Rudy enters the ring

So Rudi Giuliani wants to be President. I don’t have really strong feelings one way or the other about Rudy the politician. He helped clean up New York though the lion’s share of the acclain goes to Police Commissioner William Bratton. On the downside of this cleanup, however, was a nasty string of brutalities (Diallo, Louimia, et al.) by the NYPD. His performance on 9/11 and thereafter drew him considerable praise, though I have no idea what he did to earn it besides taking the “this is New York and we are tough enough to get through this” line. This is not meant to belittle his record; I just don’t know enough to judge one way or the other. But I do know that his resolute demeanor in the hours and days following the attack stood in stark relief to Bush. That may not be a fair comparison though, being that El Presidente went into hiding for a couple of days. Maybe Giuliani is up to the task; I have no idea.

I do have some strong feelings for Rudy the man. Frankly, the guy is a dick. He was pals with Bernard Kerik, a cop so crooked he used an apartment overlooking Ground Zero, designated for tired firefighters and cops, to fuck his mistress. Class. As soon as Kerik’s ethical problems came to light, he was dumped liked day old bread. When New Yorkers gave Bratton more credit than Giuliani for reducing crime in the city, Rudy canned his ass. And my personal favorite, he took his girlfriend to the New York Mother’s Day Parade, while he was getting his second divorce. The man is vindictive, imperious, preening, and self-absorbed.

What I find amazing in all of this is Rudy must think he can win the nomination. Call me crazy but I think the chances are slim that today’s moralizing, “family values” Republican party is going to give the nod to a Catholic, twice divorced, pro-choice, pro-gay rights, philandering, and at times, cross-dressing former New York City mayor. That will not play in the Bible Belt - Rudy is kidding himself.