Is Rudy Still Relevant?
Bill Whalen ·
Apr 17, 2011 at 7:57pm
Interesting news out of Ithaca, NY: Rudy Giuliani is slated to be Cornell's commencement speaker on May 28.
Why is this news? Well, because you know how many times Republicans are invited to such speaking gigs at Ivy League schools (last year, Nancy Pelosi did the honors at Cornell).
Which begs two questions:
1) Do you see any of today's most prominent Republicans fitting in at a comparable venue (no, Arnold Schwarzenegger doesn't count)?
2) A delicate question, but one worth asking: this September marks tens years since the 9/11 attacks. With both that tragedy and his ill-fated presidential run well in the rear-view mirror, does Giuliani still qualify as a prominent national figure?
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Comments :
Jul '10
Re: Is Rudy Still Relevant?
No.
Jun '10
Re: Is Rudy Still Relevant?
1. He's probably the only Republican who would be invited to speak at an Ivy League School, but probably only one like Cornell, which is in his home state.
2. Yes, he's still a prominent national figure, but no longer a viable national candidate. He could, however, serve a key role as a surrogate, particularly in the northeast and in purple states, in helping broaden the Republican brand and being a voice of reason for major spending cuts and entitlement reform. In other words, he could still do good work.
Edited on Apr 17, 2011 at 8:08pmRe: Is Rudy Still Relevant?
Honestly, Bill, I don't think so. Rudy didn't merely lose to McCain. His presidential campaign proved disastrous. Rudy could still run for statewide office, I think, but when? Cuomo just took office as governor, Kirsten Gillibrand was just elected to a full term in the Senate, and Chuck Schumer, who is probably unbeatable in any event, isn't up for reelection until 2016.
I'm leery of saying so, because I half suspect you have some secret insight or information up your sleeve, but it looks to me as though Rudy's all done.
Re: Is Rudy Still Relevant?
I think he's done, too, Peter. He had his window of opportunity in 2008 (but maybe the only way that happens is if he had replaced Cheney on the national ticket in 2004).
Can't really see him enjoying any time in Congress. Having smelled the cordite of executive leadership, the Senate's deliberate style would kill him.
And your silence on the commencement front suggests, to me, that Trump won't be speaking at Dartmouth anytime soon!
Aug '10
Re: Is Rudy Still Relevant?
I don't think so. He was a part of an era that said we need to elect moderate/liberal Republicans to hold onto national offices. 2010 flipped that notion. 2012 will determine whether it really holds true for a position like the Presidency. I'm unsure whether this will hold through 2012, but I don't see Giuliani making much headway as a viable candidate.
I agree with Tabula Rasa's point #2.
Mar '11
Re: Is Rudy Still Relevant?
I think Rudy’s mix of toughness, clear and honest communication skills and relative fiscal probity (he’s a New Yorker, so you have to grade on the curve) make him a fine potential leader. But he’s not a social conservative and that means he’d never make it out of the Republican primaries, despite his many laudable attributes.
He has a stubbornness that suits the times. He was the only New York political figure to reject the notion that NYC was ungovernable. He kept pounding away at problems – some of which he tackled despite a notable lack of local pressure to do so. He made the city safe again. And his conduct during and after the attacks of 9/11 was quasi-Churchillian. It’s a pity he’s not serving the nation in some capacity. Secretary of State in a more enlightened administration perhaps.
Nov '10
Re: Is Rudy Still Relevant?
Better yet- Attorney General or National Security Advisor. This man is too smart, too talented, too brave to be allowed to thrive in the private sector :-) !! We need him back in govt!
Mar '11
Re: Is Rudy Still Relevant?
Um, no, fraid not.
Rubio, Ryan, Palin, yep.
The Democrats have a relatively young, charismatic, pseudo-orator with a baritone voice and sharp creases in his pants, white shirt sleeves rolled half-way-up (check out the video - I don’t care. Obama is cool and awesome. http://proteinwisdom.com/?p=26083) - we need someone that competes, and is preferably a Conservative and believes in the USA and its Constitution.
Oct '10
Re: Is Rudy Still Relevant?
2008 was wrong timing for Rudy. He's got leadership, toughness and communication skills that most of the current GOP field lacks (ask yourself why Trump is doing very well in GOP polls)
As for him not being a social con... is Chris Christie one? Why do many conservatives prefer Trump over another social issues flipflopper, Mitt Romney?
Edited on Apr 17, 2011 at 9:39pmMay '10
Re: Is Rudy Still Relevant?
I was dismayed at how his campaign imploded so soon in the race. I thought he would have been great in a debate against you-know-who had he lasted.
I still have great hopes for Guiliani, though. I'm hoping he can somehow prosecute Obama and his bunch under the RICO statutes.
Jan '11
Re: Is Rudy Still Relevant?
Quite a few prominent Republicans have delivered commencement addresses to Ivy League and other prominent schools:
Jul '10
Re: Is Rudy Still Relevant?
Jack Richman: I think Rudy’s mix of toughness, clear and honest communication skills and relative fiscal probity (he’s a New Yorker, so you have to grade on the curve) make him a fine potential leader. But he’s not a social conservative and that means he’d never make it out of the Republican primaries, despite his many laudable attributes.
He has a stubbornness that suits the times. He was the only New York political figure to reject the notion that NYC was ungovernable. He kept pounding away at problems – some of which he tackled despite a notable lack of local pressure to do so. He made the city safe again. And his conduct during and after the attacks of 9/11 was quasi-Churchillian. It’s a pity he’s not serving the nation in some capacity. Secretary of State in a more enlightened administration perhaps. · Apr 17 at 9:06pm
That sums it up quite nicely. As someone who lived in Manhattan from the early 1970's through the Giuliani years, I have tremendous respect for what he achieved as Mayor. Unfortunately, the social conservatives delivered the 2008 nomination to a nullity instead.
Jan '11
Re: Is Rudy Still Relevant?
No, and that's sad. He has a lot to offer. He certainly has experience running a very large bureaucracy, changing its goals, and making it useful. That ain't beanbag.
Oct '10
Re: Is Rudy Still Relevant?
Kenneth
That sums it up quite nicely. As someone who lived in Manhattan from the early 1970's through the Giuliani years, I have tremendous respect for what he achieved as Mayor. Unfortunately, the social conservatives delivered the 2008 nomination to a nullity instead. · Apr 17 at 10:52pm
McCain won because he was correct on the Surge, while Rudy and Romney were equivocal. That was the major issue at that time.
The Maverick managed to sew up the nomination before the economy collapsed in late 2008.
Jun '10
Re: Is Rudy Still Relevant?
I agree that he'd be an excellent Attorney General or Secretary of State. Maybe he will be keeping a higher profile as the tenth anniversary nears. I hope so. He turned Manhattan around when nobody thought it was possible. And he was incredible through the 9/11 nightmare. I greatly admire his leadership ability & intelligence.
Oh.....he's a Yankee fan.
Nov '10
Re: Is Rudy Still Relevant?
Nope. Perhaps Dog-catcher in Chief.
Nov '10
Re: Is Rudy Still Relevant?
StickerShock: I agree that he'd be an excellent Attorney General or Secretary of State.
Oh.....he's a Yankee fan.
A triple threat!