Rudy Giuliani's Vulnerabilities

[-Cp]

FEBRUARY 12--As he campaigns for the Republican presidential nomination, Rudolph Giuliani will have to contend with political and personal baggage unknown to prospective supporters whose knowledge of the former New York mayor is limited to his post-September 11 exploits. So, in a bid to educate the electorate, we're offering excerpts from a remarkable "vulnerability study" that was commissioned by Giuliani's campaign prior to his successful 1993 City Hall run. The confidential 450-page report, authored by Giuliani's research director and another aide, was the campaign's attempt to identify possible lines of attack against Giuliani and prepare the candidate and his staff to counter "the kinds of no-holes-barred assault" expected in a general election rematch with Democratic incumbent David Dinkins. As he tried to win election in an overwhelmingly Democratic city, Giuliani needed "inoculating against" the "Reagan Republican moniker," the vulnerability study reported. "The Giuliani campaign should emphasize its candidate's independence from traditional national Republican policies." The final six words of that sentence are underlined in the study. Additionally, the Giuliani report noted that the candidate needed to make it clear to voters that he was "pretty good on most issues of concern to gay and lesbian New Yorkers" and was pro-choice and supported public funding for abortion. "He will continue city funding for abortions at city hospitals. Nothing more, nothing less." Giuliani's stance on these issues, of course, may leave him vulnerable today with an entirely different electorate. The campaign study was obtained by The Village Voice's Wayne Barrett in the course of preparing "Rudy!," an investigative biography of Giuliani. In its preface, the study notes that it is "tough and hard-hitting. It pulls no punches." Perhaps that is why Giuliani, as Barrett reported, ordered copies of the vulnerability study destroyed shortly after it was circulated to top campaign aides. He surely could not have been pleased to read that his "personal life raises questions about a 'weirdness factor.'" That weirdness, aides reported, stemmed from Giuliani's 14-year marriage to his second cousin, a union that he got annulled by claiming to have never received proper dispensation from the Catholic Church for the unorthodox nuptials. "When asked about his personal life, Giuliani gives a wide array of conflicting answers," the campaign report stated. "All of this brings the soundness of his judgement into question--and the veracity of his answers." The internal study also addresses prospective charges that Giuliani dodged the Vietnam draft and was a "man without convictions" because of his transformation from George McGovern voter to a Reagan-era Justice Department appointee. "In many ways Rudy Giuliani is a political contradiction...He doesn't really fit with the Republicans. Too liberal. Giuliani has troubles with the Democrats, too." On the following pages, you'll find the vulnerability report's cover and preface and sections on Reagan Republicanism, women and abortion, Giuliani's first marriage and divorce, draft dodging, gay issues, racial polarization, and his party registration "flip-flop." (27 pages)

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2007/0212072giuliani1.html

[GW in Ohio]

Show me a Republican who isn't a neoconservative and isn't in thrall to the religious right and I'll give that Republican serious consideration. Rudy Giuliani is one of those Republicans.

It would be fascinating if Rudy was marched up against Hillary for the White House. They almost met in a Duel of the Titans in 2000 for the NY Senate seat, but Rudy had to bow out of the race because he was dealing with prostate cancer at the time.

[Roopull]

He hasn't a chance in the Rep primaries. He's pro-choice & pro-gun control & that's just a start. The media loves him because of 911 & because he's as much a Rep as McCain is... a RINO. He's viewed as a right winger in the NorthEast where Stalin is considered conservative. The rest of the nation's Reps won't be so enamored.

[darin]

Show me a Republican who isn't a neoconservative and isn't in thrall to the religious right and I'll give that Republican serious consideration.

George Bush isn't either of those two things - do you support him, currently? :)

I sorta like Condi Rice - wish she'd run.

I also like Rudy - except he's probably too Liberal for my tastes.

[5stringJeff]

Rudi's gun control measures - which he called "sensible" - are enough for me to withhold my vote from him.

[Grumplestillskin]

George Bush isn't either of those two things - do you support him, currently? :) .

RATFLMAO! You still have a great sense of humour Darin..

[GW in Ohio]

"I sorta like Condi Rice - wish she'd run." --dmp

1. Condi has never run for elective office.

2. She's way too right-wing.

3. She's closely associated with the Bush administration, which is the kiss of death in '08. Bush and his coterie are completely discredited with the American electorate. Bush has already been responsible for the Repubs losing both houses of Congress in '06. As his popularity continues to sink, he will drag the GOP down even further with him.

[jillian]

"I sorta like Condi Rice - wish she'd run." --dmp

1. Condi has never run for elective office.

2. She's way too right-wing.

3. She's closely associated with the Bush administration, which is the kiss of death in '08. Bush and his coterie are completely discredited with the American electorate. Bush has already been responsible for the Repubs losing both houses of Congress in '06. As his popularity continues to sink, he will drag the GOP down even further with him.

Condi has also proved to be a failure at diplomacy, which is the centerpiece of her responsibility as Secretary of State. So I'm not sure what anyone thinks would commend her to the presidency.

Funny thing is that Jeb would have made a much better president than his brother(even mama bush said so and daddy bush thought it was a gimme). Unfortunately, the Bush name is tainted for now. Maybe by the time Jenna and Barbara grow up?

(although Jeb should be running FEMA based on everything I've heard from the folk I know in Florida).

[avatar4321]

Guiliani might be a good running mate. but i dont think he has the nomination.

Thing is, as bad as the Republicans running seem to be, the Democrats appear only worse.

[GW in Ohio]

Well......

McCain is too old for the rigors of the presidency. His ship sailed in 2000, when the Bush team committed assault and battery on him in South Carolina.

Who else is there? Mitt Romney?

Americans would never elect a Mormon.

The field is pretty wide open for some unnamed Republican. I'm sure Gingrich will make a run.

[Gaffer]

Tancredo and Gingrich I like em both.