August 30, 2006
Rudy Raises Money For Mark Kennedy - Gives 2008 Preview
Hizzoner was in the Twin Cities last night to raise money for Senate candidate Mark Kennedy. Rudy was the featured speaker at even which also included Sen. Norm Coleman and Rep. John Kline.
This is the second time that I have heard Hizzoner speak at one of these small fundraisers, and I can tell you that he has not failed to impress.
The main point that I hope I can convey here is how, unlike another 2008 frontrunner, Rudy always speaks in terms of what it means to be a Republican. He reinforces our core beliefs and our strengths as a political party. He talks with pride about what it means to be a Republican, and draws sharp contrasts between our party and our opponents.
Rudy spoke of a “clear dividing line” between Republicans and Democrats, and what the consequences of losing in November will mean for the conservative agenda.
The Global War on Terror was the first such issue he discussed. Hizzoner stressed that maintaining a Republican majority would mean the difference between staying on the offense against terrorism, or going on defense and waiting for our country to be attacked.
Next he discussed Taxes, and underscored how Republicans understand that cutting taxes and decreasing regulation lead to more jobs and a stronger economy. Rudy stressed that revenues have increased since the Bush tax cuts, not decreased.
After his speech, the speakers took some Q&A from the assembled guests. What was discussed in this session really gives us insight as to what “Rudy 2008″ will look like; and it’s not good news for Rudy’s 2008 Republican primary challengers.
The first question from the crowd was regarding (no surprise) Illegal Immigration. Rudy essentially gave three steps that need to be enacted in any immigration reform legislation. The first step is to seal the borders. Secondly, there needs to be a mechanism for those who are here illegally to come forward so that we can identify who they are and screen them for criminals and potential terrorists. Thirdly, any immigration reform measure would have to included an English language requirement to foster assimilation into American Culture.
Seems to me that this is exactly what the vast majority of Americans want: Seal the borders first!, Screen out the criminals, the drug dealers, and potential terrorists; and require anyone who stays to learn our language and assimilate.
The million dollar question (in my humble opinion) was asked by myself next- the importance of strict constructionist judges in reforming the federal judiciary.
Rudy absolutely hit this one out of the park. My wife had to talk me down from a ledge upon my return last night after I realized that my audio recorder was broken and I did not get this speech on tape. But rest assured, Rudy is as far to the right on judges as anyone in the American Conservative Movement. Imagine a far more eloquent George W. Bush on the issue.
The money quote:
“I don’t understand how you cannot be for strict constructionist judges” (emphasis Rudy’s).
Rudy spoke of his time as a federal prosecutor and how he knows from experience the importance of this issue. He spoke glowingly of Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Sam Alito (I believe he mentioned something to the effect of “You have to be happy with the President’s choices of Roberts and Alito” [emphasis Rudy's]). He ended this discussion by stressing that law is to be made by legislatures, not judges who base their opinions on how they happen to feel that day.
Last night provided a tantalizing glimpse into Rudy’s potential 2008 platform. From what I heard it can be summarized in this way: Stay on offense in the War on Terror; Continue the Bush tax cuts and continue to decrease government regulation of business; Seal the borders first, get rid of the felons, drug dealers, and potential terrorists, and require anyone who stays to learn the English Language; and nominate strict constructionist judges like John Roberts and Sam Alito.
Sounds like a winner to me.
***Welcome Real Clear Politics Readers!
http://race42008.com/2006/08/30/rudy-raises-money-for-mark-kennedy-gives-2008-preview/trackback/
August 30th, 2006 at 11:30 am
Those are winner points alright. Any mention of Rudy’s views on deficit spending?
August 30th, 2006 at 12:42 pm
Unfortunately, that point didn’t come up. But I’m sure that will be a theme as well.
August 30th, 2006 at 12:49 pm
Thank you for the report, KN.
While I share your optimism, for the most part, I am still haunted by something when it comes to the Giuliani 2008 candidacy. And that is he has yet to confront difficult questioning on social issues - such as guns, gays, and abortion - at any of these events, which is going to inevitably arise.
The Giuliani answer on immigration is getting better all the time and his federal judiciary answer, which I have heretofore not heard, was first rate. But I will feel a lot better about the Giuliani chances when there are compelling responses from him on the three social issues mentioned above. We all know that there are far right extremists ready to ambush Giuliani in those areas, and I would like to see how strong his defense and offense are going to be in those battles.
August 30th, 2006 at 6:26 pm
On the right to own weapons, Condi is on record as
a Second Amendment absolutist, (as she stated on her
May 2005 interview on Larry King).
While Rudy is tough on crime, he is also on record as
trying to take more weapons away from the hands of law=
abiding citizens while roping off the bad guys. Too many
laws in New York regarding weapons is one key reason why
the NRA is not in favor of Rudy. Unless he gains some
new wisdom, the NRA won’t support him in 2008.
The NRA on the other hand is on record in support of Condi’s
viewpoints on the Second Amendment. (But is not endorsing anyone
for 2008). Ted Nugest, (who now lives in Crawford Texas) is also a clear Condi supporter.
So we will just have to wait at least another year before she
could say, if you draft me, I will accept. She can’t fly to Iowa
for chicken dinner fundraisers while Iran and Hezbollah are blasting away and trying to demolish the Middle East. She can’t go to
any fundraiser while the UN needs to get a resolution passed to
deal with Iran. She can’t speak at the Minnesota Convention or the
California convention when she has to speak at the UN, or fly to
Israel, or fly to France to handle international turmoil.
August 30th, 2006 at 6:56 pm
This NRA Lifemember does not believe that Rudy will run as an anti-2nd ammendment candidate.
Debbie, do you actually believe that any Republican President would sign gun control legislation (if it could actually pass the House and Senate) in this day and age?
President’s are naturally constrained by their constituency. Rudy’s constituency as Mayor was NYC. Rudy’s as POTUS would be the country as a whole-and gun control isn’t too popular in the country right now.
August 31st, 2006 at 5:13 pm
[...] Rudy Giuliani has proven, both during his tenure as mayor of New York and through his subsequent rhetoric, that he is a pro-growth Republican in the mold of Ronald Reagan, Jack Kemp, and Newt Gingrich. As mayor, Giuliani cut city taxes by more than eight billion dollars, reducing the tax burden on New Yorkers by 22%. Giuliani’s low-tax views remain intact. As Race42008 correspondent Kavon noted yesterday, Rudy’s recent visit to Minnesota included an emphasis on achieving economic growth via low taxes and less regulation on the economy. Rockefeller he ain’t; Rudy’s a Reagan Republican. [...]
September 1st, 2006 at 1:09 am
[...] Rudy on judges. Sounds like he’s running. Sounds like a winner. [...]