• Giuliani Notes,  President 2008,  Rudy Giuliani

    Giuliani Notes: Rudy Cancels All Political Events Tomorrow

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    Virginia Tech freshman, Ryan Fowler, second from right, hugs his dad, Tim, of Mt. Airy, Md., as his mother, MaryEllin hugs another student near Norris Hall, the site of a shooting on the campus of Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va., Monday, April 16, 2007. Tim and MaryEllin drove down from Maryland to pick up their son after they heard of the shootings. A gunman massacred 32 people at Virginia Tech in the deadliest shooting rampage in modern U.S. history Monday, cutting down his victims in two attacks two hours and a half-mile apart before the university could figure out what was going on and get the warning out to students.

    Rudy cancels all political events tomorrow:

    “Our nation mourns for those who were killed, prays for those who survived and stands shoulder to shoulder with the families, friends and loved ones of all touched by this horrific tragedy.

    “Tomorrow is a day for prayer, reflection and unity. It is a time for our great country to come together.

    Katie Levinson, Communications Director for the Giuliani Campaign.

    The Mayor’s Statement:

    “On this day of national tragedy, when we lost some of our finest to a senseless act, we stand together as a country to mourn those who lost their lives.

    “My thoughts and prayers continue to be with the survivors and the many friends, colleagues and family members of those who perished. May God bless them all.”

    -Rudy Giuliani

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    Previous:

    The Rudy Giuliani Files


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  • GOP,  Jim Gilmore,  President 2008

    Jim Gilmore Watch: 11th Commandment WARNING

    gilmoreapril16aweb

    Republican presidential hopeful and former Virginia Governor Jim Gilmore speaks to supporters at the annual Republican Party of Iowa’s Abraham Lincoln Unity Dinner in Des Moines, Iowa April 14, 2007.

    ABC: Giuliani Misusing Reagan’s 11th Commandment, Says Gilmore

    ABC News’ Teddy Davis Reports: Former Gov. Jim Gilmore, R-Va., accused Rudy Giuliani, a rival for the GOP’s 2008 presidential nomination, of misusing former President Ronald Reagan’s “11th Commandment” following Saturday’s presidential candidate forum in Des Moines, Iowa.

    “You can’t misuse the 11th Commandment,” Gilmore told ABC News in reference to the former New York mayor’s invocation of Reagan’s rule that Republicans should not attack one another. “Reagan ran against Gerald Ford,” added Gilmore, referring to Reagan’s unsuccessful challenge to Ford from the Right for the Republican Party’s 1976 presidential nomination.

    The former Virginia governor defended his “Rudy McRomney” attack on the conservative credentials of Giuliani, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., and former Gov. Mitt Romney, R-Mass., by telling ABC News: “I didn’t attack them personally. I just pointed out that they’re not conservatives,” adding that, in his opinion, the GOP has to run a conservative if it wants to appeal to the strong majority of conservatives in the party.

    Well, former Governor Jim Gilmore is incorrect and why he is attacking the Mayor is beyond the ken. Perhaps it is because Rudy is leading in the polls and is considered the front-runner. Or, more likely because of Rudy’s earlier in the evening speech where he called upon all of the candidates to “make nice.”

    Gilmore’s personal attacks against Rudy, McCain and Romney last Saturday in Iowa violated the GOP’s 11th Commandment and this is why he was solidly booed by GOP partisans attending the Iowa Presidential forum.

    Flap was born and raised in California. I remember when California Governor candidate Ronald Reagan first used the term and why he used it. Reagan spoke often about it throughout his political career. Gilmore violated it.

    Flap recommends that Governor Gilmore develop some issue statements and debate tactics – especially for the May 3rd debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. And most importantly leave the name calling out of national GOP Presidential politics.

    Governor, you have NO chance of winning this race but if you persist you will further damage your “strained” reputation in the national GOP. Besides, you look like a FOOL.

    huckabeeapril15aweb

    Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee plays with his band Capitol Offense following the Republican party of Iowa’s Abraham Lincoln Unity Dinner, Saturday, April 14, 2007, in Des Moines, Iowa.

    Previous:

    Mike Huckabee Watch: 11th Commandment Warning


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  • Global War on Terror,  United Kingdom

    United Kingdom Watch: No More WAR ON TERROR

    Labour’s International Development Secretary Hilary Benn

    British minister dumps ‘War on Terror’ in New York speech

    The Development Secretary, Hilary Benn, will cast his lot with critics of the Bush Administration tonight when he questions the validity of the phrase “War on Terror” during a speech in New York tonight.

    His address will place the Government firmly on the side of the Democrats in what is presently a fraught debate in Washington over the use of the expression, which was coined by the Bush Administration in the days after the September 11 attacks and taken up by Tony Blair as Britain joined the wars that followed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

    Mr Benn will argue that the term — which takes the form of “the global war on terror” or “GWOT” in US policy documents — gives an unwarranted legitimacy to the struggles of small fringe groups which really do not have much in common.

    He will also say that war is only part of the solution to combating terrorism and Britain and America should do more to use the “soft power” of values, ideas and reform to bring about lasting change in the failed and angry states where terrorist groups prosper.

    Watch the video above and you will see the direction of the UK’s Labour Party – LEFT and FECKLESS.

    What does Minister Mr. Bean, mean by “unwarranted legitiamcy to the struggles of small fringe groups?” So, Global Jihad Terrorist organizations like Al Qaeda are small “FRINGE” groups?

    Does Minister Bean Benn have his head up his ASS?

    Just a reminder:

    wtcbothweb2

    The Quotes:

    “In the UK, we do not use the phrase ‘War on Terror’ because we can’t win by military means alone, and because this isn’t us against one organised enemy with a clear identity and a coherent set of objectives,”

    “It is the vast majority of the people in the world — of all nationalities and faiths — against a small number of loose, shifting and disparate groups who have relatively little in common apart from their identification with others who share their distorted view of the world and their idea of being part of something bigger.”

    “What these groups want is to force their individual and narrow values on others without dialogue, without debate, through violence. And by letting them feel part of something bigger, we give them strength.”

    Flap thinks what Mr. Bean means is surrender. His quotes are misguided and reckless.

    Mr Benn’s speech, which will be given at New York University’s Center on International Co-operation, is also considered an attempt to increase his standing among Labour MPs, whose support he is seeking in his bid to become the party’s deputy leader. Putting some daylight between Britain and the Bush Administration’s foreign policy is thought be a key priority after Mr Blair steps down this summer.

    Again, LEFTY Kumbaya politics trumps what is RIGHT.

    Good luck Britain after Tony Blair leaves office. You will be with the rest of FECKLESS Europe.

    Flap thinks you will need it.

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    Previous:

    Iran Watch: I’m Sorry for Selling My Story Says Iran-UK Hostage Mr. Bean


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  • President 2008,  Rudy Giuliani

    Rudy Giuliani Watch: Our Party Has to Get Beyond Issues Like That – Abortion

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    Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani speaks during the Republican party of Iowa’s Abraham Lincoln Unity Dinner, Saturday, April 14, 2007, in Des Moines, Iowa.

    Get past social issues, Giuliani tells backers

    Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani warned GOP activists in Des Moines on Saturday that if they insist on a nominee who always agrees with them, it will spell defeat in 2008.

    “Our party is going to grow, and we are going to win in 2008 if we are a party characterized by what we’re for, not if we’re a party that’s known for what we’re against,” the former New York mayor said at a midday campaign stop.

    Republicans can win, he said, if they nominate a candidate committed to the fight against terrorism and high taxes, rather than a pure social conservative.

    “Our party has to get beyond issues like that,” Giuliani said, a reference to abortion rights, which he supports.

    Giuliani made his remarks at a campaign stop before a speech to about 1,000 of the leadoff caucus state’s most active Republicans, some of whom have voiced unease about his moderate social positions.

    It was Giuliani’s second trip to Iowa, where he leads in early polls but has put in far fewer campaign hours than his rivals.

    Almost all of them joined Giuliani at the Polk County Convention Complex for an evening Iowa GOP fundraiser.

    Giuliani was the first of nine presidential candidates to speak at the party’s annual Lincoln Day dinner, expected to serve as the unofficial kickoff of the 2008 caucus campaign.

    West Des Moines Republican Linda Robel, who supports Giuliani, said she worries that social issues will irreparably damage party unity in the primary campaign.

    “I believe that because of the abortion issue in the Republican Party, it is dividing this party so badly that we may not be able to elect a Republican president,” said Robel, who attended Giuliani’s early event at Noah’s Ark restaurant.

    Rudy is RIGHT and the Eye is RIGHT on his assessment of the Giuliani campaign strategy.

    Rudy in the House

    After the house party, the mayor met with his hosts and a few influential Republicans in the bar at the hotel where he was staying and where a few reporters had also decamped. In a voice loud enough to be overheard on the other side of the room, he outlined his view that the other candidates would divide up the “right-wing,” voters, as he called them, leaving him to consolidate the moderates and the economic and military conservatives who aren’t fixated on social issues.

    And, a Fred Thompson candidacy adds more division of conservative votes without adding a candidate to challenge the “experience/competency factor” of Hizzoner.

    Giuliani is smart and the GOP WILL LOSE the White House unless they learn from the Mayor and nominate a candidate to directly compete with pro-choice Hillary Clinton.

    Not ONE of the rest of the GOP candidate field CAN beat her.

    giulianiapril15aweb

    Republican presidential hopeful former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani autographs a baseball for Patrick Smith, of Kansas City, Saturday, April 14, 2007, in Des Moines, Iowa.

    Previous:

    Rudy Giuliani Watch: Rudy is Selling Competence, Not Ideology

    Rudy Giuliani Watch: The Public Financing of Abortion FLAP – Part Two

    Rudy Giuliani Watch: Blaming the Blogosphere?

    Rudy Giuliani Watch: The Public Financing of Abortion FLAP

    Rudy Giuliani Watch: Brent Seaborn Strategy Memo

    Rudy Giuliani Watch: Michael Barone Looks at the Polls

    The Rudy Giuliani Files


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  • Iran,  Iran Nuclear Watch,  Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

    Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Will Respond to United Nations Sanctions

    irannukeapril162007aweb

    Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad points to his supporters as he speaks at a sport complex in the city of Shiraz, 895km (556 miles) south of Tehran April 16, 2007. Iran will announce unspecified new ‘nuclear achievements’ if the United Nations takes fresh steps against it over its disputed atomic program, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Monday.

    AP: Iran: Sanctions could spur nuclear push

    President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Monday warned that Iran would respond to additional U.N. sanctions with new nuclear advances, in yet another show of defiance to international demands that the country roll back its atomic program.

    The U.N. Security Council has set a deadline of late May for Iran to halt its uranium enrichment program, warning it will gradually ratchet up its punishments. The council imposed limited sanctions in December and strengthened them slightly last month because of Iran’s refusal to suspend enrichment.

    The United Nations sanction resolutions:

    UNSC Resolution 1696 (2006)

    UNSC Resolution 1737 (2006)

    UNSC Resolution 1747 (2007)

    And how credible is Ahmadinejad’s threat?

    Hell, everyone in the world knows that barring military action by the United States and Israel Iran will not be deterred from obtaining a nuclear weapon. It is a matter of will.

    This threat is more cover for the on-going Iranian nuclear weapons program.

    During Monday’s speech, Ahmadinejad reiterated that Iran would not back down from its right to pursue nuclear development and maintained the peaceful nature of the country’s program.

    “The Iranian nation will use all capacities of nuclear energy in agriculture, industry, medicine and generating electricity,” he said.

    Iran’s defiance has heightened concerns in the region that the U.S. or Israel could respond with a military strike against the country’s nuclear facilities.

    But, will President Bush pull the trigger?

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    Previous:

    Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran To Build Two Additional Bushehr Nuclear Power Plants

    Cox & Forkum: Bureau of Disinformation

    Michael Ramirez on Iran’s National Day of the Nuclear Technology

    Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Announces Industrial Expansion of Uranium Enrichment on Iran’s National Day of the Nuclear Technology

    Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran to Announce More Uranium Enrichment Centrifuges?

    Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Will Have Nuclear Bomb by 2009

    Iran Nuclear Watch: United Nations Security Council Approves New Iran Sanctions

    Iran Nuclear Watch: Russia Delivers Ultimatum to Iran Over Uranium Enrichment

    Iran Nuclear Watch: Ahmadinejad Faces Off With United Nations

    Iran Nuclear Watch: New Iran Nuclear Sanctions Headed to United Nations

    Iran Nuclear Watch: Russia Postpones Nuclear Plant Launch Over Payments

    The Iran Nuclear Files

    irannukejuly15aweb

    The Natanz uranium enrichment complex in Natanz is pictured in this January 2, 2006 satellite image.


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  • Giuliani Notes,  President 2008,  Rudy Giuliani

    Giuliani Notes: Rudy 27% McCain 24% Thompson 11% Romney 10% In Latest CNN Poll

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    CNN Poll: GOP Presidential Poll

    The GOP Nuts:

    With Gingrich in Race

    Giuliani 27%

    McCain 24%

    F. Thompson 11%

    Romney 10%

    Gingrich 8%

    Others 7%

    Unsure 13%

    Without Gingrich in Race

    Giuliani 30%

    McCain 24%

    F. Thompson 12%

    Romney 10%

    Others 10%

    Unsure 13%

    Without Fred Thompson in Race

    Giuliani 31%

    McCain 25%

    Romney 12%

    Gingrich 10%

    Others 9%

    Unsure 13%

    Sampling error: +/-5% pts for all polls above.

    With the latest polling cycle it appears that Rudy has peaked and McCain has reached a floor. Romney continues to not matter.

    But, with only 10 per cent of voter preference will Fred Thompson and/or Newt Gingrich bother with running?

    And how will this impact the polling and fundraising?

    giulianiapril16aweb

    Real Clear Politics polling graphic

    Previous:

    The Rudy Giuliani Files


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  • Arnold Schwarzenegger

    Arnold Schwarzenegger Watch: Governor’s Popularity Soars But is He Governing?

    Dan Walters: Governor on roll, but is it earned?

    Arnold Schwarzenegger is on a big-time political roll, not only in California but globally — befitting a man who achieved worldwide fame as an action movie star.

    Voters like the governor’s tireless peddling of global warming remediation and political “post-partisanship.” His approval ratings in California are once again above 60 percent. And he’s drawing fawning media attention, including the cover of Newsweek magazine and a cable television segment on an “environmentally hip” automobile makeover.

    But since Democrat Governor Gray Davis’ recall what has Arnold done?

    Not much besides raising a bunch of bond money for infrastructure improvements.

    Has he wiped out the California state budget deficits?

    No

    Has he solved the state prison crisis?

    No

    Has he solved the California water crisis with the Sacramento Delta and California State Water Project?

    No

    Dan Walter’s asks the question: Is there any substance to Schwarzenegger’s current notoriety — any lasting benefit to the little people, as it were — or is it all about him?


    From what Flap has seen it is all about him.

    arnoldapril162007aweb

    California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger gives the keynote address at a conference on environmental leadership at Georgetown University in Washington, April 11, 2007.

    Truth is, Schwarzenegger’s governorship has been a mixed bag at best. He deserves high marks for at least taking responsibility for big, long-deadlocked issues such as prison reform, the budget deficit, water, health care, redistricting reform and infrastructure and promising to tackle the most intransigent of them all — K-12 education — next year. But in truth, he’s only delivered, at least so far, on infrastructure and then only partially. The global warming legislation that he touts so vociferously is mostly symbolism and would, unto itself, have little impact, even if one accepts the potentially apocalyptic scenario that he and others embrace.

    Flap suggests that the governor get his ASS back to California and start governing.

    What the people giveth they can taketh away and right now the Governator isn’t cutting it.

    If Arnold wants some hints on what to do:

    1. Solve the multi-billion state budget deficit – quit rolling it over from year to year.

    2. Build more state prisons – before they are taking over by the federal courts.

    3. Lead the charge for a Peripheral Canal and Sacramento Delta Levee improvement to provide more water to southern California.

    4. Initiate California healthcare reform especially for illegal aliens who are bankrupting the Medical budgets and forcing the close of emergency rooms.

    5. Show some leadership on illegal immigration

    6. Manage the infrastructure bond money that was recently approved by voters so that there is some immediate relief to traffic-burdened Californians.

    Governor there is plenty to do here in California. It may not be a grand tour promoting environmental activism and it may be difficult politically but the voters of California deserve your attention.

    If not – go back to Hollywood.

    arnoldmarch92007aweb

    Previous:

    Michael Angelo Morales Watch: New San Quentin Death Chamber Under Construction

    President 2008 Watch: California Moves Presidential Primary Election to February 5, 2008

    Arnold Schwarzenegger Watch: Arnold to Michigan: Drop Dead!

    Arnold Schwarzenegger Watch: Pre Post-Partisanship Tapes

    Arnold Schwarzenegger Watch: If It Looks Like a Duck…..


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