November 13, 2007
A 'Mistake'? (Peter Fenn)
Rudy Giuliani says he made “a mistake” with Bernard Kerik. What? I make “mistakes” when I send in blogs with typos; I make mistakes when I don’t buy the right dog food at the supermarket or forget to take out the trash. But a 15-year association — everything from serving as Giuliani’s driver during his mayoral campaign to his NYC police commissioner to his business partner — is more than a casual “mistake.” Trying to put him in charge of the nation’s homeland security was a lot more than a “mistake.”
These two guys were locked at the hip. Now, faced with 14 charges including conspiracy, mail fraud, wire fraud and lying to the IRS — along with a possible sentence of 142 years in prison and $4.7 million in fines — now Kerik is “in the past.” Right.
Not a chance, folks. When Bernie was walking away from his security responsibility in Iraq, Rudy was failing to show up for meetings of the Iraq Study Group because he was giving speeches to earn himself tens of thousands of dollars.
This is the law-and-order duo? Taking hundreds of thousands of dollars from Mafia-related businesses, Kerik goes into business with Giuliani to offer security services.
These two men were so close that Rudy was godfather to Bernie’s girls. Now, Bernie was just a “mistake.” That gives some new meaning to the concept of being a “godfather.”
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Responding to judgment questions regarding Democrats, the response is ALWAYS an apology. Using the Republican 'playbook', responses should attack the questioner. For example: regarding a planted question by Hillary. Response should be: to protect President Bush for 7 years to avoid 'tough questions, the audience was SCREENED for 'pro-Bushies.' Expand this concept as required.
Comment by herb abelow — November 13, 2007 @ 2:49 pm
All debate audiences are normally screened so that's a dubious statement. Go back and look at the Clinton pardon list. More felons than you can squeeze into a Metro bus. What's your point? Giuliani is not responsible for what he didn't know about. That's the difference.
Comment by Robert Rosencrans — November 13, 2007 @ 3:32 pm
This "I'm not perfect" nonsense from Guiliani is one of the most ridiculous approaches by a politician that I've seen in years. Up until the Kerik thing, he has gotten away with it because the media seems to be afraid of him, or just think that he's fabulous copy for them. Perhaps it's a little of both.
Guiliani is totally wrong for any elected office. When he was mayor, he would bring good people into his administration, build them up to be even greater than they were, and then always end up in a public disute with them; mostly because they proved to be their own man or woman. This is severly deficient leadership.
When he stepped into the mayorship, the blacks and latinos of New York City started getting their asses kicked with impugnity. He is a brutal man. When a New York police officer shoved a plunger into ther rear end of an innocent black bystander to a crime, they were heard to say, "it's Guiliani time". Whether true or not, Guiliani's behavior and position made this credible.
As for Kerik, if Guiliani stopped short, Kerik broke his nose. They were joined at the hip. If anyone actually believes Guiliani on this issue, they probably believed Stupid Bush when he was flim flamming everyone in the 2000 primaries and election.
Comment by Chris Calbi — November 13, 2007 @ 3:38 pm
Giuliani is a mistake.
Our bad!
Comment by GOP Timmy — November 13, 2007 @ 9:54 pm
Giuliani: “There were mistakes made with Bernie Kerik.
Rudy wasn't the only one taken in. Mister twenty-nine percent was also a "victim" after Bernie-the-fixer set up those police death squads in Baghdad.
"First, I want to welcome Bernie Kerik to the South Lawn, and to the Oval Office. We just had a fascinating discussion about what he did in Iraq, what he saw in Iraq. He can speak for himself. But let me characterize it this way, that he went to help the Iraqis organize a police force. He showed up at times of chaos and confusion. Because of his leadership, his knowledge and his experience, he was able to stand up a police force in Baghdad in a very quick period of time."–President Bush
Just imagine what 'Homeland Security' could be under Bernie-the-fixer. One shudders at the thought.
Comment by Don Bacon — November 13, 2007 @ 11:14 pm
As testimony to what I have been writing about Guiliani and the media, read this from Media Matters.
http://mediamatters.org/columns/200711130005
Before the whacko chorus starts screaming about Media Matters, just read this about Brian Williams interview with Guiliani. There's no leftist rhetoric of propaganda here. There is, of course, video record to verify.
Comment by Chris Calbi — November 14, 2007 @ 10:38 am
Mr. Giulani is a turncoat politician. He originally was a Democrat turned Republican to run for Attorney General of New York. As AG he went after John Gotti not only because of who Gotti was but to make himself a name in the political arena. He was relentless until he put the man behind bars. Now he is able to run for Mayor of New York and win the election. Because of his 'connections' including Kerik he had clout and was able to clean up New York. It was 9/11 that put him in the eye of the public. As a former New Yorker I would not vote for him if my life depended on it. For all he's done he can't keep a marriage vow nor can he clean up the mess between his children and himself so what do you think he'll do for our Foreign Policy?
Carolyn Ann Widmer,
Jefferson, Georgia
Comment by Carolyn Widmer — November 14, 2007 @ 2:51 pm
Rudy Giulani is a political turncoat. He started out as a Democrat then turned Republican to run for Attorney General in New York. After becoming AG he set his political sights on fame by going after John Gotti and he was relentless but ultimately successful. This fame enabled him with new and better connections to run for Mayor of New York City. He was a tough hard mayor with his own connections and good old Bernie Kerik. The buds were highly successful until 9/11 which catapulted both of them to national acclaim. Their associations with organized crime are well documented in the case of Kerik but Giulani remained friends to the point or elevating him to head the Homeland Security Agency! Recommending Bernie was no "mistake". Giulani cannot keep a marriage vow nor can he make peace with his children. What do you think he will accomplish with United States Foreign Policy if he can't control his own children nor claim their respect? As a former New Yorker I would not vote for him if my life depended on it!
Carolyn Ann Widmer,
Jefferson, Georgia
Comment by Carolyn Widmer — November 14, 2007 @ 3:17 pm
Foreign policy criticism:
http://www.ibdeditorials.com/IBDArticles.aspx?id=279849135391686
Comment by Igor R. — November 14, 2007 @ 5:30 pm
Media Matters is a Clinton group pure and simple. Why not just quote her directly Chris, or are you secretly ashamed of her??
Comment by Robert Rosencrans — November 15, 2007 @ 9:25 am
Robert: As I said, this is on videoptape for the world to see. This same transcript or actual video could be on Drudge or any other blog.
This is my problem with you guys. We can debate concepts and philosophies, and do it clearly and factually as we see it. But when you and Igor start arguing with Visual and audible material like a video, we have a problem. This is a parralel to my old late Italian grandfather's expression. "I spit in your face, and you tell me its raining".
I have asked you particularly to, as best you can, intellectually elevate the dialogue. We are all passionate people who believe what we say and take time out from our lives to express our philosophy and opinion. to muddy it up with nonsense is just a waste of time.
That same video can be seen on the various NBC websites. Do the Clinton's own those too? For whatever reason, the media in general, wants Guiliani to be President, and they are refusing to cast a questioning eye on him and his absurd claims and statements.
Isn't it kind of like in the 90's when the right called CNN the Clinton News Network?
Comment by Chris Calbi — November 15, 2007 @ 10:28 am
Hmm …I married my cousin had that annuled and then married another fine woman but found a new girl friend and publically shamed my wife and children so I married her in the meantime I professionally decided to put the command center back into the world trade center even after an explosion by terrorists because I say take that in your face to the rest of the terrorists.That may have been a mistake along with having no ability for the NYPD to speak to the NYFD on 9/11 via their handsets and a few hundred firefighters died needlessly that day.Kerik may have been a mistake but only if Judith Reagan really does have tapes from their love nest.But HEY VOTE FOR ME anyway.I am Rudy Guliani.
Comment by Linda M — November 18, 2007 @ 3:17 pm
While listening to CSPAN tonight, I heard Fred Thompson's talking points as if being read from a list. To my surprise, it was Rudolph speaking to The Federalist Society.
He also offered praise for Silberman's decision against the D.C. gun ban… the hypocrisy is so thick you can cut it with a knife.
I could go on but, I can let you folks read it for yourselves;
RUDOLPH GIULIANI:
Why Rudolph Giuliani Really Shouldn’t Be President
http://www.tpmcafe.com/blog/specialguests/2007/mar/08/why_rudy_giuliani_re ally_shouldn_t_be_president
Guns and Rudy: The Whole Story
http://www.theconservativevoice.com/articles/article.html?id=25471
Giuliani Judges Lean Left
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0207/2957.html
Read just the short editorial reviews from the following;
Grand Illusion: The Untold Story of Rudy Giuliani and 9/11 by Wayne Barrett and Dan Collins
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/002-1891553-3615230?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Grand+Illusion%3A+The+Untold+Story+of+Rudy+Giuliani+and+9%2F11+by+Wayne+Barrett+and+Dan+Collins&x=16&y=19
The Full Rudy: The Man, the Myth, the Mania by Jack Newfield.
http://www.amazon.com/Full-Rudy-Man-Myth-Mania/dp/1568583826/ref=sr_1_1/102-4494634-0108169?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1194721557&sr=8-1
Rudy!: An Investigative Biography of Rudolph Guiliani by Wayne Barrett.
http://www.amazon.com/Rudy-Investigative-Biography-Rudolph-Guiliani/dp/0465005241/ref=sr_1_1/102-4494634-0108169?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1194721606&sr=1-1
“I used gun control as mayor,” he said at a news conference Saturday during a swing through California. But “I understand the Second Amendment. I understand the right to bear arms.” He said what he did as mayor would have no effect on hunting.
http://www3.whdh.com/news/articles/national/BO42897
MAYOR GIULIANI AND SPEAKER VALLONE ANNOUNCE CITY LAWSUIT AGAINST GUN INDUSTRY
http://www.redstate.com/blogs/republican_michigander/20 07/feb/12/rudys_lawsuit_against_firearms_industry
Comment by Winghunter — November 19, 2007 @ 4:39 am