Candidates: Rudy Giuliani

I really thought I liked Giuliani when he was the mayor of New York. I really knew nothing about his politics nor did I care. I thought he handled 9/11 really well and vividly remember his speech to America on SNL saying it was okay to laugh again. But that’s in the past and I would rather consider the now when looking into his nomination.

Giuliani reminds me in a strange way of Barack Obama. Both have used this kind of “real guy” charisma as the basis of their campaign. Giuliani has seemingly no dirty laundry that has not already been hung out to dry. But he doesn’t shove it in our face in the same way that Obama does. While Obama seems to say, “Look at how normal and great I am! Vote for me!” Giuliani says, “Yeah, what’re you gonna do about it?” And I kind of like that. But let’s talk about his politics a wee bit shall we?

For what its worth, Giuliani lists “12 Commitments to the American People” on his website www.joinrudy2008.com:

I will keep America on offense in the Terrorists' War on us.
I will end illegal immigration, secure our borders, and identify every non-citizen in our nation.
I will restore fiscal discipline and cut wasteful Washington spending.
I will cut taxes and reform the tax code.
I will impose accountability on Washington.
I will lead America towards energy independence.
I will give Americans more control over and access to health care with affordable and portable free-market solutions.
I will increase adoptions, decrease abortions, and protect the quality of life for our children.
I will reform the legal system and appoint strict constructionist judges.
I will ensure that every community in America is prepared for terrorist attacks and natural disasters.
I will provide access to a quality education to every child in America by giving real school choice to parents.
I will expand America's involvement in the global economy and strengthen our reputation around the world.

Ok. Whatever that means. Seems like a list of empty promises that look good on paper anyways. But there is nothing very new here. For a Republican anyway. And I thought this guy used to be pro choice? I need to look further than these “commitments.”

I think he really is kind of pro choice. He says he “supports reasonable restrictions on abortion.” Yeah so do I. Nine months is a little late. So this issue is a little shrouded in creative jargon that is appealing both to liberals and conservatives.

Iraq. Giuliani really seems to think the war is a mistake and a bad thing but that it must be won. While I believe it has already been lost, he is still going to truck on it seems. And wants no “artificial timetable” for withdrawl. Damn. This things going to go on forever.

I don’t quite know how one can make tax cuts and restore fiscal discipline in times of mass deficit. But that’s one of those magical Republican mysteries.

And there’s some other stuff on his website. But noticeably absent is the issue of global climate change. In my research I can’t find Giuliani’s specific beliefs on GCC. One of his “commitments” is to create energy independence. But I see no real plan for dealing with this.

Giuliani seems very mysterious to me. I don’t really get him on a lot of things because he doesn’t make things very clear. The mark of someone who will get the nomination. And it is for that reason that I am almost certain Giuliani will be getting the Republican nomination. I’ll have to investigate further when he gets the coveted seat.

Chance of nomination: 85%