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 2 of 3)
16. Rudy is by far the best candidate for president. He was an excellent mayor of New York and largely responsible for making Times Square once again the center of New York! His leadership during 9/11 was calm, effective and reassuring. While others were out grandstanding and appearing at every press conference possible, Rudy was with the police and firemen, trying to make their jobs easier, not trying to get in the way or grandstanding. I would hope we, as a nation, can accept the fact that a candidates marital life and/or problems disqualify him or her from public office. If that's the case, we should have ridden Jack Kennedy and Bill Clinton out of town on a rail. In fact, both were good, effective leaders. Go Rudy!!! After the Bush disaster, we need calm, enlightened leadership!!!
GeraldR5 at 4:12PM on Feb 26th 2007
17. I think Rudy Giuliani is happily free from infighting. His private life should have no bearing on a potentially great future president. Hurrah for Rudy!!
Helga James at 10:02PM on Feb 26th 2007
18. Give me a BREAK DEMOCRATS!! YOU THINK TEDDY KENNEDY IS ANY BETTER? He KILLED a girl at Chappaquadic,REMEMBER????????????????
He left her to die, Dems have just as much smut as the Republicans. IF Hilary wins , it will ONLY be because of the "POOR ME" Syndrome , because her husband (OUR FINE PRESIDENT....NOT!) cheated on her. She can't manage a country EITHER!!
C.A. at 5:07PM on Feb 26th 2007
19. RUDY GOT RICJH OFF 911 HIS SECURITY COMPANY AND SPEAKING FEES, I WOULD NOT VOTE FOR HIM IF HE RAN ALONE
jim williams at 7:28PM on Feb 26th 2007
20. Is he Mormon? Appears to me he's a "serial"
polygamist--he takes one wife right after another.
Eva at 9:52PM on Feb 26th 2007
21. Rudy, of course, will be fine. In fact, he will be our next President.
David Vail at 10:08PM on Feb 26th 2007
22. I'm a New Yorker, and I was here before he became mayor. This was the Dinkins era. Creime was horrible, and robbery and murder was a regular happening. During Rudy's Administration, this changed. I was personal friends with one woman who was mugged 13 times. By the 2nd term of Rudy's she no longer had to fear for her life.
There are a million New Yorkers who can tell the same story. Did I love Rudy? No. Do I think he had a positive impact? Yes.
le wilhelm at 11:39PM on Feb 26th 2007
23. Rudy would be a great presedent. I am from NYC and saw first hand of what he can do. He cleand up a city that was in disary for many decades within just a few years cleaned up the city from crime people came back to live and invest in this city. He takes no BS he tells you just how it is and what must be done.You may not like it but in time you see that he is right. A leader should always be a staight shooter not someone that tells you what you want to hear and is not good for your country or city GO RUDY
Ralph T at 11:43PM on Feb 26th 2007
24. If Giuliani's nominated, Des ought to be able to use this "drag show" vid of him the way the GOP used "Tank Boy" against Dukakis:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IrE6FMpai8
Roger at 2:29AM on Feb 27th 2007
25. If Giuliani's nominated, Dems ought to be able to use this "drag show" vid of him the way the GOP used "Tank Boy" against Dukakis:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IrE6FMpai8
Roger at 2:30AM on Feb 27th 2007
26. Rudy would make a GREAT president and AOL knows it, that's why he's "dangerous" to them and other leftwing media. Furthermore, he's not anti-abortion or anti-gay... liberals must be wetting their pants.
Bo at 4:50PM on Mar 2nd 2007
27. Rudy is not someone I would want to represent the USA his dress is hap-hazard..... his demeanor and his slurred speech! We have someone like that in office now Bush -we need someone new and fresh sharp and articulate~ Certainly not Rudy!!
jlarsen at 4:49AM on Feb 27th 2007
28. Well here we go the comments with people that support either Mrs. Clinton ( Our former president in the wings) and "O" from Ill that is a nice peson , intellegent but is on the floor two days with his experience .
I don't know Rudy however, as a person who worked and presented federal cases at SDNY when Rudy took over I could see the tempo of the Us Atty. Office change . Let's investigate and bring people to justice who violate the laws .
Before he was elected Mayor of NYC the city was becoming a crime city of America, thanks to our useless mayor at the time Dinkins
The city under his adminstartion started to turn arround . It became cleaner , crime was down and the city was running like a world class city. Of course you had people yelling he is doing this and that , he is BULLY etc . The end result NYC today has the LOWEST crime rate of ANY major US city .
I saw some comments about the World Trade attacks of 1993 and of course 9/11. WEll boys ad girs I investigated both events and the support in '93 was beter than excellent . The events of 9/11 that was a national event , but we had a TRUE LEADER IN NYC in such dark times . I , when permitted paid respect to a number FDNY, NYPD , PAPD officers Rudy drained and running on nerves attended as many sad services as he could .
All I can say folk , I did not work for the City of NY and was in no way under NYC command HOWEVER, I live and my loved ones live in NYC and with Rudy we all felt that there was a leader with direction when our world went nuts .
My only comment about Mrs. "C " and Mr. "O" they are light weights WITH NO OR LITTLE TRACK RECORDS they are so political they want the power and office
they don't have the backgrown they pander to females, blacks , liberals , anti Bush people .
The day of 9/11 is long over but we are in a 9/11 era ..who do you want to be President ...think Don't be fooled America has entered a new era ..you need proven people not someone who is liberal /conservative , white/black . male/female etc . Select and vote the BEST .......
Enzo Cannizzo at 8:19AM on Feb 27th 2007
29. Rudy has most of the right and most of the middle voters, he will win, We need a leader we need Rudy.
Hillary is not a leader, she got her position from bills coattails , and she will not win she is ugly and I hate to hear her voice.
dude lebowski at 8:14AM on Feb 27th 2007
30. I support what the conservative republican part stands for but if Giuliani become the candidate I will not vote for him because of his position on abortion, gun control, and gay marriage...especially on abortion. And you know what? I do not believe that he could win the election with his stance on those issues.
Nickie
Nickie at 10:38AM on Feb 27th 2007