National Enquirer: Bush to Pick Rudy Giuliani

[RobertSeattle]

I know, consider the source... (Why don't they stick to responsible journalism like the current acne status of Britney?)

http://www.nationalenquirer.com/stories/feature.cfm?instanceid=62130

Former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani, the hero of 9-11, is being secretly courted to become President George W. Bush's running mate in the November election, The ENQUIRER has learned.
Sources say Republican Party officials want Giuliani, who showed so much leadership and courage during the attack on the World Trade Center in 2001, to replace current VP Dick Cheney on the ticket.

They are convinced Rudy is the secret weapon that could defeat Democratic hopefuls John Kerry and John Edwards.

"It's Rudy's if he wants it," a close source told The ENQUIRER. "The GOP floated rumors about Rudy in June to see what the reaction would be -- and they found overwhelming support. In early July, top Republican officials approached Rudy secretly to determine if he wants to join President Bush's ticket.

[shoelace414]

1. why would Rudy

hitch his cart to this administration?

look what voldemort did to Powell

[apnu]

10. LOL

[elperromagico]

2. It would be funny to get the conservative reaction

to the pro-choice divorcee Rudy Giuliani.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

19. Well gee, those "Conservatives" backed Arnold Gropenfuher.

The Fundienazis will do whatever it takes to win.

[Zidane]

21. What I predict would happen

Is that he would all of a sudden have a born again experience or some such BS. (the far right in the repub party love that shit) He would renounce abortion and would pretend to be as fundamentalist as they were.

The repub base is NOT very bright. If bush told them the sky was purple they would believe him.

[serryjw]

30. EXACTLY!

Not to mention his VERY public divorse......nah.....won't happen!

[madrchsod]

3. perfect fit

girl friend while he was married..gee i thought the republicans were going to protect marriage

[Az_lefty]

4. I heard Hillary's going to be Kerry's running mate too

Oh wait, that was a couple weeks ago.

[flordehinojos]

5. does rudy giuliani have the temperament to be a "Yes Man" all the time?

I think he might be the kind of politician who might have to bite his tongue very hard to keep from telling JUNIOR to SHOVE IT!
;-)

[zulchzulu]

6. Is Rudy ready to be president?

Actually, the anti-choice people within the GOP power structure would never allow it.

What would be a hoot would be how they eject Cheney. I doubt he's going to go out with a scream or two.

[Doosh]

7. well, they broke the rush story....

[SaveElmer]

8. Republicans would look too desperate...

This would backfire now...had they sprung this as a surprise it might have worked, but with all the denials that Cheney would be replaced...a change now would not work for them, and would make them look weak.

Of course this is the National Enquirer...only slightly more reliable than Drudge...so it doesn't really matter

[Zidane]

22. It wouldn't look desperate

If cheney pretended to have a heart attack in the middle of press conference, and then resigned due to health reasons.

These people are masters at deception. Rove could arrange the above in his sleep.

[WI_DEM]

9. if this actually did happen this is what we should do

start talking about the 'split personality' of the GOP ticket with anti-choice, anti-stem cell research Bush and pro-choice, pro-stem cell research Rudy on the same ticket. That will shake their base. Ok, that will shake their base. They always want to talk about values? how about nominating a man who spent a good deal of his term as Mayor NY, while still married, openly dating another woman? will the religious nuts like that? Finally, "The Hero of 9/11?" not with the families of 9/11 vitims. One other thing. Bush is trying to make flip-flops an issue. Pick Rudy over Cheney that is one big flip flop. Also it takes into ? Bush's devotion to conservative causes if he puts a socially moderate Republican on the ticket.

[Connie_Corleone]

11. I don't know about the National Enquirer...

But, they have broken some stories recently. It's amazing how they seem more credible than so-called "legitimate" news papers.

[Dob Bole]

12. If the National Enquirer is Right, I'm moving...

Not because of Rudy Guiliani, but because the National Enquirer was right.

[sundancekid]

13. Rudy is way smarter politically than to hitch up to a faded "star"

now and threaten his future political ambitions ...

[Anaxamander]

17. nm

[Zidane]

23. It would probably help him

and this is part of the reason I am convinced they will try to get him on board.

As far as his political ambitions - he would have a MUCH better shot running for president as VP rather than an ex-mayor. In fact - as an ex-mayor he will probably never get the chance to get much better. Getting VP would be his only shot at the top spot.

[Protected]

14. That still leaves Bush on the ticket.

They'd have to replace him if they really want a chance.

[Anaxamander]

18. LOL! Good point!

Maybe they'll swap Cheney for Giuliani and Bush for Arnie?

[sleipnir]

15. If it's in the Enquirer it's probably TRUE, and I'm not joking here.

The one thing that magazine has is an impeccable legal department. Every story they run has to be true, or at least corroborated by more than one source. The got into a big legal issue involving Carol Burnett back in the mid-70's and ever since then, their mantra has been towards accurate, honest journalism. It just happens that the stories they break are celeb sensations or scandals involving high-profile people.

They always confirm their stories, because not to would lead to huge and consistent libel charges. It's funny that this paper is often more concerned with accurate journalism than most of the major market "legitimate" papers.

The dif. between the Enquirer and, say the "Daily World News" is that those are stated for entertainment purposes only and rarely feature hard news.

It all comes down to the fact that if the Enquirer says it's going to happen, it's probably going to happen. Though, look at this story, Bush is secretly talking to Guiliani for the VP spot. That's not beyond the realm of fiction, actually, it's highly probable. This story has been floated on the blogs, DU, etc, now it's getting into the mainstream media.

The final line is that it's too expensive for the Enquirer not to fact check to the absolute legal limit, because libel suing celebs are just outside the door if they don't.

[lanparty]

16. I'm convinced that Cheney will be booted ...

Cheney will leave the ticket a little before the convention. The Rethugs are making all the moves to set up some switch. Cheney himself has 21% popularity ratings. I dare say he's less popular than Newt Gingrich.

But RUDY GIULIANI??? I'm sorry but Bush has already pissed off the REAL CONSERVATIVE base enough. He can't risk losing the Fauxdamentalists. And RUDY would DEFINITELY offend the fauxndamentalists. How on earth could Dubaya justify nominating a man who brought his mistress to live in the mayor's mansion while his while still resided there?????

Don't get me wrong, Bush is welcome to do this in my book. It won't help him any in the Northeast and will DEVASTATE him in the South and Midwest.

[digno dave]

28. The important ? is would this turn NY Red???

[VOX]

20. Fundies would still vote for a */Guiliani ticket...

Who else are they gonna vote for? Fundies are so agitated and fearful that they won't be staying home on election day -- they've gotta get their rapture on, and * is still their Armageddon candidate. They will vote for any GOP candidate who throws them a crumb.

As far as Guiliani going on the ticket, I've been saying for months that this would happen. Never put *anything* past the right wing. They will do whatever it takes to get into power, and to hold on to that power.

As a cautionary tale, look to the recent GOP power-grab in California. By all appearances, Arnold isn't the right wing's cup of tea, but the GOP determined that his brand of BS would fly in CA, and unfortunately, it did. It was the right wing who paid for the recall signatures in CA, and the right wing who installed him.

The GOP has the discipline to take its victories "ugly." They may not always appear bo be aligned with the right-wing party line note-for-note, but wingers will compromise in order to get their candidates in office. Arnold, for all his mainstream posturing, has been a big backer of Orrin Hatch, etc., and, at the core, is a good foot soldier in the right-wing army.

Democrats would surely benefit from practicing this kind of discipline -- all elements of the party's political spectrum banding together.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

24. I like the way you think!!!

I have been saying this all along! We should be pragmatic. Do whatever it takes to win!!!

[LynneSin]

25. WEEKLY WORLD NEWS: Bush to Pick BAT BOY!!!

Let's face it, it could only help the ticket

[childslibrarian]

26. Cheney is running things

Why would he give it up?

[Princess Turandot]

27. When Rudy moved out of Gracie Mansion during the flap with his wife..

he was living for awhile with 2 openly gay men who are good friends of his. That ought to go over well with the radical right. He's making $$ hand over fist now with his consulting firm, and frankly, whether you like or dislike him, agree or disagree with his views, he's a very smart guy. Unlike General Powell, I cannot see him working for an idiot. Plus, GW might not want to risk having a VP who may get a greater round of applause than he would in certain markets.

[JDPriestly]

29. If Cheney goes, Giuliani is a possible pick.

The Republicans give their born-again base a lot of rhetoric, but little more. They are desperate to win, and Cheney is not popular. Even with Giuliani as vice president, he could still remain at the helm of the government even if he isn't the v.p. candidate. He would give himself some other title/post.

Giuliani would be crazy to accept the nomination, but his ego is so big, it might drive him insane.

[Ishoutandscream]

31. Bush would be seen as a "flip-flopper"

which is about the only thing he can say about Kerry. That would take away one of his attacking points.

Keep Cheney and lose. Pick Rudy and be called a "flip-flopper" and lose. Damned if he does; damned if he doesn't. Beautiful.

[LiveWire]

32. Dont get me wrong, I like Guiliani, but...

He's still running with Bush. If he was running, say with McCaine, I might consider voting for him. However, Bush is still Bush, no matter have you dress him up.

If I remember it right, while Guiliani was starting to sift through the rubble of the WTC, Bush was still stuck in a classroom with his thumb up his butt.