The American Spectator : The Spectacle Blog : Club For Growth Lauds Giuliani

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The Spectacle Blog

Club For Growth Lauds Giuliani

By Philip Klein on 5.14.07 @ 10:16AM

The Club for Growth is out with its report on Rudy Giuliani's fiscal record, and he is given high marks. On his record, Pat Toomey writes:

Despite powerful local obstacles, Giuliani was able to significantly cut taxes; hold spending increases down below the rates of inflation and population growth; overhaul the welfare system; deregulate and privatize many local government services; and join the fight for school choice. These accomplishments played a crucial role in transforming New York City from an economic basket case into a thriving economy.

The most important question is what Giuliani's mayoral tenure tells us about how he would govern if elected president. The answer is not clear cut, as some of his local positions are worrisome and some of his federal positions are still unknown. Nonetheless, one cannot help but conclude that if Giuliani could accomplish the pro-growth record he did in the hostile environment of New York City, the potential for him to accomplish even more amid the more politically balanced federal government is great.

This is very good news for Rudy. If he has any hope of winning the nomination given his liberal social views, he has to be able to convince Republicans that he's not only rock solid on national security, but that he's the real deal on economic issues. The fact that the Club for Growth, which has no qualms about criticizing Republicans when they deviate from small government principles, extensively researched his record and came away with the conclusion that "Giuliani's economic accomplishments are remarkable," goes a long way in helping him make that sale. In the past six years, conservatives have endured a president who they agree with on national security and social issues, but who has been absymal on spending and has turned the GOP into the party of big government. Will conservatives be willing to replace him with a pro-choice candidate who will restore fiscal discipline to Washington?

topics:
Taxes, Environment