Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani said he came to speak about "our shared values and shared goals."
"The American people want their elected leaders to reason together," Giuliani said. He admitted he spends as little time here in DC as possible; he's afraid there's something in the air.
Giuliani spoke of the early Christians of America and said it was their values that drew people from around the world to America.
He spoke of both rights and responsibilities, and said that responsibilities should irrevocably come with our rights.
"You have absolutely nothing to fear from me," Giuliani told the crowd. He said he had difficulty understanding those that made him out to be an advocate for liberal causes. He said he would protect the values we share, as he will protect America from the enemies we face.
He said he grew up in an atmosphere where you didn't discuss your faith openly and it wasn't connected to politics, but stressed the authenticity of his beliefs. He said he believed trust was more important than 100% agreement.
Giuliani expressed admiration for Reagan, and said he didn't govern by putting his finger in the air to see which way the wind was blowing. He said if he just repeats to this group what they believe, he's then a follower, not a leader. He said if he says what's on his heart, then others have a right to agree, disagree or whatever. But he said twisting himself around would cause him to lose his sense of what he is all about.
He spoke about the state of dependence, despair, crime and decay which New York City had fallen into before he became mayor. Times Square had become a haven for drug dealers, prostitutes and pornography.
Giuliani spoke about the right of free speech of those who, like the "artist" who did the Virgin Mary in elephant dung, but said that people of faith have the same right to speak out against such offenses. He also said tax money shouldn't go to pay for garbage like that.
Giuliani said religious people have a right to participate in the political process, and should. He encouraged people to stand up against those who would drive religious expression from the public square. "Freedom of religion is not freedom from religion," Giuliani said.
He said the next president must work to restore the idea that duties and obligations come with our rights. He recounted what he accomplished in New York City, moving 640,000 people off the welfare rolls. He believed this also had the effect of reducing crime, along with good policing practices.
Giuliani said he supports school choice, and parents should be empowered to make decisions about their children's education because they are better able to do so than government.
"Every American should have the right to send their child to the school of their choice, including the right of responsible parents to choose homeschooling," he said. "It takes a family, not a village, to raise a child."
He said he was committed to decrease abortions and increase adoptions.
He said judges are to interpret the law, not create law. Giuliani said he would appoint judges in the mold of Scalia, Thomas, Alito or Roberts.
"Our goal in Iraq should be victory," Giuliani said to an enthusiastic crowd. He said our current struggle is like Reagan's statement about the Cold War: "They lose, we win."
Giuliani said Iran must be prevented from getting nuclear weapons, and we must stand against slaughter like that in Darfur.
He said he feels his faith deeply, but perhaps more privately than some. He said he had made mistakes in his life, and had asked forgiveness. He spoke highly of forgiveness, and said that we don't lose faith in our leaders when they're not perfect, but when they're not honest.
To me, Giuliani seemed a bit subdued, perhaps in recognition and acknowledgement that he was before a crowd that doesn't trust him to represent their values, and would prefer another nominee.
I think he made the best speech and best possible appeal for support that he could, given the crowd he addressed. And I think he was smart enough to know this wasn't just a typical, random crowd that would buy platitudes and cheap talk.
I'll give him points for not trying to shine on the values crowd. I may disagree with him in many areas, and do not think he is the appropriate choice for the Republican nominee, but I admire someone who will be honest with me about what they believe, rather than trying to tickle my ears.
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Saturday, October 20, 2007
WB: Rudy Giuliani
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