I had a great time interviewing Chuck Todd of The Hotline a couple of weeks ago. Chuck’s a bright and savvy guy. So I admit my jaw dropped – out of surprise and disappointment – when he opined that Rudy Giuliani would not run for president. The former mayor wouldn’t want the grief from the NY tabs (that scandal thang). Also Chuck thought Giuiliani was too interested in the big bucks to go for the power, even if that power was the most important job on earth.
Well, I’m pleased to say, for now, that Chuck was wrong. Rudy seems to be running. He did the Exploratory Committee thing today. And I’m a happy camper not just because his views most closely represent mine (they do), but because he appears able to lead, a trait few have and one that will be highly necessary, I suspect, in the years to come. He also seems not particularly bound by party and ideological cant (a Freeranger, in the new Pajamas parlance). That’s a good thing to me, although I know “party faithful” are suspcious of that. But I’m suspicious of “party faithful.” And I think, as the years go on, there are going to be more people like me. [You've been wrong before.-ed. Not in the last ten minutes.]
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19 Comments
1. David Thomson:Rudy Giuliani has my support. He is my number one choice. I am convinced that he would appoint strict constructionists to the US Supreme Court. There should not be such a thing as an anti-abortionist or pro-choice judge. Such a concept is legal insanity. Lawrence Siberman is personally pro-choice, but also extremely hostile towards Roe vs. Wade.
Nov 13, 2006 - 4:37 pm 2. syn:Big problem with this nomination, Hillary and her Hollywood/Journalist fiends would guarantee the first female socialist presidental victory just broadcasting the dirt on Guiliani. NYC’s former ‘Hitler’ hasn’t a prayer surviving Hillary’s wrath. Since 1999 look what she brought upon George W Bush as revenge against the Republican Party for impeaching her husband.
Nov 13, 2006 - 5:38 pm 3. patrick neid:i think folks will be surprised by how many people rally to rudi. we’re lucky to have him…..
Nov 13, 2006 - 6:00 pm 4. chrisa798:My vote is Rudy’s if he runs. I care not about any scandals (unless something that would have been huge enough to keep him from even exploring were to come out, which I think is a self-negating contingency).
We need him much more than he needs the position, which makes him the anti-Hillary, for a start.
Nov 13, 2006 - 7:34 pm 5. Roger:syn, Hillary is not a socialist. She is a rich lady. I have known many socialists and she is not one. You may not agree with her politics, but that doesn’t make her a socialist. Furthermore, given her husband’s sex problems, she is the last one to be able to attack Rudy on that basis. Others perhaps would have a better chance (Edwards, assuming his marriage is stable). But Hillary would just call attention to her crazy marriage. It’s a non-starter for her.
Nov 13, 2006 - 7:58 pm 6. JM Hanes:Just tell me where to sign up, please!
Nov 13, 2006 - 8:04 pm 7. cubanbob:Correction Roger, Hillary is like Sorros or Teddy Kennedy, a socialist with your money, not theirs.
Nov 13, 2006 - 9:15 pm 8. Barrett:I also know a few very wealthy people who vote quite progressive after hiring the finest tax lawyers, accountants and other advisers that money can buy. They never let their principals interfere with their wallets.
Roger,
Hillary is a socialist. If you have doubts, read her vaunted revision of the US healthcare system.
Regarding Rudy, I am very open. He has certain views that differ significantly from my own. However, he thinks. He is articulate and has the skills to tell people what he would do and why. I think he would be aggressive with the radical Islamists that seek to destroy us. I believe he would look to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law. Rudy has been proven to be fiscally responsible.
Everyone has skeletons and moments of indescretion. Does anyone remember President “Willy” and some of his escapades?
In any case, he is the antithesis of Hillary, which is very appealing. The debates alone would be worth throwing a party.
Nov 13, 2006 - 10:43 pm 9. Barrett:Syn,
Hillary has a fair amount of dirt of her own. She has spent the last eight years trying bury bones, appear moderate and initiate no legislation that could come back to haunt her.
I think she is arrogant and power hungry. She will say anything to obtain power. People like this are dangerous. I could see her pushing Bill for Secretary General of the UN. What a combo! She believes that she knows what is best for you and me. More government solutions to every problem. That’s enough for me to just say no!
Nov 13, 2006 - 10:51 pm 10. Terrye:I like Rudy. I read somewhere that he is one of the members of the Iraq Survey Group that will be coming out. That might have some impact on his nomination in some circles. But over all I think people like him.
I don’t like Hillary or turst her. But I would not call her a socialist, unless you are prepared to call half the country socialist. Most Americans support government assistance with some things. They do not want government breathing down their necs 24/7, but when they need it they damn well expect it to be there. Case in point: Katrina and/or rising healthcare costs.
Nov 14, 2006 - 2:21 am 11. exsubmariner:Yipppiiieeeee, here’s to Rudy getting enought feedback that says go for it buddy. I haven’t officially worked for a campaign in decades, but would happily join his.
Nov 14, 2006 - 2:40 am 12. syn:Hillary has something Guiliani hasn’t Hollywood/Mainstream media in her pocket. Hillary won’t be out in front attacking any of the candidates that’s what her fiends Barbara Streisand and Katie Couric are for.
Roger, Hillary is a Socialist as are numerous rich and powerful people. That said, out of every dollar spent on entitlement programs (ie Socialism) only .12 cents ever actually reaches the poor the rest goes to Big Daddy guvment’s pocket.
Terrye
‘Most Americans support government assistance with some things. They do not want government breathing down their necks 24/7, but when they need it they damn well expect it to be there. Case in point:Katrina and/or rising healthcare costs”
Since people have different needs which “things” do most Americans expect from the guvment? How are these ‘things’ paid for and by whom? Are you paying the tab for all these “things” or do you believe they’re paid for by money grown on trees?
That said, in around about way you sound like a 16 yr old who wants mommy and daddy to take care of all your problems while you stay out all night partying. I guess I’m not like most Americans, I see the wisdom of Reagan’s Revolution.
Obviously since we have spent billions on Katrina but those areas demanding Big Daddy guvment take care of the problem are still in a mess. Case in point: Ground zero Mississippi, poorer than oil rich Louisiana, has done a far better job of rugged individual survivalism than has the Serfdom of the South.
If Americans are wealthy enough to spend $150.00 on a Bruce Springstein rock concert, $350 on a Madonna Pop show, $50 bucks a pop on game boys, endless money buying DVD/CD’s, cable TV, personal cell phones, etc, etc etc they appear to have enough money to pay for their own health care insurance. See, guvment assistance these days really means that a 16 year old expects Mommy and Daddy to give them all the goodies in life while having the luxury to party all night long.
Encouraging the unwashed masses to depend on lifelong Big Daddy guvment care is cruel and inhumane because all you are doing is creating a nation of hapless serfs incapable of caring for themselves. Case in point: Louisiana created a society of hapless serfs, Katrina brought that insanity out in the open for all to see.
Nov 14, 2006 - 4:05 am 13. Bruce Wechsler:I’d likely vote for Rudy, though it was a bit unseemly and petty how he used to pick fights while NYC Mayor with those least capable of defending (e.g. street vendors).
ROger wrote that Rudy is “…not particularly bound by party and ideological cant (a Freeranger, in the new Pajamas parlance).”
So would Lieberman qualify in your mind to run as the Freerange VP runningmate? I’m interested if any of you think that could occur and if so what their chances would be.
Nov 14, 2006 - 12:16 pm 14. Bruce Wechsler:And of course, from a pure “politics as entertainment” angle, it’s hard not to root for a Hillary v Rudy matchup. But it will be hard to fully enjoy without knowing for sure she’d lose.
Nov 14, 2006 - 12:22 pm 15. Walter Guest:I donít know Guiliani as well as I know Gingrich and Rumsfeld. If he is as smart as them and as good a debater then Iíll be for him.
McCain? He is one of the bravest men America has ever produced. I admire him greatly. But I donít think he would make a good president.
Nov 14, 2006 - 2:40 pm 16. ricpic:Wow, is there anything more blinding than ego? Rudy is a dead herring west of the Hudson but his giant swelled head makes him oblivious to the obvious. And speaking of heads, the guy’s deeply physically unappealing as well. Go back to making another gazillion as an “advisor,” and give up on the pipe dream, Rudy.
Nov 14, 2006 - 4:15 pm 17. Jane Whitson:After reading Rudy’s book on leadership several years ago, which I highly recommend, I knew he was the candidate I would most like to support if he ever ran for national office. He is the epitome of a real leader. And I support him enthusiastically.
Nov 14, 2006 - 8:43 pm 18. exguru:Ronald Reagan proved long ago that the Republican “party faithful” would welcome you if you could win. He was a long-time outspoken Democrat and a divorced man, besides. So that won’t stop Rudy.
What will stop him is his pro-abortion and toleration for same-sex marriage, i.e., his liberal viewpoints. Rudy was an extremely liberal Republican at one time, and elephants never forget.
A good spot for him might be Attorney General under the next president. I think he would enforce the laws.
Nov 15, 2006 - 12:27 am 19. trainer:Exguru is right on the money…with the added fillup that Rudy is actively anti-2nd amendment.
That said, as a conservative I would probably vote for him for one single overriding reason.
He leads.
I complain constantly about the low quality of our political class, and the total lack of statesmanship in those we elect (it doesn’t help living in New Jersey). Sometimes just listing their names drives me crazy. If he can get past the primaries, he’s got a good chance. That’s a big if.
Nov 16, 2006 - 8:05 am