In a post yesterday, Cenc Uygur refers to Rudy Giuliani as "the most dangerous candidate in America." Here's a transcript of an interview Giuliani did yesterday with radio talk show host, and influential conservative author and blogger, Hugh Hewitt. Based on the way Rudy handles himself, Rudy may well be the most dangerous candidate in America if you're committed to electing a Democratic president in 2008.
Giuliani does have hidden liabilities, of course. Although his non-conservative positions on abortion, gay marriage, and gun control are known to conservative activists, who seem surprisingly unconcerned, they are not yet widelyl known to rank-and-file social conservatives, who may be less forgiving.
In addition, Rudy apparently has all sorts of personal baggage from his day's as mayor, and perhaps more recently in connection with his business dealings. But if Rudy's opponent ends up being Hillary Clinton, it's hard to see how he comes off any worse than even in the baggage department.
In any case, the ability Giuliani shows in the Hewitt interview to present himself as likeable (notice the self-effacing comments), tolerant, competent, and experienced (notice the references to his service during Reagan era) would serve him very well against any Democratic opponent.
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 3)
1. Welcome to AOL, Power Line. One more "mountain comes to Mohammed" moment in history.
Charlie Eklund at 1:35PM on Feb 24th 2007
2. I agree with your comments, Paul. Rudy is a proven leader, and none of his likely democrat opponents are. Even Kerry had to go back to his days as the commander of a five man boat,30 some years before, to show any leadership experience. Hillary and Obama don't even had that much. Being a senate prima donna isn't leadership experience.
If Rudy can get by the far right-wing of the GOP, he will make a great candidate.
Wally Lind at 1:39PM on Feb 24th 2007
3. here's a video I can guarantee you Rudy would prefer you didn't see. Not exactly presidential:
http://minor-ripper.blogspot.com/2007/02/video-rudy-giuliani-does-not-want-you.html
MINORRIPPER at 2:44PM on Feb 24th 2007
4. Rudy is the candidate that Democrats would like to face the most. He's America's mayor, but all he has is 9-11. There are several drawbacks. Rudy in a dress. Rudy's love life and the Vagina Monologues. Rudy was in charge during Diallo and the mop handle incident. Is this the "Shining City on the Hill" all Americans would love to see? Rudy is tough, but there is a "Dean Factor" working against him. Rudy might not win the nomination. Republicans are in trouble because the country is running away from Bush. Unless Republicans can find a Joe Lieberman, Democrats will win. If they take a Lieberman, then that's the ultimate "Flop". Rudy in a dress is not an image of strength.
Cecil Jones at 10:35AM on Feb 25th 2007
5. I agree that the Dems are scared of Rudy. If all he had was 9/11, that would be quite enough. I can't see any of the leading Dems dealing with such a crisis; I can only see them rubbing their hands together and blaming the last elected Republican for enabling the crisis to come to fruition.
Isabell at 12:17PM on Feb 25th 2007
6. Surprised Rudy gets a pass for not having better security procedures ( attacks were predicted) and emergency preparedness considering he was in charge in 1993 when towers were bombed...police and fire departments could not communicate with each other resulting in hundreds of fire department personnel not being evacuated on time..should he not have had heads of both departments together as they dealt with situation....9/11 was a colossal failure of security...emergency preparedness and no one was held accountable...Rudy may be as more arrogant than our president...a frightful thought!
jack francis winn at 1:48PM on Feb 25th 2007
7. If Rudy is dangerous, what do we call Hillary? She freaks the moment anyone barks back at her and she has no backbone. She turned her back on New YOrkers on 9-11 and ran away with her daughter from downtown Manhattan to safety while Rudy and his team were in the trenches helping out with the leadership skills Hillary wishes she had.
Marvin CHiuauah at 7:17PM on Feb 25th 2007
8. Joe Lieberman is a turn coat. He should go fight with the Israel army. What he wants u.s.a. to do is to take out Iran. Let them do their own thing. Haven't we done enough? Joe will change over to be a repulican, the coward. They are the ones that put him in office. I think he has seen the last of the easy money. You should be run out of the state the coward.
george powell sr. at 4:16PM on Feb 25th 2007
9. 9/11 that all i hear,tell me what the hell did this guy rudy do.except get his picture taken every time he could had no time for anything else.people that lives there are saying the same thing.one person tell me what he did that was so great and if someone else was mayor would not had done the same come on bush and rudy lovers tell me, that what i though.republican are all.....
mccotter at 6:09PM on Feb 25th 2007
10. I like Rudy....truly the best we could get out of what is running ! He handled a tough city...he can handle this country
anniesez at 6:54PM on Feb 25th 2007
11. WHAT A JOKE, THE MAN HAS NO MORALS.
SEXXYLEE at 6:55PM on Feb 25th 2007
12. Rudy is NOT a proven leader.. as a New Yorker I can tell you he is nothing but a GOP pop star full of hot air. He kicked his wife and kids out of Gracie mansion to bring in his MISTRESS, give me a break! Stories about how a 7 month pregnant woman got ticketed for sitting on the subway steps by a female cop non the less were a daily occurence under his iron fisted rule. I couldn't picture him in the senate let alone the white house. I expect my future pres to have experience in BOTH Domestic AND Global affairs. The only muslim Rude-e's ever deat with is an NYC taxi cab driver give me a break... he's nothing but an italian from Brooklyn who happened to be mayor and if it wasn't because he was present during 9/11, no one would know his name. His 5 minutes were up a LONG time ago. America truly does NOT know this man.
Hillary presided over NY during 9/11 and has fiercly fought for New York to get the anti-terrorist funds we deserve while Bush was giving equal amount of funds to states like Wyoming for fux sake!! Hillary continues to be an essential factor in keeping our state and city safe and fighting for New Yorkers and THAT is why she got re-elected by an overwhelming majority. Not because "New York is full of liberals" like so many of you repukes write us off as. Where has Guliani been since 9/11.. writing boooks!!?? PLEASE!! If it came down between ex NY mayor Rude-ee and Senator Clinton, NY is going to Hillary hands down. Hillary looks like GOD next to McCain and Guliani scum.
Chris at 12:06PM on Feb 26th 2007
13. How can Republicans, especially the most socially conservative, who were so incensed over Bill Clinton's sexual misbehavior possibly countenance Giuliani's history of marital woes and adultery without showing themselves as the basest hypocrites?
Debra P. at 12:53PM on Feb 26th 2007
14. Rudy is dangerous, I agree. Have we all forgotten how he attempted to cancel or reverse the election for the mayor of New York just after 9/11? In the days folowing 9/11 he seriously suggested and attempted to follow through with that preposal. He was so desperate to stay on the political stage following 9/11 that he suggested only his presence could pull the city through. In a third world country, he would have used his police force to stay on board. As president, would he consider martial law to stay in office? It must be a part of his logic. Check the news reports just following 9/11 and see what you think.
How did he do this and it not be noticed by anyone in the present situation?
Julus Moore at 3:25PM on Feb 26th 2007
15. Mr. Giuliani's philosophy about surveilance of American's privacy, makes Mr. George Bush look like a long-haired, joint-in-mouth, kiss-my-behind, peace-sign-carrying hippie. Rudy supports abortion, is against 2nd Amendment Rights, complete Federalist against States Rights, and on top of all that a complete Freakin A-Hole.
Chucky at 9:09AM on Feb 27th 2007