New York wonders as ex-Mayor Giuliani gains support (Reuters)

[Eugene]

New York wonders as ex-Mayor Giuliani gains support

By Ellen Wulfhorst

44 minutes ago

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Voters are lining up behind Rudolph Giuliani, who became
"America's mayor" on Sept 11, 2001. But many New Yorkers remember the mayor
before that day with less affection.

New Yorkers may have enjoyed Giuliani's success at taming the untamed city but
are quick to recall the combative mayor who insulted constituents, bullied
opponents and made crossing the street in the middle of the block a punishable
offense.

That's not to mention his multiple marriages, a divorce so acrimonious a judge
ordered Giuliani's mistress out of the mayor's mansion and a son so estranged
he plans to play golf instead of campaign for his father.

-snip-

New Yorkers familiar with Giuliani's brash style and hot temper wonder how
those traits will play on the national stage. Giuliani is focusing on issues of
national security and strong leadership as he woos voters across the country.

-snip-

Full article: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070309/pl_nm/usa_politics_giuliani_dc

[saltpoint]

1. This guy isn't all that likeable. The scent of a thug wafts from him

and he doesn't seem especially bright.

The early poll numbers seem to validate his candidacy, but I think Rudy himself will be his own undoing.

[TreasonousBastard]

3. I think so, too, but, as the article says...

he's able to control his public temper and innate arrogance.

I can't imagine, though, that he won't blow up at some point. I hope he does, because after living in a Giuliani NYC, if he becomes President, I see it as a nightmare-- more secretive and combative than anyone in Shrub's administration, and far more focused.

My most vivid memory of Prince Rudy is when he took City Hall and its little park and walled it off from us, long before 9/11. This was the place a lot of us liked to sit with a sandwich on a sunny day, and Koch and Dinkins used to hold public events on the steps. Having the public, even an approving one, so close to him terrified him, and not only were we thrown out, even City Council members had to make an appointment to get through the fences and wall of cops around the building.

Imagine what he'd do in Washington...

[saltpoint]

4. You're right. There's that hard undertow of fascism to Giuliani.

Good example with the wall.

I had left NYC before Dinkins, after volunteering first for Bella Abzug then Mario Cuomo in the city. It's just a hell of a long way down from any of them to Rudy Giuliani.

[Hissyspit]

2. He threatened funding of the Brooklyn Museum of Art over the Sensation

exhibition. In New York City. THE city of freedom of speech and culture. Said all kinds of stupid, uninformed and unenlightened things about it - just another Nazi censor.

Why doesn't anyone remember that or talk about it?

He went after the Mafia. Fine. Since then, he has been no hero in my book and I'm getting pretty sick of the media's lack of critical scrutiny, especially considering what they did to Dean and how a lack of critical scrutiny on the media's part has been shown to be devastatingly dangerous.

[TreasonousBastard]

5. Also prosecuted Micheal Milken and...

(ahem) Marc Rich.

However, he wasn't hated by just defense attorneys-- other US Attorneys were screwed by his use of RICO that ended up lousing up their cases.

And, while he had a pretty good conviction record, his office was known far more for its leaks than actually trying people.

[bdamomma]

6. let's see if his popularity will stay like it is, if Hagel throws his

hat in.

[TwilightGardener]

7. I just don't see this guy going the distance.

He peaked too early, and his reputation right now is a very tall house of cards. Will be interesting to see who fills the void.