An Internet hub with domestic and international news, analysis, original reporting, and popular features from the left, center, indies, centrists, moderates, and right
Why I’ve Decided to Support Rudy
It is with a red face and a newfound sense of humility that I take back all of the bad things that I’ve been saying about Rudy Giuliani and his unsuitability to be prezdent.
My about-face is because of the news that the Reverend Pat Robertson is throwing his support behind America’s Mayor.
I figure that if Giuliani, with all of his moral failings, whackadoodle ideas and mobbed-up friends, can attract the support of one of the most influential figures in the social conservative movement (even if the guy is a card or two short of a full deck), then Rudy is my man.
More here.
opinions powered by SendLove.to
22 Responses to “Why I’ve Decided to Support Rudy”
[...] Shaun Mullen beat me to the punch on the Robertson-Rudy endorsment, but there is another endorsement of some note in the GOP race: Brownback for McCain. [...]
The time’s always right for some Republican bashing isn’t it?
Anyway – it’s a strange endorsement, that’s for sure. A commenter at my site pointed out that he probably agreed to pick Huckabee as his running mate when the time comes.
You’ve outdone not only Guiliani (who’s hardly wacky) but Robertson as well this time. Do you really demonize anything with an R stamped on it more than any object of Robertson’s fear or wrath?
In Shaun’s defense, I this this was a perfectly acceptable, tongue-in-cheek post. And while Shaun’s politics might differ from mine, we have at least agreed on this much: Rudy is unsuitable for the office of President, for many reasons, not least of which are his persistent ego-mania and impatience with all other points-of-view. We don’t need another four years of that mentality. And while Hillary may be just as capable of that mentality, she at least leaves the impression she’s trying to work collaboratively.
ATTENTION COMMENTERS:
We have a comments policy below that you might want to review before you click the “Submit Comment†button. Please stick to the topic and avoid attacks on our bloggers or each other.
Robertson is a political liability rather than an asset, true.
LOL isn’t that something a certain person thinks about all Republicans?
Anyway Pete – I agree that there are better people out there in the Republican camp. Especially Romney, McCain and Huckabee.
Michael — I don’t know exactly who the “certain person” is that you’re referring to, but if it’s to Shaun, then I’d like to respectfully point out that Shaun and I have a great relationship, despite our political differences. So, if you are referring to him, then no, he clearly does not think that way about all Republicans.
Pete, I have to respectfully disagree. He probably ‘likes’ you because you’re not a conservative and therefore not a typical republican to him. If you were a conservative Republican, well, see some of the posts here.
If you’ve read Guiliani’s article in Foreign Affairs and still reached the above solution then I really don’t know how to respond.
Michael — I certainly don’t want to bore TMV readers with a friendly disagreement, but I do think Shaun deserves more credit than you’re giving him. Also, because this exchange touches on what I believe are salient points in the larger sphere of political dialogue, I’m going to continue it, for at least one additional installment.
First, does Mr. Mullen have strong, consistent, and generally left-leaning opinions? Yes, as much so as you and others have strong, consistent, and generally right-leaning opinions.
Second, does Mr. Mullen occasionally voice his opinions in a direct and perhaps “immoderate” manner? Of course he does — and so do I, and so do you, etc.
But none of this places any of us beyond the scope of finding common ground or expressing predominantely reasonable, fair, and open-minded points-of-view.
In fact, on balance, regardless of whether I agree with him or not, I find Shaun a remarkably reasonable person. Even on “hot topics” where we have vehemently disagreed — like Christine Whitman and Ground Zero — we have still managed to get along and find points of agreement elsewhere. For instance, if I remember correctly, we agree that Hugo Chavez is despicable; and in that respect, Shaun’s much closer to the “right” than he is to his compatriots on the “left.” Same could be said about his implied views on HRC, from his E. Roosevelt post earlier today.
Net: I think we all need to open up and look at the balance of each other’s opinions, not one-off points, or even series of points. Hell, you and I have strongly disagreed on topics before, but we have not let those disagreements lead to a schism between us. Shaun deserves the same consideration, as does every TMV and Gazette and other blog writers, readers, and commenters.
Net-Net: I think we earn our “moderation stripes†not in how or what we opine, but in how we treat each other in the wake of our opining.
Amen, Pete!!
Pete,
I think it’s wise if we don’t persue such a debate. Lets agree to disagree. The style puts me off (and most right-of-center readers), you don’t have a problem with it, both viewpoints are fine.
As for Giuliani; as I wrote, I don’t like his foreign policy views. They’re way too hawkish for my taste. He’s out-Bushing Bush.
Peter,
Thank you for standing up for your friend and I agree with you this is not about politics it’s about decency and respect.
Decency and respect Michael aren’t the personal property of any political party or ideology and it’s a shame when thuggery knocks on anyones door.
sure, pat robertson’s stamp of approval makes rudy look good to you, but give me paul weyrich’s boy mitt “don’t call me baseball glove” romney any day!
If you were referring to this, then you have work to do, all right.
Giuliani is a lightweight celebrity trying to ride 9-11 to the Presidency, a lightweight who is far from a true conservative, which gives us non-liberals extra concern that Hillary Clinton is likely to become our next President. What he wrote in Foreign Affairs (or at least what I provided a link to) is in no way crazy, nor does it offend, much less alarm, anybody normal. Giuliani has defects but is in no way crazy, while the depth and disease inherent in all the Bush- and GOP-bashing (as well as other demented radical nonsense I have seen here on occasion) that goes on here does give us normal people cause for concern, as well as irritating or annoying us. (Sometimes we laugh at the parroting of the usual stuff, and sometimes we just ignore it.)
Yep, Romney finally got a celeb endorsement.
We all know Bush will just wait and endorse the eventual nominee — if anyone wants him endorsing anybody at all next year, that is. (Whether his endorsement is sought or he is avoided, that is next year’s question.)
Tell you what shaun – if Dobbin’s decides to support Rudy then I think you should go work for his campaign!
Not to bash the young Dutch lad, but I believe you have your own exclusive blog now, stop the Shaun bashing. He doesn’t troll at your blog. It’s great that two MATURE adults from opposite ends of the spectrum have a friendly relationship.
lol yeah, he publishes posts bashing me and my blog on his own blog. I should’ve done that, no? As for trolling; I didn’t come here trolling, save for one mild critique I agreed that Giuliani is too hawkish, etc.
If that’s ‘trolling’ at this site, well, it becomes difficult to leave any comments then, isn’t it?
Have fun talking amongst yourself in 100% agreement though.
Steve: I think that Pete may appreciate your comment more if you would use his real name, not Peterrrr.
Well, at least if we abide by the posting guidelines we can be sure our comments won’t be deleted. Unlike at some other venues.