From the AP:
“Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani remained noncommittal Friday on a possible bid for the GOP presidential nomination but sounded campaign-like themes in a speech to Delaware Republicans.
“I think the biggest question you have to ask is, ‘Can you really lead the country?’” he said. “If I believe that I can do it, then I will, and if I don’t, then I’ll support somebody else.”
Giuliani said the key trait a leader needs is optimism.
“People follow hopes and they follow dreams and they follow the solution to problems,” he said in accepting the Pete du Pont Individual Freedom Award, named for Delaware’s former Republican governor. “I saw that happen in New York City … I think we have to have a sense of optimism about ourselves, about who we are and where we’re going.”
Calling the war in Iraq a serious challenge, Giuliani said what the Bush administration is trying to achieve is of “profound importance” to the United States.
“If we leave Iraq in failure, then the world is going to be much more dangerous for us,” he said.
On other issues, Giuliani said that moving the country toward energy independence will be one of the greatest challenges for the next president. He also called for school vouchers and said the country needs to “revolutionize” its public education system in order to compete in the global economy.
In a brief meeting with reporters after his speech, Giuliani shrugged off suggestions that his liberal social views, divorces and business dealings since leaving the mayor’s office may prove to be obstacles in a campaign for the 2008 GOP presidential nomination.
“You don’t get to decide what the issues are when you’re running,” he said.”
Note that the MSM chooses to cherry-pick a single line out of his speech and frame the whole article around it with the headline: “Giuliani, in Delaware Speech, Hedges.”? It seems to me that the headline could’ve just as easily been, “Rudy talks tough on Iraq,” or, “Giuliani: social views aren’t insurmountable.”? Why, then, does the MSM continue to focus on the notion that Rudy won’t run?? Could it be that the MSM, comprised largely of the coastal elite, observed Giuliani’s governance of NYC and realize that he’s a conservative who could unite the country, not unlike Ronald Reagan?? Whatever the case, the media has long been terrified of a Rudy run, downplaying his chances from every angle, every chance it gets.? Movement conservatives still hesitant on Rudy should take note of who his enemies are.
January 13th, 2007 at 12:39 pm
As near as I can gather, each of the Big 3 worry the Dems. Giuliani, Romney, McCain, would all be tough to beat.
January 13th, 2007 at 1:06 pm
“Why, then, does the MSM continue to focus on the notion that Rudy won’t run?”
Offhand, I would say that they sense a reluctance in him to commit, a lack of passion. It so happens I share that same feeling.
I have repeatedly said that my favorite candidates are Giuliani and Romney. I prefer Romney, but I could very easily support Giuliani if he got the nomination. That hasn’t kept me from observing that he seems to be hesitant and unsure in his possible run. He just seems to be doing the minimun necessary to be a candidate.
Is there anyone, anywhere that doubts whether or not McCain or Romney are running? Nobody that I know of. People have known for over a year that these two would be in it.
You cannot say the same about Giuliani. This is not about stances, issues, or policies. It isn’t about his record, his background, or his vision for America. It is about what he is actually doing to make it happen.
I want to say to him, “Get in or get out. Be a leader and commit already, one way or the other!”
January 13th, 2007 at 1:52 pm
I think you’re largely correct. The MSM hates any GOP candidate they think has a chance to win. They’ll take whatever chatter they pick up from the political classes and amplify it.
Thus, they have criticisms of Mitt that he’s a flip-flopper from other conservatives, and they amplify it. They have criticisms of Rudy that he’s “damaged goods” or “won’t be able to win” the GOP nomination, so they amplify it. They’ll start doing the same thing to Brownback or Huckabee if they start looking viable. McCain seems the only one immune from MSM slander.
In a way, this is the beauty of a tough slog in the primary process. Whoever takes the GOP nomination will already have weathered the MSM opposition, and will have a good chance to do it again in the general.
January 13th, 2007 at 2:03 pm
I agree with marK with this.
“I think the biggest question you have to ask is, ‘Can you really lead the country?’†he said. “If I believe that I can do it, then I will, and if I don’t, then I’ll support somebody else.â€
I could never imagine McCain or Romney saying that. If Rudy is still trying to decide whether he can “lead this country” less than a year out of the Iowa caucuses, maybe he’s more hesitant than even I suspected. Given Rudy’s position in the polls, that’s quite strange. What has he been doing for the past year while McCain and Romney have been traversing the country and ginning up support? I want to support someone who knows within themselves that they can lead this country and keep it great, not someone who has to seemingly convince themselves of that fact.
That’s the thing Dave, maybe the MSM does have a bias against Rudy (I haven’t really discerned one though), but you have to agree that Rudy’s comments above were hedging. Since there is such a broadly developed conventional wisdom about his chances (or lack there of) in the primaries, plus his refusal to really commit to a run is the reason that Rudy’s chances are being downplayed.
January 13th, 2007 at 2:51 pm
LJ,
I agree that you’d never hear Mitt or McCain say that. But as a New Yorker, having watched Giuliani as mayor for a long time, I’ll tell you this: I think that comment is bogus. He’s never lacked for confidence. He’s waiting to jump into the race, but the reason he stated reason is not the real reason. At least I hope not, for Rudy’s sake.
If at this point in his life, Rudy’s unsure if he’s up for the job, that’s a pretty damning statement. I don’t think Rudy thinks that, and I don’t either. Rudy’s up for the job and I’d pull the lever for him in a general election, even though I’m supporting Mitt in the primary.
January 13th, 2007 at 2:57 pm
For once I am in full and complete agreement with you, LJ. What a statement to make! This isn’t a quote from a debate thirteen years ago or sour grapes from a 2000 campaign. This is here, now, today.
Dave, my dictionary defines ‘hedge’ this way:
To avoid definite statement or involvement; refuse to commit oneself. (Funk & Wagnalls Standard Dictionary of the English Language // International Edition // Volume One // J.G. Ferguson Publishing Company, Chicago // LOCCCN:69-11209)
If that statement isn’t hedging, then what is?
January 13th, 2007 at 3:00 pm
Fredo,
I hope you are right, and the true quote will come out. But unfortunately it fits in very well with the way he has been running (or not running) his campaign so far.
January 13th, 2007 at 3:00 pm
Stupid open tag
Is this anybetter?
January 13th, 2007 at 3:02 pm
How about this? If not, some host will have to fix it.
Sorry about that.
January 13th, 2007 at 3:15 pm
“Dave, my dictionary defines ‘hedge’ this way:
To avoid definite statement or involvement; refuse to commit oneself.”
Fair enough. But I wasn’t disputing the claim that what Rudy said technically constitutes “hedging.” I was simply pointing out that, out of all of the topics the article touches on, including Rudy’s views on Iraq and other assorted issues, the headline focuses on a topic that really has little to do with the meat of the article. And I can’t help but see this as part of a trend regarding Rudy, where nearly every MSM piece on him tends to explain to us why he won’t be the next president, for one reason or another.
As far as Rudy’s plans go, considering that I don’t know Rudy and have never spoken with the man, it’s impossible for me to say whether he’s simply taking it slow or whether he’s having doubts.
January 13th, 2007 at 3:29 pm
Dave,
And I can’t help but see this as part of a trend regarding Rudy, where nearly every MSM piece on him tends to explain to us why he won’t be the next president, for one reason or another.
Do you think that would change if Rudy really decided to put jump in instead of just dipping a few toes in to see how cold the water is?
Of course, the liberal MSM would try to take Rudy down. They try to do that in almost every article on Romney too, but at least they treat Romney as a serious contender for the Presidency.
January 13th, 2007 at 4:28 pm
LJ, Romney’s a contender for the Republicans because even though he may have said different in the past, he now claims to be socially conservative which alot of the caucus-goers in Iowa are. There is way more of a possibility of them electing him than a socially liberal Rudy. (yes, the social issues still due matter with some Republican voters.)
January 13th, 2007 at 4:51 pm
Ted,
LJ, Romney’s a contender for the Republicans because even though he may have said different in the past, he now claims to be socially conservative which alot of the caucus-goers in Iowa are.
I agree. If Romney wasn’t positioning himself as the most electable social conservative, he would have no chance at all of getting the nomination. The big question for him and his supporters is whether his past comments will be enough to derail his candidacy. I think that posses a much greater risk to him than his Mormonism does.
January 13th, 2007 at 8:10 pm
How good was Giuliani on Hannity and Colmes~ that guy is so presidential.
January 13th, 2007 at 8:17 pm
“If I believe that I can do it, then I will, and if I don’t, then I’ll support somebody else”–
As for that quote, I think that is one of the most courageous things a presidential
candidates could say. 2008 is going to be about competence, and the fact that Giuliani is willing to give some actual thought to the appropriateness of a prospective run adds a “human” affect to his candidacy and a potential presidency.
January 13th, 2007 at 9:22 pm
Forgive me if I am wrong, but has Huckabee been on with Hannity during the last week?
January 13th, 2007 at 10:09 pm
The Wilderness was the first great battle in the Civil War between Grant and Lee. For the first time, Grant led the Army of the Potomac inside Northern Virginia. In response, Lee throw everything he had at Grant. The battle rolled on for two days. When the dust had cleared, Lee had won.
The Federals were used to it. General after General in the past three years had led them into battle. Lee had defeated them all. The army would limp back to Washington, regroup, refit, and then try again with a new General. The men were sick of it. They felt all their efforts, all their struggles, all their sacrifices were wasted. It was all in vain.
The story is told how as the men retired from the battlefield and approached the crossroads, they all knew what was coming. Left was to Washington and regrouping. Right was further into Virginia and more fighting. Everyone knew they were turning left.
Right, they turned right.
Suddenly there arose from that defeated army a mighty shout. Cheer after cheer went up. They couldn’t help it. Finally they had a General who wasn’t afraid to lead, who wasn’t afraid to fight, who respected them, their efforts, and their sacrifices.
It wasn’t over yet, not by a long shot. Before them lay Spotsylvania and Cold Harbor (two of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War) and eleven more months of hard fighting. But beyond that lay Appomattox Courthouse, the end of the war, and the reuniting of the nation.
Which direction does Giuliani turn at that crossroads?
January 14th, 2007 at 11:57 pm
Rudy would be a great president, and if he runs, I believe he will win in a landslide. He has the perfect tone, effect and stance on the issues that matter the most. And on the issues that he is a lib, he agrees to leave to the states and appoint conservative judges that would do so.
I really think America desperately needs this man.
January 15th, 2007 at 3:07 pm
Gamecock,
I think Rudy could make a great President, too; but I am fast losing interest in him. We do NOT need another indecisive President.
Let me put it this way. Of all the GOP candidates, the one I like least is McCain. He scares me, to be perfectly honest.
Rudy has until Summer (let’s say June) to jump into this thing with both feet. If he hasn’t decided by then to run — and I mean really run — then McCain would get my vote over Giuliani.
(LJ, don’t have a heart attack.)