Republican Presidential Candidate Rudy Giuliani has a reputation for strong leadership. Throughout the days that followed September 11th, 2001 Giuliani, then Mayor of New York, was a strong and stable leader not only to the city, but the nation as a whole. However, during the presidential race he has gotten a reputation as leaning too heavily on the support he has garnered from 9/11.
Taking a look at his website, there is no absence of 9/11 references, however he has a clear platform of his "12 Commitments to the American People" which include many cleverly worded issues like "Keep America on offense in the Terrorists war on us" instead of the cliche "War on Terrorism." Some of his other key issues are "Keeping Washington Accountable," "End Illegal immigration, secure America's borders and identify all non citizens." Although most of these issues are pretty standard primary-election issues, Giuliani is attempting to establish himself as a competent Republican.
In the past, the GOP was known as the party of competence, while Democrats were known as the party of compassion. Sad to say that the GOP lost quite a bit of credibility in the competence department with the 8 year embarassment of President Bush Jr. However, Giuliani has experience in a high-pressure demographic whereas candidates like Romney may fall short. During his time as Mayor of New York, Giuliani was re-elected by 57%...nearly a landslide by today's standards in a city where Democrats outnumber Republicans 5 to 1.
What this may say about Giuliani is his universal appeal. Giuliani is a conservative; saying on his website that if he had the chance to nominate Justices to the US Supreme Court, he would hope to nominate those like Alito, Roberts and Scalia who are arguably the most conservative Justices on the bench. Also, Giuliani's stance on the war in Iraq is that "an artificial time table would be a terrible mistake," which to many people sounds like there is no exit strategy at all, is much more pro-Iraq than any Democratic candidate out there. This may win him support with military-minded Democrats who are not in favor of pulling out troops. Although those kind of statements show that Giuliani is Republican through-and-through, his reputation as a strong leader during the dark times that followed September 11th, may gain him support of those swing or centrist voters.
Although I do consider myself a Democrat, I must admit that Giuliani is the only Republican candidate that I can picture myself voting for or being satisfied with being elected. He has an image of a strong leader and a competent national figure who could lead (albeit more conservatively) the country in the crucial years ahead.
1 comment:
It's interesting to read criticism of a candidate that you still might find yourself willing to vote for. I feel like too many people will say "Oh, here's a negative, it's over." Maybe that's why everyone hates all politicians, because every flaw is a killer flaw.
Interesting idea.
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