For ‘America’s Mayor,’ Tips to Take to the White House (Matlin, Begala, others)

[ProSense]

November 19, 2006

For ‘America’s Mayor,’ Tips to Take to the White House

By ADAM NAGOURNEY

Rudolph W. Giuliani as the Republican candidate for president in 2008?

That might seem a bit of a stretch. Conservative voters dominate the early caucuses and primaries. Mr. Giuliani, who took the first steps toward a run last week, is the very symbol of New York City, and his politics reflect that. He is for abortion rights, for gay rights, for gun control. While in much of America he is known as the fearless mayor who led his city through the Sept. 11 attacks, he has an unorthodox history. This is a man who announced on television that he was leaving his second wife — apparently news to her, too — and moved in with a gay couple and their Shih Tzu. Without being judgmental here, it’s a good bet that prospective rivals have already written the ad script for that one.

But history is scattered with wrong predictions, and those written off who went on to become president. “The American people will NEVER elect a Hollywood movie actor as their president,” one pundit declared in 1979 (that one was offered up by the person whose words you are reading). That in mind, the Week in Review invited some consultants and analysts to offer tips on navigating the nominating gantlet. Take it for what it’s worth, Mr. Mayor — the advice is free. ADAM NAGOURNEY

Evolve, but Don’t Be a Phony

Mary Matalin, editor in chief of Threshold Editions and former counselor to Vice President Dick Cheney:

Americans “met” Rudy Giuliani in an authentic and unforgettable leadership tour de force. America’s mayor comes into the race with an instantly credible tag line: A Man, a Moment, Our Country.

His pre-9/11 record buttresses the strong-man-tough-times brand: big city reformer, big-time Reagan-era crime fighter. He should overlay the brand to contemporary conservative domestic policy positions.

Snip...

Surrender on Abortion

Paul Begala, Democratic strategist and former aide to President Bill Clinton:

The bad news from the recent elections is that two of the darlings of social conservatives, Rick Santorum and George Allen, bit the dust. Without them to split the right-wing vote in the primaries, a social liberal like you may be doomed. The Jerry Falwell-wing of the party is going to decide this nomination, and the issue they care most about is abortion.

The other moderates have already moved. Mitt Romney has gone from supporting Massachusetts’ pro-choice laws to supporting the South Dakota law that had no exceptions for rape and incest. Same with John McCain.

Snip...

Go for the Big Tent

Mark Halperin, political director of ABC News and co-author of “The Way to Win: Taking the White House in 2008” (Random House):

Because of 9/11, Rudy Giuliani can walk into any bar in America and get a standing ovation and a free drink. Widespread renown and a national emotional bond are two elements that any presidential candidate needs to succeed. And they aren’t Giuliani’s only strengths. He is good on TV and an intelligent and engaging speaker. He has an abundance of confidence and a record of accomplishment in public life. And he likely could raise enough money to reach the table stakes required to compete for the nomination.

Snip...

Model Yourself on Schwarzenegger

Rich Galen, Republican consultant who worked as a civilian employee for the Defense Department in Iraq:

The overwhelming advantage Rudy has over every other candidate is he has not held public office over the course of the Bush administration.

As to his personal life, there was a time in my lifetime when a Catholic, or someone who was divorced, could not be elected president. John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan made those into myths.

more...

Step away from the spin!

From Talking Points:

(November 14, 2006 -- 12:34 PM EDT)

PERHAPS THIS IS something of an existential question. But do we really have to pretend that Rudy Giuliani has more than a snowball's chance in hell of getting the Republican presidential nomination? Or can we all just stipulate that a multiple adulterer, who supports gay civil rights and choice, has deep and on-going ties to mobbed-up and now-disgraced Police boss Bernie Kerik, has a largely unscrutinized (outside of New York) resume, and had the bright idea of locating the NYC disaster center in the already-once-bombed World Trade Center probably will have some rough sledding in Republican primaries?

More Republican ethics: Giuliani enlists Swift Boat Liars' contributor Boone Pickens

The Full Rudy: The Man, the Mayor, the Myth

Rudy Giuliani blames the troops

Rudy Giuliani in Drag Smooching Donald Trump

[rusty charly]

1. oh god. not the "drink in a bar" metaphor again...

didn't we learn from the chimp? the "drink in a bar" test doesn't cut it for president of the USA and leader of the free world?

[Agnomen]

2. Don't move your mistress in

while your wife is still in residence, like you did at Gracie Mansion.

[vixengrl]

3. The problem with a Guiliani run is his party--

There is simply no good advice for him on a national run, because I think is unique combination of views and abilities worked only in the case of NYC. His more or less social liberalism is a killer on the religious right front, and, sorry, I think a "road to Damascus" move could easily be painted as a "flip-flop" by an opponent in the prmaries who is more "traditionally" conservative. I think the 2004 endorsement of Bernie Kerik fo omeland Security was also a dubious thing--why? It seemed like there were many issues, many, many issues, with Kerik, and that could reflect on Guiliani, who was the guy's business partner--really.

What was that all about?

Also, I think the 9/11 thing is diluted. I know this is a rotten thing to say, but with the health concerns about workers around Ground Zero, and people living around Ground Zero, who might not have heard about what they were really facing...this could come up--people are sick and aren't getting any reparation. It's more immediate than his leadership during the crisis. It's not necessarily his direct fault--Christie Whitman and the EPA is partially at fault there--maybe. (Whitman herself seems to say it's the local authorities' issue.)

And then, wow--is mayor really a launching pad to the White House? Even of a really big and diverse city? Even of the city that hosts the UN? Some people (maybe some senators?) might say no.

In real terms, I say he's a dark horse. Not even where McCain is at--and I don't like McCain. Crap, I like Guiliani better than McCain if I couldn't vote for a Democrat--but he's gonna be a Republican nominee. JMHO.