles of Reagan or it can crash and burn.
I think you need head the warning of Gary Bauer who said that the damage Hillary will inflict on this country will be felt for decades, if we still have a country in 20 years. I am NOT saying I am supporting Rudy in the primary, but if he gets the nod I will support him financially and politically.
I am with you 100%. I profoundly disagree with Giuliani on a number of issues, but I respect his leadership, toughness and understanding of the war oagainst Islamofascism.
Giuliani/McCain ‘08!
Not.
Your statement inspired the following thought: The best way to ensure that many women who don't feel comfortable with Hillary will vote for her, is to make the election between the man who cheated, and the woman who was cheated on.
Hate is an ugly thing to see. I don’t care if it’s Bush derangement syndrome at MoveOn or Rudy bashing on FR. It’s just not a pleasant post.
Pure stupid BS. The presidency is the total sum of the administration, not one man. A Republican presidency will empower the Republican party, bringing Republican judges and helping Republican congressional candidates.. A Democrat presidency the opposite.
Anything other than supporting and voting for the Republican party is helping Hillary. That's just the facts.
The election will be determined by the voters in the center picking a side. Those folks aren't "values voters" and it won't matter a bit to them. Rudy is touted to have the best shot at getting those centrist voters and winning, and it may be true.
Better any Republican than a communist like Hillary.
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