Giuliani Speaks, The Country Listens

I can't believe the nerve of Guiliani, to compare GWB with Winston Churchill. In the first place, Churchill, as a young man, used his social connections to get into combat, was captured, escaped and became a war hero.

The former said " we're gonna git 'em' while the latter said "we shall fight them on the beaches"

Rudy forgot that Churchill lost the election after WWII because the English people were disgusted with his policies. I pray history repeats itself.

I can't believe the nerve of Guiliani, to compare GWB with Winston Churchill. In the first place, Churchill, as a young man, used his social connections to get into combat, was captured, escaped and became a war hero.

The former said " we're gonna git 'em' while the latter said "we shall fight them on the beaches"

Rudy forgot that Churchill lost the election after WWII because the English people were disgusted with his policies. I pray history repeats itself.

Rudy, Rudy, Rudy,

It makes me sad to see you sellout like this for the sake of bringing in the mid-american Republicans who (rightly?) think that anyone associated with New York has to be a social liberal at heart, or at least not-quite-so-libertarian-when-it-comes-to-social-issues.

McCain sold out big time, too. Maybe it's worse for McCain, who more obviously has a conscience and who hasn't had the sun shining on him in quite the same way Rudy's had it since 9/11 (wait, didn't he have an affair or something that we all conveniently forgot about? Wait, wasn't McCain a legitimate war hero who got dragged through the mud by Bush?).

The RNC makes me sad.

Noah

www.verticalmattress.com

In the picture, Guiliani looks like a someone having a temper tantrum. I do not see any sincerity in him. I think the term "9/11 profiteer" describes him well.

That's what I like about Gothamist... people usually respect each other's take on life in NY. As for Guiliani's foibles, I didn't mind all the crap they were digging up on Clinton because I didn't have to worry about finding a job. In the same vein, I could overlook Guiliani's missteps because I didn't find myself worrying about my father getting mugged in our own driveway anymore.

Fair enough, that's your Opinion and I respect it. Besides, I think I got my opinion accross Up near the Top.

;)

Overall national crime did decrease but I also remember NYC's decrease was much greater than the rest of the country's. After Guiliani New York was the safest big city in the country. It definitely wasn't that way before him.

I like Giuliani, and I liked his speech last night. I'd definitely vote for him to be president.

Giuliani made Queens Safer? Did he make the entire country safer since Crime Rates dropped Nationally while he was in Office?

King Hippo, I think Giuliani, like a good politician, will do what ever it takes to get elected, Including appeal to the Worst of us.

Remember the 1992 Police Rally @ City Hall over the CCRB? I do and It was pretty scary. Right now, he (And GW) are using the 9/11 tragedy as a Cheap Springboard for their Polictical Careers.

IMO, Giuliani and Schwarzenegger are cut from the same cloth: Say "I have the Answers! I'm Tough on Crime!" and let people beleive the Sound Bites.

I.E. Schwarzenegger's "Plan" to get California "Out" of debt is to basically go more into Debt by floating a Large Bond.

Remember when Giuliani supported the Nine Commandments in Public Schools? Whoops! Sorry, I Forgot about the Adultry One... (or did He?)

;)

Rudy is a tough call. I did feel safer in NYC while he was in office, so at whatever price he did lower crime (now that it's rising again, this stands out). He was terrible to the homeless. He was brutal and hotheaded in much of his politics and ignored first amendment rights most of the time. That said, he did handle 9/11 like a true leader - but did he rise to the occassion or did it sink to him?

I was proud of him on 9/11 - of his behavior and candor - but when I heard people yelling 'Rudy for President!" I was like, "Hold on a minute. Settle down. This IS Rudy.".

His speech at the RNC is every reason I disliked him. He is obviously going for a cabinet seat and not caring who or what he sells out to get it. Bush has done nothing about 9/11 and his 'war on terrorism' has only put us further in danger and made us more enemies. Almost getting killed on 9/11 was Rudy's shining moment - and I guess he wants more, because if Bush stays in the White House this country will see many more attacks. Only it won't just be Al Queda. Only Bush could take the sympathy every country had for us after 9/11 and turn it into pure hatred. Good job!

Fooliani-

I've lived in Queens all my life, and life during Giuliani's terms was much better and safer than it was during Dinkins.

As for Guiliani speaking at the event even though he disagrees with the top level democrats on some issues: IMO, I would think people would want to see more moderate politicians rising through the ranks. If guys like Guiliani, Bloomberg and Schwarzenegger need to schlep a little to gain more traction within the party, so be it. I would think it would be easier to change directions from the inside rather than alienate themselves and be just another one of the "outside voices" that they dismiss so easily.

Rion, My Humblest and sincere Apologies!

For a Moment I feared you were like that <shudder> Ann Coulter Woman who thinks disagreeing with the President is Treason!

(What's Wrong with her Anyways?!?!)

Guiliani helped led us through 9/11. Since then, he has become just another 9/11 profiteer. Get rid of him.

-- "ignoring the fact that it was a traitorous speech"?

-- Uh, no. That's called 1st Ammendment rights...

hellooooooo... giuliani quips about being a republican in nyc and now feeling at home at the rnc. i gripe about a brooklyn-born guy making that joke.

c'mon. it's a local gripe not a legal accusation. please keep the context. let me assure you that no need to bring out the big first-amendment-guns on that one.

Ms. Chung, why oh why do you like Giuliani? The "order" he brought to the city was accomplished by sweeping the problems under a rug. I guess you don't hang out in the other boroughs very much, do you. And "order" through police brutality is not worth it.

I watched part of it, but switched the channel when Rudy said his emotional gut reaction on 9/11 was "Thank God George W. Bush is president." Ugh, heartburn.

"you are correct and eloquent as always"?

You Flater me! God, I wish this was the case.

Fact is: I've been someone who argued Politics like it's a religion. I've since learned better.

Besides, it's fun debating points reasonably with people who CAN be reasonable. I know someone who Used to advocate a total revocation of Any Gun control. After publically asking Really loaded questions like, "Your against laws banning the Sale of Firearms to Convicted Rapists?!?!" (He Nearly choked on his Beer!) he came down from his position somewhat.

;)

Look: IMO, the world works a alot better when we look at it with some level of Humor.

S.D. I re-read your comments, and I was hastey in hitting the post button - you are correct and eloquent as always.

So...you know that the gay couple that Rudy stayed with if for gay marriage? I am gay, and I am against gay marriage...and I am also against stereotyping which have have just done.

Hey NY'er, How's it shaking?

I'm shocked, shocked, I say: you compleatly ignored my 1st Ammendment coment...

<sigh> I just despair sometimes...

Well, As I said IMO: There is something Comical about Republicans supporting a man that seems to be against or act contray to the recent Core issues of the GOP. Let's see, the "Gay Marraige ammendment (Please see my comments here), Gun Control, Marriage, etc.

I don't think the GOP or the Democract shoulds be a bunch of Knee jerkers. In fact I wish John McCain was President. I could vote for him, GW and other People apparently in control of the GOP are a little too much for me to get behind.

Back to Rudy: You want to support him, Hey, More Power to you. I think I've stated some of my Issues with the man rather clearly.

BTW: I Massacred my lawn in the name of the Protestors!

;)

what's also disturbing is that during his breakup of his marriage, he stayed with good friends who were a gay couple. how could he have stayed in their home, accept their hospitality and care and then shit on them by speaking at this event? as a gay person i am dismayed. if you read the platform closely the party has taken an even more extreme position vis a vis gay marriage, stating that the legal incidents of marriage (ie dom partnership, contracts, wills etc) may be stopped.

Rudi was way over the top...and how well he reminded us of his nasty side & sharp tongue. I was very disappointed when he brought up the "you're either with us or with the terrorists" thing. I was so hoping that we'd never hear that again. Sheesh!

I found myself slapping my own forehead in disbelief so many times during last night's speeches that I gave myself a headache.

Yeah, as Smith points out - the number of civilians injured by police officers declined dramatically under Giuliani.

The "police brutality" talking point was just horse-poop.

S.D. By your comments are you implying that all Republicans (or Democrats for that reason) must stand for the same thing, and have the same opinions? Puleeez, following a party-prescibed viewpoints just shows a lack of individual thought. I applaud Rudy for his individuality -- remember when he ran for mayor he was endorsed by both the Republican party and the Liberal Party.

"ignoring the fact that it was a traitorous speech"?

Uh, no. That's called 1st Ammendment rights...

After 14 years, He sudenly discovers that this is his 2nd Cousin? Interesting. You would think he would discover that growing up...

Would people really want a Politician that took 14 years to discover, "Hey! we have some Great Grandparents in Common!" Doh!

;)

Ms. Peruggi was my college dean!

A little clarification -- his first marriage was annulled because he married his cousin, Regina Peruggi, ex-Central Park Conservancy President.

Rudy was on Meet the Press the other day. He was questioned about how his beliefs on gay marriage, reproductive choice, and gun control differ from the official Republican Party Platform (He supports all three, the platform is against them). He responded by saying that, even though his opinions on some of these other issues might be different, he believes in the "core philosophy" of the Republican Party, namely fighting the war on terror and getting rid of Saddam Hussein. Scary how this issue is just trumping all domestic ones.

ignoring the fact that it was a traitorous speech -- that a boy from brooklyn actually went up there and said that "he could finally feel at home" because all of these ridiculous strangers descend upon our city and try to wrap themselves in a tragedy most of them can't understand firsthand -- i actually thought it was a well-orchestrated, gop-serving speech until the construction worker story... when he started sort of... rambling...

FYI:

Giuliani-era policing had some big troubles, but people should remember that while Diallo and Louima were enormous, confidence shaking events, there were far more police shootings and killings under Dinkins than under Giuliani. Not only that, but the NYPD have a lower rate of firearm use than just about any other large american city.

One of Giuliani's huge accomplishments was making police more accountable for their methods (this at the cost of making cops feel as if they were constantly being evaluated, which they were).

That defense being thrown out there, I don't relish the thought of a Giuliani presidency.

9/11 saved Rudy's political career, as it has saved Bush's career. Remember Rudy's meanness--and how he announced his divorce at a news conference without telling his advice? He was one polarizing figure--just like Bush. He made the City safer--lowered crime was also a national trend. But Bloomberg also has made the city safer.

Since 9/11--Guiliana has literally made millions and millions off 9/11 and revived his political future. I am not saying he was not a good inspiration during 9/11. Nonetheless, I see him now as a "9/11 businessman" no different from all those hawkers of 9/11 memorabilia. Worse than those hawkers, because his interests are not necessarily the interests of this country.

Quite frankly, he seems to be totally insincere. A faker only interested in himself.

"Police brutality notwithstanding?"

I'm not sure the families of those murdered by police, then denied justice during Giuliani's administration would see his unqualified defense of the NYPD and his contempt for the minority leaders and citizens of the city as a minor dent in his record.

Giuliani acted with grace after September 11, something the vast majority of New Yorkers were thankful for at the time, particularly in contrast to our commander in chief's floundering. But let's get over the collective amnesia that's taken over regarding Giuliani's reign, particularly where it concerns unapologetic racism and chipping away at civil rights.

For some re-education about the effects of police brutality in this city, see this excellent PBS documentary:

http://www.pbs.org/pov/pov2004/everymothersson/index.html

IMO: There is something Comical about Republicans supporting :

Huh? This is a Conservative Pro-Family Value Candidate??

Me? I'm rather not fond of him but hey, I'm biased: I have friends who were Pulled over and questioned since they were apparently dark skinned *AND* drove expensive cars (Can we say Racial Profiling, boys and girls?) (Because an IBM Exec in a Suit and an Expensive car is Obviously a Drug dealer *IF* driving home thru Jamaica Queens...). IMO: Sure, The city was more secure at the expense of Minorities whom were virtually locked out of City hall.

He did good Re: 9/11. Like many of us, He did lose people close to him and held up admirably under the duress. But to me, it sure doesn't make up for the rest of his record.

I wish to God that politicians would stop trying to make their careers on the Bodies of the 9/11 Victims.

i watched the first few minutes, but i couldn't stomach the rest of rudy's speech, it angered me so much. i don't think *either* party should use 9/11 as a political tool. it is disgraceful. i was incredulous at the parade of 9/11 widows out on that podium. how can they take part in that? how can they support bush when he's used the attacks as a justification for the unrelated war in iraq? how can they support him while bin laden is still at large?? why would they support leadership that stalled on the 9/11 investigations? and how can giuliani, who quite effectively led new york through a very dark time, get up there and say that we're safer because of bush? these people need to stop drinking the koolaid.

rudy's a great public speaker, but i don't like anything he has to say.

i watched the first few minutes, but i couldn't stomach the rest of rudy's speech, it angered me so much. i don't think *either* party should use 9/11 as a political tool. it is disgraceful. i was incredulous at the parade of 9/11 widows out on that podium. how can they take part in that? how can they support bush when he's used the attacks as a justification for the unrelated war in iraq? how can they support him while bin laden is still at large?? why would they support leadership that stalled on the 9/11 investigations? and how can giuliani, who quite effectively led new york through a very dark time, get up there and say that we're safer because of bush? these people need to stop drinking the koolaid.

rudy's a great public speaker, but i don't like anything he has to say.