The American Spectator

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Forgive and Don't Forget

11.16.06 @ 12:01AM

RUDY REACTIONS
Re: Philip Klein's Rudy the Running Man:

I don't understand how TAS can trash the hell out of Boehner for being a liberal and then pen such a forgiving piece on Giuliani.
-- Jon Fleischman, President
The Fleischman Consulting Group
Irvine, California
www.flashreport.org

Now that my favorite conservative, George Allen, has taken the 10 count, I could go for Rudy, especially under your scenario. I like Rudy, even if he's been too "New Yorker" on social issues for many of us, he's a true leader. I'd bet on his pliability as President. McCain's triangulated a few hundred times too many, and Romney is out of his depth. Besides, if Rudy can beat Billary, I'm in. He/she has their own baggage, and the loopy Democrat Congress to worry about, which hopefully, after two years of the Demokooks' overreaching, the moderates will discover that they've been had, return to make Rudy's bid successful, and Happy Days are here again! After all, what's our choice? Rudy works for me.
-- Mike Showalter
Austin, Texas

The tide is turning against those who rode the tough-guy political wave following 9/11. If there isn't a major terrorist attack on U.S. soil before November, 2008, candidates like Rudy Giuliani can kiss their political aspirations goodbye. American voters have short memories, and by then they will be worrying more about their economic well-being than about a few people who got killed seven years earlier. Giuliani was effective as the mayor of New York and got more than his share of national press coverage during the World Trade Center disaster, but that doesn't mean he's a compelling candidate to someone living in Iowa. Militarism is out and populism is in. Is conservative populism an oxymoron?
-- Abe Grossman
Pleasantville, New York

What about Duncan Hunter? Why isn't he being considered? He is the House Armed Services Committee chairman, what better experience? He is a true conservative and a veteran. Everyone is saying the conservatives sat this election out giving the win to the Liberals, yet the choices being promoted are stealth liberals! So the party wants to give another election away? I sure won't vote for McCain or Giuliani so let the cards fall where they may!
-- Michael J. Johnson

There's another problem with Rudy getting the GOP nomination on '08.

It's the danger that he could provoke a third party walkout by social conservatives, and this might prevent Republicans from voting for Rudy even in the primaries. But who know? Nothing is certain now and the electorate is fluid.
-- Peter Skurkiss
Stow, Ohio.

Mr. Klein can paper over Rudy's divergence from the conservative base and diligently and pathetically attempt to paint him as a moderate all he wants, but the truth is he is a Northeastern Liberal who wears an "R" on his sleeve. Sordid past and marriage scandals, pro-abortion (including partial birth), illegal immigration, gay "rights" among many other issues and one Philip skipped over entirely, gun control (or in Rudy's case more like "let the confiscations begin") make him an anathema to the right wing. Again talk him up all you want and try to make him palatable, if by some fluke he gets the nomination the result will be a repeat of the 2006 mid terms no matter how his handlers try to project him as the "anti-Hillary." You heard it here first, A Rudy presidential term is delusion.
-- Craig C. Sarver
Behind Enemy Lines
Seattle, Washington

I am in complete agreement with Mr. Klein about the prospect of a Giuliani nomination in 08. Last week, I posited on the AmSpec Blog, a similar formula for Rudy's success with the base as to his "liberal issues." Promise to appoint original intent judges, a la Scalia, Thomas, Alito & Roberts and subject these hot button issues to a direct vote by the people, rather than to the will of an elite judicial oligarchy. This is consistent with Giuliani's philosophy. I believe the base will respond to this intellectually honest respect for the "Will of the People," with open arms, and, will give Giuliani a pass as to his personal views. How refreshing will that be? Rudy's "Will of the People" v. McCain's "Will of the Senate." Of course, McCain will be singing a different tune by then and the "Gang of 14" will go unmentioned by Russert & Matthews.

One final point about Rudy, the Republicans' and our need for a strong articulate leader going forward. A major factor in last week's loss was the lack of a strong leadership voice. President Bush, for all his efforts, was drowned out by a hateful media and frankly because at times he was unable to articulate clearly. Giuliani will not suffer the same fate. His personality will, like Reagan's, overwhelm the simpletons in the MSM. This guy is fast on his feet and razor sharp in wit. And should Rudy find himself up against Madame Hillary, well, that will be fun too. Rudy's campaign mantra in NY against the faux Yankee fan, Hillary, will be, to quote former Yankee player, Mariano Duncan, "We play today...we win today".
-- A. DiPentima

Forget it. I won't vote for him and I will do my best to defeat him. His position on gun control and others just don't cut it. I hope he loses in the primaries.
-- Chris Petty

POUND THE GROUND
Re: Lisa Fabrizio's School's In:

The one thing conservatives need to learn from November 7 is to leave it to the drive-by media and left to beat up on Republicans. They don't need our help to damage them in an election year.

For more than a year many conservatives have been in a meltdown trying to prove their "independence" by beating up on a conservative President and (Republican) Congress. The results of this constant carping are Majority Leader Harry Reid and Speaker Nancy Pelosi. We gained absolutely nothing by all the complaining -- unless you're one of those conservatives who prefers losing and being out of power so you can gripe more.

As a lifelong conservative and GOP "ground pounder" I'm getting tired of self-anointed spokesman telling me I'm not a conservative if I don't to agree with them on every issue (immigration and DPW). The open borders Ronald Reagan, based on these people's definition, was definitely not a conservative. Newt Gingrich who supported the drug prescription program for seniors is not a conservative. Barry Goldwater who was more libertarian on social issues wasn't a conservative. Mike Pence who has a compromise border control and guest worker plan isn't a conservative.

Letter to the Editor

topics:
Education, Trade, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, Abortion, Military, Iraq, Iran, Israel, Pakistan, North Korea, Immigration, Nuclear Weapons, Oil