Rudy Giuliani Officially In 2008 Presidential Race

[Manic]

Woohoo! Giuliani! It's moments like this I'm glad I didn't let my family pressure me into becoming a Democrat.

Independent for life, son.

 

[PhotoJones]

What part of as long as its not war mongering do you not understand?

how is it not?

"stay the course" = "more war profiteering for us"

 

[StorminNorman]

it's not really meant to be.

i gave up over a year of my life last year to work in politics, and i've seen some ****.

Great, I have been in politics since I was born.my father has been in politics for decades. He was Communications Chairman for the RNC and has personally consulted Nixon, Ford, and H.W. Bush. He even had to testify in Watergate. He even gave Karl Rove his first major political position (as head of the Republican YR's). He has seen both the good and evil sides of politics, and I have learned from him

If you don't think the same "****" you have seen from the Republicans doesn't go one on the other side, get real.

 

[The Chairman]

*clap, clap, clap*

Thank you. Nice to have some support.

you do know that things are decided on by voting, right? so please explain to me what exactly a minority can do when the system is majority based. because really, when your hands are tied like that, there's not much you can do but *****.

That still doesn't justify them doing nothing but complaining without getting the job done. The entire reason the Dems won the midterm elections because all they did was the bash the Republicans for the last few years. They spent so much time bashing them but they also didn't give a clear way of rectifying the mistakes made by the Conservatives. That's jsut as bad as anything the Republicans have done. If you can't realize that, than this conversation is over.

There is no way he can win the Republican nomination. His best chance would've been to try and beat Bush in the 2004 primary, but by now the 9/11 appeal has worn off and the conservative base will see just how damn liberal he is.

That's quite sad, really. If the Republcians want to win back power in 2008, they need to realize that they can't have a true far right conservative in power (just as the Democrats can't support a completely far left liberal). THey need someone more moderate like Giuliani. That being said, the Conservatives I know do really like Giuliani, though I don't know if that says much.

 

[hippie_hunter]

Hey Matt, you being the political expert that you are, do you think Giuliani hypothetically might have abetter chance at winning if he ran as Democrat, since a lot of his policies are more in line with their own, or will that alienate his Republican supporters? Just curious.

Getting the nomination is going to be the toughest part, but he has a chance in my opinion.

First of all he can appeal to the more liberal and moderate Republicans who have been turned off by the neo-con leadership.

Second, the neo-cons have been sorely weakened by the 2006 elections.

Third, he already has some primaries in the bag. New York will choose him over McCain and Romney. He's going to be a serious contender in Iowa and he has a good chance of nabbing New Hampshire. If Romney drops out after the early primaries that he will not win, Giuliani will nab the rest of New England. I also think that he'll win the West Coast states of California (home of the moderate Schwarzenegger), Oregon, and Washington.

I think this is going to be the first Republican primary that we are going to have to watch state by state and not just simply determine the winner by just Iowa and New Hampshire.

Fourth, Giuliani has a very good reputation, despite his politics.

And last, he is very capable of raising money, just like McCain.

If Giuliani wins the nomination, he's going to win this election no problem.

 

[PhotoJones]

Great, I have been in politics since I was born.my father has been in politics for decades. He was Communications Chairman for the RNC and has personally consulted Nixon, Ford, and H.W. Bush. He even had to testify in Watergate. He even gave Karl Rove his first major political position (as head of the Republican YR's). He has seen both the good and evil sides of politics, and I have learned from him

If you don't think the same "****" you have seen from the Republicans doesn't go one on the other side, get real.

that's a very impressive history. i'm not mocking it.

but i don't think i'd be wrong if i said you might be a little biased.

i worked for an independent organization, and i did see **** from both sides. the difference was the republican **** was horribly unethical and downright scandalous. the liberal stuff was just stupid, and it would leave you with your head shaking.

 

[The Chairman]

Great, I have been in politics since I was born.my father has been in politics for decades. He was Communications Chairman for the RNC and has personally consulted Nixon, Ford, and H.W. Bush. He even had to testify in Watergate. He even gave Karl Rove his first major political position (as head of the Republican YR's). He has seen both the good and evil sides of politics, and I have learned from him

If you don't think the same "****" you have seen from the Republicans doesn't go one on the other side, get real.

"You are correct sir, yes!"

 

[StorminNorman]

There is no way he can win the Republican nomination. His best chance would've been to try and beat Bush in the 2004 primary, but by now the 9/11 appeal has worn off and the conservative base will see just how damn liberal he is.

Rudy is the strongest National Defense guy - which is the key issue for many conservatives. The blindly christian right will vote for McCain, but that doesn't make up a majority of Republican votes.

Moderate Republicans will vote Rudy. National Defense Republicans will vote Rudy.

Conservative Republicans will vote Romney.

Christian Conservative Republicans will vote McCain - though recent polls show he may be fighting a very uphill war.

 

[blind_fury]

Giuliani will never win the republican nomination. He's a pro-choice, gun-control supporting yankee and adulterer.

 

[The Chairman]

Getting the nomination is going to be the toughest part, but he has a chance in my opinion.

First of all he can appeal to the more liberal and moderate Republicans who have been turned off by the neo-con leadership.

Second, the neo-cons have been sorely weakened by the 2006 elections.

Third, he already has some primaries in the bag. New York will choose him over McCain and Romney. He's going to be a serious contender in Iowa and he has a good chance of nabbing New Hampshire. If Romney drops out after the early primaries that he will not win, Giuliani will nab the rest of New England. I also think that he'll win the West Coast states of California (home of the moderate Schwarzenegger), Oregon, and Washington.

I think this is going to be the first Republican primary that we are going to have to watch state by state and not just simply determine the winner by just Iowa and New Hampshire.

Fourth, Giuliani has a very good reputation, despite his politics.

And last, he is very capable of raising money, just like McCain.

If Giuliani wins the nomination, he's going to win this election no problem.

To return the favor:

*clap, clap, clap*

 

[StorminNorman]

that's a very impressive history. i'm not mocking it.

but i don't think i'd be wrong if i said you might be a little biased.

i worked for an independent organization, and i did see **** from both sides. the difference was the republican **** was horribly unethical and downright scandalous. the liberal stuff was just stupid, and it would leave you with your head shaking.

My father is extremely biased. Four years ago I would of been extremely biased. Two years ago I would of been a little biased. Where I am now though I am extremely sick of the Republican party and feel we need a strong third party, or a moderate President. Thus I back Rudy.

Politics draws out the worst in people, when power is on the line - people get desperate. It has nothing to do with parties though. They are both as powerhungry as the next. Describe some of the Republican scandals you saw.

 

[StorminNorman]

Giuliani will never win the republican nomination. He's a pro-choice, gun-control supporting yankee and adulterer.

McCain doesn't have a chance.

Romney is a mormon, and a yankee, and has been flip-flopish on gay rights and abortion.

If Rudy was ever going to get the nomination, it would be this year.

 

[PhotoJones]

That still doesn't justify them doing nothing but complaining without getting the job done. The entire reason the Dems won the midterm elections because all they did was the bash the Republicans for the last few years. They spent so much time bashing them but they also didn't give a clear way of rectifying the mistakes made by the Conservatives. That's jsut as bad as anything the Republicans have done. If you can't realize that, than this conversation is over.

you're really sounding very stupid by not be able to comprehend that there was NOTHING THEY COULD DO. you keep talking about "getting the job done", but you haven't explained as a MINORITY group, they could've gone about doing that. if you can explain that, i think you'd be hailed as a political genius.

now, as for your remarks about them wasting time bashing the republicans, i fully agree. kind of. i think you're 100% correct when you say they could've spent the time figuring out how to fix the mess the conservatives started. this is the smartest thing you've said so far.

but on the other hand, talking about the republican's mistakes is what got them elected. so it's a bittersweet win.

they have a HUGE job ahead of them, and as much as i want to believe in them, it's really hard. that's why i say, save your victory speeches until after they fail. it's not that much longer.

 

[hippie_hunter]

Rudy is the strongest National Defense guy - which is the key issue for many conservatives. The blindly christian right will vote for McCain, but that doesn't make up a majority of Republican votes.

Moderate Republicans will vote Rudy. National Defense Republicans will vote Rudy.

Conservative Republicans will vote Romney.

Christian Conservative Republicans will vote McCain - though recent polls show he may be fighting a very uphill war.

I don't think that the conservatives will be able to vote for Romney. If Romney doesn't win Iowa and New Hampshire (and he most likely won't), he'll end up dropping out along with the other Republican candidates like Brownback, Smith, Hunter, and Cox. This race is going to be between Giuliani and McCain.

You also forgot that the liberal Republicans (like the Log Cabin Republicans) will vote Rudy.

 

[Matt]

Rudy is the strongest National Defense guy - which is the key issue for many conservatives. The blindly christian right will vote for McCain, but that doesn't make up a majority of Republican votes.

Moderate Republicans will vote Rudy. National Defense Republicans will vote Rudy.

It depends. Some national defense will go McCain for the whole war hero thing. Some moderates will vote Romney or McCain based on what is important to them, be it abortion, gay rights, gun rights, or whatever Rudy can't deliever. I don't see him having a solid enough base to get the nomination

 

[mwm1331]

McCain doesn't have a chance.

Romney is a mormon, and a yankee, and has been flip-flopish on gay rights and abortion.

If Rudy was ever going to get the nomination, it would be this year.

You forgot Newt.
Personally I think his stategy of "running by not running" is pretty damn good.
And I wouldn't mind seeing a return to the days of the contract.

 

[Matt]

I don't think that the conservatives will be able to vote for Romney. If Romney doesn't win Iowa and New Hampshire (and he most likely won't), he'll end up dropping out along with the other Republican candidates like Brownback, Smith, Hunter, and Cox. This race is going to be between Giuliani and McCain.

You also forgot that the liberal Republicans (like the Log Cabin Republicans) will vote Rudy.

Romney has two things on his side that are incredibly important in modern politics...looks and charisma. More so than McCain and Giulliani combined. It would be foolish to write him off when he could be the dark horse winner.

 

[blind_fury]

McCain doesn't have a chance.

Romney is a mormon, and a yankee, and has been flip-flopish on gay rights and abortion.

If Rudy was ever going to get the nomination, it would be this year.

a McCain/Chuck Hagel combo would be a strong ticket and probably the only chance the republicans have to win.

 

[WTFimVENOM]

if a republican has to win, it should be Giuliani

 

[Fran]

As you all know, I have been heavily endorsing the wonderful moderate Republican, former New York Mayor, Rudolph William Louis Giuliani III, KBE for President. Now we all knew that he was going to try to get the nomination, but it sure did take him a damn long time for him to do it. Last night on Larry King Live, he finally announced that he is indeed going to do it:



All I have to say is GO RUDY! Win the nomination and bring back sensibility in the Republican leadership!

I'm already going to vote Giuliani. HANDS DOWN.

 

[Matt]

You forgot Newt.
Personally I think his stategy of "running by not running" is pretty damn good.
And I wouldn't mind seeing a return to the days of the contract.

Either discuss this like an adult or go away. Newt isn't even a serious contender. Quit dropping the name in hopes of starting a fight.

 

[PhotoJones]

My father is extremely biased. Four years ago I would of been extremely biased. Two years ago I would of been a little biased. Where I am now though I am extremely sick of the Republican party and feel we need a strong third party, or a moderate President. Thus I back Rudy.

Politics draws out the worst in people, when power is on the line - people get desperate. It has nothing to do with parties though. They are both as powerhungry as the next. Describe some of the Republican scandals you saw.

that's very level headed of you. you sound like a smart man.

i too, would very much in favor of a third party. to be completely honest, i WOULD vote for rudy if he wasn't running as a republican. i'd do it in a heartbeat. i know that sounds like party line bull****, but i don't see it as that.

like i've stated before, i just cannot in good conscience back that party. i can't bring myself to do it.

and i agree with you, about both parties being equally powerhungry. it's true. i think, based on my own experiences, that the democrats (FOR THE MOST PART) have the middle class' best interests at heart. please note that i am NOT saying this because i think that they are decent people who care about america. i say this because it's a smart political strategy

represent and vote in favor of the majority of americans, and they'll keep you in power. that's what the dems try to do, i think.

the conservatives on the other hand have gotten so bold with lies and betrayl it's astounding. they will claim to represent me, then they vote in the best interest of the rich every time.

that's how i see it.

 

[Tyrinus]

"so?"

so, i'm against it. that's "so".

and i won't be voting for rudy. i cannot in good faith bring myself to support a republican. say what you will about the dems...republicans are ****ing evil.

With a view like that I hope you don't vote at all. Political parties are one of the major things wrong with government. Who you vote for shouldn't be based on what party they belong to, but what that person can do to lead the nation to where it needs to go. It's the individual that should sway your vote, and what they can do. Not a political party.

 

[The Chairman]

you're really sounding very stupid by not be able to comprehend that there was NOTHING THEY COULD DO. you keep talking about "getting the job done", but you haven't explained as a MINORITY group, they could've gone about doing that. if you can explain that, i think you'd be hailed as a political genius.

now, as for your remarks about them wasting time bashing the republicans, i fully agree. kind of. i think you're 100% correct when you say they could've spent the time figuring out how to fix the mess the conservatives started. this is the smartest thing you've said so far.

but on the other hand, talking about the republican's mistakes is what got them elected. so it's a bittersweet win.

they have a HUGE job ahead of them, and as much as i want to believe in them, it's really hard. that's why i say, save your victory speeches until after they fail. it's not that much longer.

Well, I will concede that technically, yes, they were powerless. But that doesn't justify them doing nothing. Just because they were in the minority, doesn't mean they couldn't present their ideas to Congress or to the American public, who I'm sure would've supported them. Will they have had a chance of going through? No, of course not. But I guess it doesn't matter, since they had no ideas to present.

Secondly, about them winning on the basis of pointing out the Republicans' messes just shows how incompetent they are. The fact that they won by pointing out their oponents' flaws rather than their own ideas and accomplishments says a lot about their ability to run things.

And persoanlly, I have little fiath in them myself. Neither parties are that reliable. The Republicans have compromised their integrity and popularity in more ways than one, and the Democrats have done the same. Add to that that they are led by someone as annoying and incompetent as Nancy Pelosi, and I am officially of a negatvie mindframe in my opinions of both parties.

 

[Matt]

You know,a Giulliani presidency with a Democratic Congress could be amazing. Rudy could balance the democrats when they get too liberal, the congress could balance Rudy if he gets too conservative...it could really push through 8 progressive, moderate years.