Plainsman1963

Party: Republican for NY Senate
Born: 1944 in Brooklyn.
Family: Married to Donna Hanover, veteran broadcast journalist and actress.
Two children, Andrew and Caroline; and yellow Labrador, Goalie.
They reside at Gracie Mansion, Manhattan

Education:
New York University Law School in Manhattan, graduating magna cum laude in 1968.
Manhattan College (Class of '65) in the Bronx
Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School (Class of '61) in Brooklyn
Professional Experience:
1977 to 1981: Practiced law in the private sector.
1973: US Attorney's Office, chief of Narcotics Unit
1970: Staff, US Attorney's Office,

Political Experience:
New York City's 107th Mayor
1983: U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York.
1981: Associate Attorney General, Department of Justice.
1975: Associate Deputy Attorney General and chief of staff to the Deputy Attorney General, Washington DC

On the Issues

Lit_Match

America must assume that it will face a future terrorist attack akin to 9/11, and realize that police, fire and rescue workers are vital to this country's domestic security, former New York mayor and current Republican presidential hopeful Rudy Giuliani said Wednesday in Spartanburg.

"We have to assume that they will. That's the only way we can be safe, is if we assume they will attack us and then we do everything we can as best we can as human beings and professionals to prepare for it," Giuliani said.

"But when they do it again, it isn't going to be the federal government, it isn't going to be the military probably, that's going to have to show up as the first people that arrive on the scene of the bombing, or the anthrax attack, or … you pick the attack. It's going to be one of your brothers and sisters or you that gets to do it. And your ability to do it well will once again determine if we're able to save lives, save America."

An estimated 300 people mostly emergency responders from across the state, along with a gaggle of reporters packed into the North Spartanburg Fire Department, where Giuliani spoke and answered questions for about an hour.

His speech was sandwiched between two fundraisers, one for U.S. Rep. Bob Inglis in Greenville and one for himself at Colonial Trust President Barry Wynn's house in Spartanburg.

While the hero image that Giuliani attained in many people's minds following the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon has helped his popularity soar, two main challenges his campaign faces in the critical Republican primary state of South Carolina are his stance on social issues considered "soft" or "liberal" by many social conservatives and his identity outside of New York City.

Those obstacles might hurt him in a state where fellow GOP frontrunner John McCain has the support of the Republican establishment and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney has spent two years courting social conservatives.

"(Giuliani) has the name recognition ... but, despite his national reputation, he just seems a little distant," said Clemson University political science professor Dave Woodard, who was not at the event.

"Romney has the Olympics. Every American can identify with the Olympics. But Giuliani is New York. He's New York in every way. I'm sure that helps him in New York. But I'm not sure it's that way down here."

Giuliani did not address abortion, gay marriage and gun control during his stop in Spartanburg, though County Council Chairman Jeff Horton, in endorsing Giuliani's candidacy, played up the bond South Carolina shares with New York.

"New York City is our city, too. And we all owe Mayor Rudy Giuliani for saving it for us," Horton said.

"Mayor Giuliani was there when the twin towers were hit. He knew many of the police and firemen who rushed willingly, dutifully, into the flames and perished in the act. He lost friends in that attack. He has been tested and proven. He is the man to lead our country in 2008."

And not everyone puts abortion or gay marriage at the top of their list of presidential priorities.

"I have always admired him since 9/11," said Betty Darnell, 55, of Spartanburg. "I don't care about the social things. I'm for protecting me and my children, and I think he's the best for that."

While in town, Giuliani was named a member of the South Carolina State Firefighters Association they waived his annual dues and an honorary South Carolina fire chief.

"We watched you on the world stage in a very tough time for our nation," said Joe Palmer, president of the Firefighters Association. "We know your heart. You are one of us."

Giuliani, in his speech, said if he were elected president, he would make sure every emergency response unit in America has a "decent level" of preparation.

"We all have to be prepared," he said. "The Department of Homeland
Security should be about making sure you have the training and the preparation you need to defend your community, but in defending your community nowadays, you're defending America."

Fire and rescue workers from across the Palmetto State listened attentively. Those who didn't directly say they were supporting him said they did support his emphasis on domestic security.

"There are issues out there hampering emergency response," said Travis
Carricato, head of South Carolina Task Force 1, a group of fire and rescue workers statewide.

"Drawing some attention to these issues helps … no matter who gets elected."

Seneca Fire Chief Shane Phillips said every time the federal government draws up a budget, fire departments feel threatened that the federal funding that helps keep them running will dry up.

"We know how he helped support fire service, and we need all the help we can get," said David Smith, assistant chief at the Poplar Springs Fire Department.

"Our funding is nowhere near New York's."

Behind Giuliani, a giant American flag served as a backdrop, along with a North Spartanburg engine.

During a question-and-answer session, Giuliani said that trade with nations like China needs to be on a level playing field, and that America needs to learn to profit from globalization. This country not only needs a physical wall to curb immigration, he said, but a technological one as well, with sophisticated photographic equipment that everyone who comes across the border needs to be in a database, and every legal immigrant needs to learn to read and write English. And he said America needs to rely more on ethanol and nuclear power to achieve energy independence.

As the former mayor left the building, the crowd swarmed to him, wanting to shake hands or get an autograph.

His visit brought national press attention, and then some. Print outlets on hand included the New Yorker and Time magazine. At least 10 news cameras were rolling.

A dozen-or-so county-level volunteers mingled with the crowd, signing up supporters. Horton, during his introduction, encouraged everyone to pick Giuliani in the county GOP's straw poll on March 1.

"We think he's got a great chance of beating Hillary (Clinton)," said Rob Chumley, 36, of Spartanburg, who was heading up the local volunteers.

"He's got a lot of name recognition. And being the mayor of New York City is like being governor of a state."

But Jim Bowie, executive director of the State Firefighters Association, seemed to sum up the sentiment in the room:

"We're not going to elect a fire chief or a police chief as president, but I got to tell you, this is the closest chance we're ever going to have."

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Donation links to NORML (The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws) | MPP (Marijuana Policy Project)

Lit_Match

Yeah, he's done.

MasterCylinder

Newspaper reports that Rudy is going to endorse McCain pretty soon.

dedbr

I sure am glad this asshole is out of the picture.... He was scary.


Some Where In Ded Land.........

__________________
Though my soul may set in darkness,
It will rise in perfect light.
I have loved the stars too fondly,
To be fearful of the night." Sarah Williams

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