Sunday, February 11, 2007
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How Rudy Wins a Primary
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Posted by:
Matt Lewis at
9:54 AM
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If you're Rudy Giuliani, this quote makes you smile:
"I'm a Christian, and his views on a lot of social issues are to the left of mine," said Larry Stirling, a retired state superior court judge from San Diego. "But if you have to make a trade-off, I'll make the trade-off for Giuliani. He's been through a trial by fire. He's got gravitas. The first thing a president has to do is protect us. The rest is a secondary consideration."
My theory has always been that the only way Rudy wins is to make the argument that social issues are a "secondary consideration," because the most important thing voters should care about in '08 is: "Who is best prepared to protect us?"
If the queston voters ask when they walk in the voting booth is: "Who is the most conservative?" -- he can't win. But if the question is: "Who can keep us safe?" -- he may have a shot.
So Rudy's campaign is essentially about arguing over which question voters should use as the criteria for making their decision. If he wins that argument, the question of whom to vote for starts to favor him a bit.
In politics, the question is more important than the answer.
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Another thing: Liberals don't understand just how important it is for conservatives to get strict constructionist judges on the bench. This is a symptom of their tendency toward activist judges. They don't understand that the fundamental role of judges is to decide whether a case is Constitutional or not, or legal or not. Rather, they think judges exist to spread compassion and make "the world a better place", which is how they got horrific decisions passed, like Roe vs. Wade and Kelo vs. New London. |
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Right on, Typhoon,
Giuliani CAN win the nomination by stressing the importance of strict constructionist judges to SCOTUS and other appointments, which he's already laid down the groundwork for on "Hannity & Colmes" last week. But Matt Lewis, the author of this article has it right too: Rudy's gotta keep the focus on the confidence he engenders on national security, as well as fiscal issues, the other big deal in the conservative axis of issues.
If you pay attention, you'll notice that MOST, not all, of the people saying Giuliani has no shot at winning the nomination are liberals and mostly left of center people. Most of them greatly underestimate the conservative mindset and think people right of center are mindless, rectionary troglodytes who would blindly follow a pro-life, anti-gay marriage candidate right off the cliff. Off course there ARE those among the Right, and they may well deny Rudy the nomination, but if we play our cards right and focus on the important issues and get Rudy on the ticket in '08, seeing the panic-stricken faces of the Democrats would be just priceless. |
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"Who is best prepared to protect us?" Can someone tell me Rudy's legitimate claim to this throne? What foreign policy experience does he possess? Military Experience? Sorry, I just don't see it!
Rudy believes in Amnesty for lawbreakers that have violated our borders. Does that sound like someone who is ready to protect us? Ahh, I see! He's got that New York swagger and he sure SOUNDS tough when he gives an interview or lucratively compensated speech. |
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Some of us "conservatives" are Christians first, and believe that some day we will have to give account to God for our actions. Because of that, these Christians (myself included), can not in good conscience vote "security first", over and above the lives of innocent infants.
Having said that, I could vote for Rudy if he deals with us and commits to doing nothing that advances abortion rights, and submits to the will of the people on issues like banning partial-birth abortions. In addition, as noted by Typhoon, above, he needs to appoint strict constructionists to the SCOTUS, as he has steted he will. |
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The evangelicals that have a stranglehold on the Republican party will never make the questions about terrorism or anything else that's actually relevant in this world, as long as there are silly wedge issues like gay marriage to muck around with. |
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There is no homeland security without border security. You can't leave the backdoor open and put out a sign that says "We don't care if you're here illegally", and think you can be safe. |
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how about Santorum as VP to Rudy? |
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Pro-Life, pro 2nd amendment, champion of school choice, fiscal conservative, Midwest values...Tommy Thompson..This would round out the ticket! |
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Rudy doesn't win. Chuck Hagel wins. |
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It's The Court stupid.
If he promises to appoint strict-condtructionist judges, two things will happen: Conservatives will believe him; and it won't make any difference what his personal beliefs are.
Might even be a nice change to see that shoe on the other foot in a debate: 'Of course I personally believe in a woman's right to choose, however my first duty as President will be to The Constitution.' |
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