A Message from Rudy
 Former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani took a baby step toward running for president yesterday by establishing the Rudy Giuliani Presidential Exploratory Committee, Inc. It’s a NY state committee, not the full FEC monty, but it allows him to raise money and travel the country, which is what he’s been doing for Republican candidates for about a year now. Had he been campaigning for Democrats, he’d be poised to take all the marbles.
Like NYC Mayor John V. Lindsey before him – a liberal Republican with presidential ambitions – the baggage of being a big city eastern "elitist" won’t sit well with the right-wing of the party. Rudy is pro-choice, pro-same sex marriage, pro-gun control… hell, Rudy’s more of a Democrat than most pols with a D after their name. Although, people did call him “Hitler on the Hudson” when he was mayor, and he did dump his wife in a messy divorce and marry a much younger aide, plus he’s got some famously corrupt friends – so it isn’t like he lacks Republican credentials altogether.
Rudy’s candidacy would be very bad news for John McCain in the NH presidential primary. McCain has been edging rightward, and not only supports the war, but wants to send more troops to Iraq. NH Republicans are of the libertarian strain – there is no Christian right here to speak of, and there have always been enough free-thinking Republicans in the legislature to protect abortion rights. The state's congressional delegation is represented by two Democrats for the first time since 1922, and they both beat incumbent Republicans -- with plenty of help from independents and Republicans -- because of their opposition to war.
Also bolstering Rudy’s chances is the fact that Independents – the largest “party” in the state – can vote in the primary. So Rudy could do quite well in NH. He could also do well in Nevada. But how he’ll fare in Talabama is another matter entirely.
~Jack McEnany
Also see: Giuliani NH
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