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2007-02-06 Home Front: Politix

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Posted by Fred 2007-02-06 00:00|| || Front Page|| [7 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 OTOH, LUCIANNE > GOP is $4.6 Milyuuhn in campaign debt.

Posted by JosephMendiola 2007-02-06 01:23|| 2007-02-06 01:23|| Front Page Top

#2 ...Friends, I gotta tell you - there's a lot about Guiliani I'm not crazy about. On the other hand, there's more I'm not crazy about regarding the other guys. It's not a 'lesser evil' situation, far from it. He's got a lot of good qualities that we need in the White House. But he may very well turn out to be the only electable Republican.

Mike

Posted by Mike Kozlowski 2007-02-06 06:49|| 2007-02-06 06:49|| Front Page Top

#3 Hear, hear, Mike. While I don't like a lot of his stances on social issues, here's what I see. A strong leader in the WoT. Supposedly, even more conservative than Bush on taxes, spending and "big government" issues. I'd hold my nose and vote for him over Hillary ten days to Sunday.

And, on the social issues, if you truly think about it, how much affect does a President have? By that, I mean, look at Bush's fight to just pass the Partial Birth Abortion Ban, and then it got smacked down by the courts. So here's how I see the social issues:

* Abortion: will be "solved" in the courts, not by the Prez.
* Gay "rights": Again, will be ~~shoved down our throats~~ "solved" by the courts. Just note how many State bans on gay marriage are in effect, even by OVERWHELMING majorities when voted upon by the public, only to be forced upon the State by a bunch of oligarchs in black robes.
* Gun control: Sure, Rudy may be a "gun grabber." But, I'd be willing to bet the NRA could sway his vote. Also, note, your other option on this issue is Hillary...not much choice there, either.

Sure, maybe Mitt Romney is a lot more attractive to us "social conservatives." But, he's not electable in my book. You ask the average Joe on the street who he is, and they'll say "Mitt who?" Rudy is "America's mayor" and showed outstanding leadership in the days, weeks and months after 9/11. Everyone recognizes him, and he'd attract some of the "moderate" Democrats out there to vote for the trunks too.

Posted by BA 2007-02-06 09:09|| 2007-02-06 09:09|| Front Page Top

#4 Rudy is probably the GOPs best shot, and he gets it when it comes to the WoT. At least the best I can tell, he does. At this point, it looks like he has the best chance at beating Billary or Obamalamadingdong.

How I would love to watch the Donks seethe over losing another election.

Posted by Mike N. 2007-02-06 09:40|| 2007-02-06 09:40|| Front Page Top

#5 I'm waiting on a player to be named later.
I mean: crikey... it's the beginning of 2007. This will end up being the longest friggin' presidential race in history.

Posted by eLarson 2007-02-06 09:51|| http://larsonian.blogspot.com]">[http://larsonian.blogspot.com] 2007-02-06 09:51|| Front Page Top

#6 Giuliani has already telegraphed his tap dance on social issues. He will claim to be a federalist and he will emphasize his intentions to nominate federal judges that are strict constructionists. That should allow some cover for his right to choose and domestic partner stances but his Second amendment ole soft shoe will need some polishing.

Posted by DepotGuy 2007-02-06 10:18|| 2007-02-06 10:18|| Front Page Top

#7 It's not a great leap of faith for me to support Rudy. We have a lot more common ground than McCain and he has a way better chance of winning.

Posted by Cyber Sarge 2007-02-06 10:30|| 2007-02-06 10:30|| Front Page Top

#8 My push button topics are, in order of importance, WOT, economy, taxes, judges, and bitch slapping the Donks.

Out of the bunch running for Pres now, Rudy's my man.

Posted by USMC6743 2007-02-06 11:50|| 2007-02-06 11:50|| Front Page Top

#9 Rudy, walking onto the football field with all those big players. I think you got my chips Rudy. Let's do it.

Posted by newc">newc 2007-02-06 12:17|| 2007-02-06 12:17|| Front Page Top

#10 lol!

Posted by Mike N. 2007-02-06 13:19|| 2007-02-06 13:19|| Front Page Top

#11 I still dont get the Rudy love from consies, vs the McCain hate.

Giuliani is MORE socially liberal than McCain. Taxes, whoever wins is going to have to deal with the reality of the budget deficit.

The war. Rudys big selling point is 9/11, right? But I thought everyone around here is convinced that this war CANT be won with LE only, its a WAR, that must be one overseas. So between an ex-navy pilot, whos been active in defnese issues since election to the Senate, vs a guy whose sole involvement in the WOT was as a mayor, running a police and fire department, you want Rudy? Yet you laughed at Kerry for saying fire stations were the way to win the WOT?

Oh, and crime came down in NY. Of course it came down in DC under Anthony Williams, but I dont see anyone running him for prez. AFAICT his overall record in NYC was mixed, and that will come out in the campaign.

AFAICT its all cause y'all hate McCain for McCain-Finegold, mainly, and secondarily for Rummy bashing, and for pursuing a compromise on torture (a compromise which the left screams was a cave by McCain, BTW) Well then = what has Rudy said about torture? About the McCain approach on that? Is he agin it? And does he defend Rummy? If he does, ya think Hilary wont use that against him? Ya think the middle is gonna be won by that?

I dunno, it should be an interesting race on the GOP side.

Posted by liberalhawk 2007-02-06 13:57|| 2007-02-06 13:57|| Front Page Top

#12 Hawk, Rudys advantage over McCain is his leadership and that he seems to be less of an attention hound.

Plus, Rudy will make the Donks spend more money in New York and New Jersey than they would if McCain gets the Trunk nod.

Posted by Mike N. 2007-02-06 14:09|| 2007-02-06 14:09|| Front Page Top

#13 Well. I'm more libertarian than conservative, LH, but I'll take a stab at it.

"Giuliani is MORE socially liberal than McCain." Is that more likely to make him win or lose? Won't this election still need to draw from centrist Democrats, non-affiliateds, and moderate Republicans? It strikes me that in a theoretical battle between two extremes (far left and far right), it would be pretty risky for the Pubs to "cling to the right" in the 08 presidential election. And winning they still strive to do.

As far as the WoT and 9/11, I don't imagine that true conservatives have a real issue with either Rudy or McCain-I think either one would be viewed as strong. McCain has an authentic and respected viewpoint because of what he dealt with personally as a POW, but he will risk losing some votes because his definition of terror will be seen by many as a bit hyper-sensitive and over the top.

"Defending Rummy?" How long a shelf life will that have in the presidential election?

I think one factor in 08 is going to be star quality. I still think Obama has a good chance for the Dem nomination, and the Republicans will need a heavyweight star to go up against that. They shouldn't follow the Dem model of 2004 and pick a field of bores.

I have a personal reason to prefer Rudy but don't see McCain as a bad choice, at least internationally. Rudy just has more of that rare charisma than McCain. This race obvisouly has much more to be fleshed out.

Posted by Jules 2007-02-06 14:20|| 2007-02-06 14:20|| Front Page Top

#14 I still dont get the Rudy love from consies, vs the McCain hate.

I perceive McCain to be the Senior Senator from Meet the Press more than I do a member of the Republican Party. Of course, I'm not a member of the Republican Party, so I don't know why that should bother me. It does, though.

Posted by eLarson 2007-02-06 14:51|| http://larsonian.blogspot.com]">[http://larsonian.blogspot.com] 2007-02-06 14:51|| Front Page Top

#15 Plus, McCain didn't kick Yassir Arafish outta his State, did he? That alone, gets my nod for Rudy!

Posted by BA 2007-02-06 15:37|| 2007-02-06 15:37|| Front Page Top

#16 Rudy was a mayor of a city larger than several states. He has as much or more executive experience than governors of many states, such as Vermont.

John McCain has been a Senator for many years. He knows how to negotiate, conciliate, compromise, and other things Senators do.

Personally, there are three things that are most important to me in any candidate in 2008:
1) WOT
2) WOT
3) WOT

Very little else matters. If we lose the war on terror, everything else - abortion, gun rights, national health care, and so on will fade into oblivion.

Posted by Rambler">Rambler 2007-02-06 15:51|| 2007-02-06 15:51|| Front Page Top

#17 I like Rudy, and I think a conservative like Gingrich should be asked to run for VP. That would cement the party together with a star quality ticket.
And in this corner, Thankles and Osama Obama.

Posted by wxjames 2007-02-06 15:52|| 2007-02-06 15:52|| Front Page Top

#18 If Rudy promises that he'd respect the Second Amendment, nominate judges that are strict constitutionalists, he'll win.

Most conservatives (IMNSHO) accept that gays exist, are in our families, and we love them but don't want them married© - civil unions...eh...no problem. That will only be a problem with a small group in the GOP. ELarson has a great point: I think McCain hasn't been a team player, loves his media facetime more than his party and has had a woody over his "maverick" label for quite some time. His deal he cut with the Donks and RINOS over judges was exactly the crap (besides his 1st-amendment-violating incumbent protection act) that will not allow me to EVER vote for the man....

Posted by Frank G">Frank G 2007-02-06 16:18|| 2007-02-06 16:18|| Front Page Top

#19 Im not sure where you guys get the idea that Rudy doesnt love the limelight. He was doing his best to get back when he was DA.

And if McCain werent on Meet the Press, support for the war in Iraq would be even lower than it is now.

Posted by liberalhawk 2007-02-06 16:24|| 2007-02-06 16:24|| Front Page Top

#20 pretty obviously you're terrified of Rudy

Posted by Frank G">Frank G 2007-02-06 16:27|| 2007-02-06 16:27|| Front Page Top

#21 This is FUD. I like the G man. More importantly, I hate all the other morons running as R's. Guiliani it is (until Jeb decides to run).

Posted by Iblis 2007-02-06 16:32|| 2007-02-06 16:32|| Front Page Top

#22 LOL @ FG.

If its Obama vs Rudy, I will seriously consider voting for Rudy. Or Edwards vs Rudy. Really, I dont see Rudy as stronger than McCain in the general - I will admit freely I like McCain more. If McCain runs against Hilary (whos still my preferred Dem) Id be seriously considering voting for McCain. But no, Im genuinely trying understand something puzzling.

Posted by liberalhawk 2007-02-06 16:38|| 2007-02-06 16:38|| Front Page Top

#23 I think Rudy is an attention hound too, he just hasn't gotten as much as McCain. He also has never sold out conservative judges for the sake of ~~attention~~ bipartisanship. That will give him an advantage over McCain.

The one drawback I see for him is that he has to become more than the 9/11 mayor guy. Its good for him, but if he can't become more than that, he's going to be in trouble.

Posted by Mike N. 2007-02-06 17:27|| 2007-02-06 17:27|| Front Page Top

#24 [RANT ON]
Although youve all heard me sing this song before, allow me to once again repeat myself: I am a Republican specifically because of my opposition to Gun Control, not in spite of it. Like five million other Americans, I am also NRA first, and a Republican second. Rudy Giuliani and his Grima Wormtongue (Michael Bloomberg) are our sworn, vocal enemies. In New York City, they have persecuted and imprisoned Americans like myself. I have no doubt that Giuliani will do the same thing on a national level if given a chance. Oh, I also have no doubt that Clinton or Obama will come after us as well: but I prefer being screwed by members of the other guys party, not my own. Call me old fashioned.

Oh, and please dont BS me with all of this talk about how little control over gun rights the Whitehouse has. The Clinton administration has already shown that to be false.

Giuliani will come for my guns in the name of fighting crime or national security. The Donks will do it for the children. In the end, its all the same to me. This freedom the right to keep and bear arms - is one of my core values. It is why I am in the process of selling all that I own in urban California and moving to very rural Nevada. It is why thousands of others are making similar moves. Nominate a man who has made a career of striking at this core freedom, and the Republican Party will make enemies of us in the process, regardless of how much else we have in common.

Allow me to explain: after all of my years of being a gun owner in California, if Barbara Boxer or state Senator Don Perata became a staunch supporters of the war on terror, I would probably go buy a Koran and start scrapping match heads for gunpowder. I hate their kind that much and Giuliani is one of them 100%. Does that sound insane? Have any of you ever wondered why radio host Michael Savage sounds so insane? Thats what being a conservative in San Francisco does to you after a few decades.

If Rudy gets the nod, expect to loose five million votes to the Loosertarians in 2008 and the Whitehouse to the Democrats.
[RANT OFF (I feel better now)]

Posted by Secret Master 2007-02-06 17:30|| 2007-02-06 17:30|| Front Page Top

#25 Hawk, please tell me you wouldn't pick Billary over Giuliani.

Posted by Mike N. 2007-02-06 17:30|| 2007-02-06 17:30|| Front Page Top

#26 What's his stand on free drugs? If I can't get the good drugs cheap I'm with Secret Master and gonna vote Loosertarian.

Posted by Shipman 2007-02-06 17:37|| 2007-02-06 17:37|| Front Page Top

#27 I like Rudy but I don't think he'll have much chance in the primaries where the party tends to lean away from centrists.

McCain is percieved as having betrayed the Republicans with his group of 12. The support he'd get from staunch Republicans would be of the lesser of two evils variety which is not the kind of thing that fires up the troops.

I'm still hoping for Duncan Hunter. He's a long shot but the best of the names I've seen so far.

Posted by rjschwarz 2007-02-06 17:45|| 2007-02-06 17:45|| Front Page Top

#28 Well, Shipman, I have had a LOT of caffine today...

Posted by Secret Master 2007-02-06 18:01|| 2007-02-06 18:01|| Front Page Top

#29 Great rant, Secret Master, spot on! I agree with you on the Second Amendment thingy. He (Rudy) was going to be on Hannity this afternoon (Radio) and Sean was hyping him up that he's changed his tune somewhat on guns, that the only affect a Prez has on abortion is Judicial nominees, and that, he's actually a lot more conservative (socially) than we think on abortion.

Here was Sean's take on Rudy now:

* Abortion: for free-choice, but with limits. Endorses Parental Notification laws, as well as the Partial Birth Abortion ban. Would limit abortion ban exemptions to the life of the mom only (says not to limit it to health, as then some judges would consider "mental health" a reason to abort).
* Taxes/Crime/Spending: a real Reagan type conservative in these arenas.
* Gun-grabbing: says he won't be a gun grabber, like he was in NYC. While I understand your point about "I'd rather be screwed by the other party than the guy I know," we ALL know too, that a few thousand votes in the right places can make or break Hillary's run for the white house. And, voting Loosertarian is pissing away your vote and helping Madame Hillary in the interim.
* Gay rights: Supports at the most, civil unions, not marriage. I'd assume he'd respect the will of the people when they vote on it at the State level.
* Judges: Says he'd nominate Constructionists and specifically mentioned Alito, Roberts and Scalia as the types of people he'd nominate to the bench.
* WoT: He's spot on!

So, actually to me, he's (in some respects) more conservative than even Bush. Think taxes, spending and "big gov't." On other issues (abortion and maybe "gay rights") he's about the same or less conservative, but again, how much affect does the Prez have on that (especially if there's a Donk-controlled Congress).

My dream ticket? Rudy for Prez with Tancredo for V.P. Rudy's spot on in the WoT, Taxes/Spending, and crime. Tancredo can focus on the illegal immigration "issue" which I still don't get as to why that's NOT part of the WoT to Bush. And, Rudy's the only one I think can beat Hillary (w/ the exception of McCain, possibly, but I'd have to REALLY hold my nose for that media-whore to vote on him).

Posted by BA 2007-02-06 18:49|| 2007-02-06 18:49|| Front Page Top

#30 If Rudy were a donk we would all be calling him. A gun grabber. The difference between him and Hillary on the matter is probably that Hillary is considered more of a totalitarian. He has a lot of work to do on that issue. I don't know how he gets around it. I read the transcript of his interview with Hannity on Fox and his position seemed to be the flip and the flop all at once. Something about what is right for one city is not right for another.

I suppose he could make the case that he was just being responsive to what the people of New York want, but I have to think saying that would hurt him more than help him.

Posted by Mike N. 2007-02-06 19:55|| 2007-02-06 19:55|| Front Page Top

#31 I could take Hillary with a trunk congress easier than Rudy with a donk congress. And I hope we do end up with split government, either way. The performance of the trunks for the last 6 years has been shameful and they deserve to be the minority. Not that the donks have done anything to deserve to be in the majority. As long as they both do nothing, I'm happy.

Posted by Nimble Spemble 2007-02-06 20:11|| 2007-02-06 20:11|| Front Page Top

#32 BA:
Promises from politicians of almost any sort are close to worthless UNLESS that politician has a solid voting record on a particular issue. Unfortunately, Rudy has a solid record: the wrong one. I shall say no more

Posted by Secret Master 2007-02-06 21:17|| 2007-02-06 21:17|| Front Page Top

#33 The Republicans had 6 (SIX) years to get it at least 70% right or TRY to get it right and they outspent the Dems, did not adhere to core values, etc. They are DEMs light. Now they want us to vote again for them. Many of us Rantburgers gave money, some serious money to the Republicans. The only one that has seemed to be true to basic principles is Duncan Hunter of San Diego (good work, Commodore Frank G.). The Republicans got their a$$es kicked because of their lack of values and that the President did not make things happen in the war satisfactorily.

So now we are faced with the same ole Republicans with some half-assed candidate against the LLL Dems and Billary the HildaBeast. This makes me so mad that I could have a stroke.

Both parties are taking this country to the cleaners. Ya know, as crazy as Michael Savage can be, he had a point on his broadcast yesterday. He is mulling running for president, not because he thinks that he could win, but because he wants to get the life-and-death issues facing this country out in the open for debate, and to revitalize the flaccid republican party. His feeling is that if the republicans keep going on the way that they are going, without leadership, without standing by principles, they will lose, and the whole country will lose or be lost.

We are at a crossroads, and I sure hate to bet my country and my life and family on Giuliani's promises. Damn! We're in a tight spot!

Posted by Alaska Paul">Alaska Paul 2007-02-06 21:57|| 2007-02-06 21:57|| Front Page Top

#34 I think its important for a president to inspire the people. I just can't get inspired by McCain. Rudy seems to be better with people.

Posted by Angenter Crolugum3645 2007-02-06 21:59|| 2007-02-06 21:59|| Front Page Top

#35 One strong plus for Giuliani is that he has a record of standing up to tough bureaucracies and fighting until he wins. I think we would all agree that this is much needed in the federal government.

Posted by ryuge 2007-02-06 23:54|| 2007-02-06 23:54|| Front Page Top

23:56 sinse
23:54 ryuge
23:53 sinse
23:52 sinse
23:51 sinse
23:30 JosephMendiola
23:30 Frank G
23:02 SR-71
22:33 Barbara Skolaut
22:31 Chuck Simmins
22:26 trailing wife
22:24 Redneck Jim
22:14 Shipman
22:10 Anguper Hupomosing9418
22:10 Swamp Blondie
21:59 Remoteman
21:59 Angenter Crolugum3645
21:57 Alaska Paul
21:51 Shipman
21:44 Shipman
21:37 Pappy
21:31 Pappy
21:31 OIF 3 21B
21:17 Secret Master