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Giuliani Notes: NH GOP Debate – Rudy Wins
Rich Lowry @ National Review: Rudy Wins
If any pro-choicer can win the Republican presidential nomination, it’s Rudy Giuliani. His abortion answer was bad, but what people will remember is his joking around about getting struck down by lightening during it. Otherwise, he was quick, commanding, authoritative-sounding—altogether the Big Man on stage, projecting the image of the kind of guy you can trust during a time of war. He kept taking digs at Washington, burnishing his outsider credentials, and was frank and feisty in taking it to the enemy both metaphorical (the Dems, the media) and real (Islamic terrorism). For all the invocations of Reagan during these forums, Rudy’s strength and emphasis on freedom is probably what is going to strike most voters as really Reaganesque. (All this said, I wish he cared to try to reach an accommodation with pro-lifers that would make his candidacy even stronger).
Agreed.
Hizzoner had a “COMMANDING PRESENCE” in tonight’s debate. He was extremely Presidential and someone you can trust in a time of war.
Rudy was RIGHT on the issues from the Scooter Libby sentencing debacle to calling the Democrats out on “socialized medicine.”
So, what are others saying?
New York Sun’s Ryan Sager: “Big Giuliani Win.â€
National Review’s Kathryn Jean Lopez: “Rudy Won.â€
National Review’s Kate O’Beirne: “Rudy Finishes Strong.”
NBC News’ Chuck Todd: “Rudy Giuliani was solid …â€
Power Line Blog’s John Hinderaker: “Rudy Giuliani … broke away from the pack tonight …â€
CBN’s David Brody: “On immigration, it’s a very complicated issue but Giuliani was able to boil it down to basically say ‘throw the bad people out’ and then was able to weave his idea for national ID cards into the answer.â€
Captains Quarters: Post Debate Analysis: Giuliani Keeps The Crown For Now
Giuliani performed the best. He took advantage of a recurring technical glitch to demonstrate his sense of humor, and he gave great answers on national-security questions. He attacked Hillary Clinton — again — and was the only one on stage looking to move the debate to the Democrats — again. He stung CNN, too, by turning around a Blitzer hypothetical about what he’d do if Petraeus reported no progress in September by asking Blitzer whether he’d bother reporting progress if it was being made.
Update:
Hugh Hewitt: Giuliani “Looked And Sounded Great Tonight†And Would Be A “Formidable†Candidate
National Review’s Jim Geraghty: “Rudy … has been en fuego, as they say on Sportscenter.â€
Townhall’s Mary Katharine Ham: “From his first answer on Iraq, in which he notably outdid Romney who answered the same question right before him, Rudy seemed on point tonight.â€
National Review’s Michael Graham: “Rudy does it in one sentence: ‘It’s unimaginable that you’d leave Saddam in power while fighting a war on terror.’ That’s the argument the GOP should embrace, seize and use …â€
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Giuliani Notes: NH GOP Debate – Rudy on Healthcare
At tonight’s New Hampshire GOP debate Mayor Rudy Giuliani commnets on the need for market based health care reform.
The RIGHT answer!
Others blogging:
National Review’s John Derbyshire: “ [Giuliani] jumps right into health insurance issue. Clear, concise. He’s looking really good tonight.â€
American Spectator’s James Poulos: “Rudy finally clear, commanding, and crisp on socialized health care. Standing up from his chair looks professional and respectful, a dare I say Clintonian assertiveness.â€
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Giuliani Notes: NH GOP Debate – Rudy Confronts Iran
At tonights New Hampshire GOP Debate:
Would you be prepared to use a tactical nuclear device to disable Iran’s nuclear capability?
Rudy Quotes:
“You cannot rule out anything and you shouldn’t take any option off of the table. And during the debate the other night the Democrats seemed to be back in the 1990’s. They do not seem to have gotten beyond the Cold War.
“Iran is a threat, a nuclear threat not just because they can deliver a nuclear warhead with missiles. They are a nuclear threat because they are the biggest state sponsor of terrorism and they can hand nuclear material to terrorists.”
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Giuliani Notes: NH GOP Debate – The Terrorist’s War Against Us
Was it a mistake to invade Iraq knowing everything you know now?
NO…….
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Giuliani Notes: Rudy 32% McCain 19% Romney 12% Thompson 11% Gingrich 8% in Latest USA Today/Gallup Poll
The GOP NUTS:
This is certainly a different result from this morning’s Rasmussen Poll that polled an earlier time period.
Here are the Real Clear Politics Poll Averages:
In the Gallup Poll, Rudy has stabilized along with Fred Thompson while Mitt Romney has climbed upward at John McCain’s expense.
Rudy continues to be the frontrunner with a double digit LEAD.
In a head to head match-up Rudy leads McCain 56%-38% with 6% undecided.
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Cia Leak Case Watch: Libby Sentenced to 2 1/2 Years in Prison for Perjury
AP: Libby Sentenced to 2 1/2 Years in Prison
Former White House aide I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison Tuesday for lying and obstructing the CIA leak investigation.
Libby, the former chief of staff to Vice President Dick Cheney, stood calmly before a packed courtroom as a federal judge said the evidence overwhelmingly proved his guilt and left the courthouse without commenting.
“People who occupy these types of positions, where they have the welfare and security of nation in their hands, have a special obligation to not do anything that might create a problem,” U.S. District Judge Reggie B. Walton said.
Walton did not set a date for Libby to report to prison. Though he saw no reason to let Libby remain free pending appeal, Walton said he would accept written arguments on the issue and rule later.
How quickly can you spell PARDON?
If Judge Walton does not allow Libby to stay out of jail pending appeal then the President will be faced with either pardoning Libby or letting him go to jail. However, written arguments are do next week to allow him out on bail pending an appeal and there will be an appeal of Judge Walton’s ruling should he not permit bail while Libby’s appeal is being pursued.
Will Scooter Libby ever go to jail?
Doubtful.
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Michael Ramirez on Valerie Plame’s Congressional Appearance
CIA Leak Case Watch: Valerie Plame Wilson Sheds Little Light in Congressional Appearance
CIA Leak Case Watch: Is it About Something Bigger?
Michael Ramirez on Scooter Libby and Patrick Fitzgerald
CIA Leak Case Watch: Libby Found Guilty in 4 of 5 Counts
Technorati Tags: CIA, CIALeakCase, ValeriePlame, JoeWilson, PatrickFitzgerald
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Mitt Romney Watch: Flipping on Immigration AGAIN
Former Massachusetts Governor and Presidential candidate Mitt Romney being interviewed by the Lakeland Ledger in Florida, May 25, 2007.
San Francisco Chronicle: Romney backs off stand of registering migrants
He seeks to offset McCain’s support of immigration billHeading into today’s televised Republican debate in New Hampshire, an early primary state, two of the top GOP presidential candidates have clashed over the highly charged issue of illegal immigration.
But former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney — trying to take advantage of a backlash against the position of Arizona Sen. John McCain — appears to have backed away from his calls for an estimated 12 million to 20 million illegal immigrants to register with the government, as he told The Chronicle in March.
Romney, who has been highly critical McCain’s support for the immigration proposal now being debated in the Senate, highlighted three immigration reform priorities this week: securing the U.S. border, putting in place an “enforceable employment verification system” to ensure that employers hire only legal workers, and allowing “no special pathway or privilege to citizenship for those here illegally.”
But in the March interview with The Chronicle, Romney said “the first thing I’d like them (illegal immigrants) to do is to register, so I know how many there are, and what their circumstances are,” including whether they have had children born in America, how long they have been here and whether they hold jobs.
“And on that basis, we can see who would receive temporary employment visas and who would instead be required to return home,” he said.
The current Senate immigration proposal, backed by President Bush, would create a new Z visa, which would call for those in the country illegally to register with authorities, pay a fine, learn English and begin a multiyear process to gain permanent residency.
Another change in position for the Mittster. Or has he NOT thought this issue through?
Flap KNOWS McCain will ask Mitt tonight what his immigration policy position is besides being against the Senate Immigration Bill (which provides for registration with the Z-Visa).
Does Mitt have one? Or is he a Pander-Bear?
Mitt’s other FLIPS:
Illegal aliens mowing his lawn
Scientology book one of his favorites
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Mitt Romney Watch: Modulating on Immigration?
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Iran Nuclear Watch: Ahamdinejad – TOO LATE to Stop Iran’s Nuclear Program
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has warned the UN Security Council against imposing new sanctions against Iran over its nuclear drive, telling the world body it risked playing with a “lion’s tail”.
AP: Iran: ‘Too late’ to stop nuclear program
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Tuesday that it was “too late” to stop Iran’s nuclear program and warned the U.S. and its allies not to push for new U.N. sanctions, comparing his country to a lion sitting quietly in a corner.
“We advise them not to play with the lion’s tail,” Ahmadinejad said, drawing applause from a room of reporters, Iranian officials and foreign dignitaries at a Tehran news conference.
“It is too late to stop the progress of Iran,” Ahmadinejad said. “Iran has passed the point where they wanted Iran to stop.”
The U.N. Security Council is preparing to debate a third set of sanctions against the Islamic republic in response to Tehran’s continuing refusal to suspend uranium enrichment, which can produce fuel for civilian energy or fissile material for a bomb.
Addressing the West, Ahmadinejad said that a third round of sanctions will only “make things harder for you and distances you from resolving the issue … We advise them to give up stubbornness and childish games.”
Ahmadinejad MAY be RIGHT.
The “NUCLEAR POINT OF NO RETURN” is at hand but neither Israel nor the United States show any proclivity in stopping Iran achieve nuclear “BREAKOUT CAPABILITY.”
So, what would additional United Nations sanctions do? Iran has ignored the previous UN resolutions:
By fiddling while Rome has burned, the United States and Israel have allowed Iran to achieve nuclear “statehood” while insisting the Iran shall never obtain a nuclear weapon.
Mr. President, if Iran does not obey United Nations security Council Resolutions and halt uranium enrichment, military operations to hobble/destroy their nuclear program are required.
The time to act is NOW.
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Cox & Forkum: G-8 Party Crasher
Iran Nuclear Watch: COUNTDOWN to Israel’s End
Iran Nuclear Watch: Condoleezza Rice – NO War Plans Against Iran
Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Promises to Discuss Nuclear Activities
Iran Nuclear Watch: Rice Warns Iran
Iran Nuclear Watch: Ali Larijani – Suspension of Uranium Enrichment is Not Acceptable at All
The Natanz uranium enrichment complex in Natanz is pictured in this January 2, 2006 satellite image.
Technorati Tags: IranIsrael, Ahmadinejad
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Giuliani Notes: Rudy 23% Thompson 17% Romney 15% McCain 14% in Latest Rasmussen National GOP Poll
Rasmussen Reports: 2008 Republican Presidential Primary
GOP Nomination: Rudy Down, Thompson in Second, McCain Falls to Fourth
With former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson taking his first formal steps towards a Presidential run and the immigration debate creating challenges for Arizona Senator John McCain, the race for the Republican Presidential nomination has an entirely different look this week.
Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani (R) remains on top, but his support has slipped to 23%. That’s down two points from a week ago and is his lowest level of support all year. Earlier, Giuliani had consistently enjoyed support in the mid-30s. That was before Thompson’s name was added to the mix and before Giuliani stumbled on the abortion issue in the first GOP debate of the season.
Thompson, who just formed an exploratory committee and is the newest face in the race, immediately moved into second place. With 17% support, he is within six points of the frontrunner. That’s closer than anybody has been to Giuliani in 20 consecutive weekly polls. Thompson is also competitive in a variety of general election match-ups with potential Democratic nominees.
The GOP NUTS:
Not a good week for Rudy Giuliani, Mitt Romney and especially John McCain. Will Fred Thompson’s announcement be an opening “BUMP” or the beginning of an electoral trend?
Time will tell.
But, conventional wisdom has the race coalescing around three candidates with McCain, the early frontrunner, odd man OUT. Where will his supporters go?
Since Rudy and Romney have at least a $30-$40 million lead in fundraising will Thompson be able to force either of these candidates out of the race before February 5, 2008?
Doubtful
And who will show at the Ames Straw Poll – the earliest electoral test of a Presidential candidacy?
Probably only Romney and the second, third tier candidates. With Rudy and Thompson close in the polls with Romney third, why give Romney an opening which he can buy with funds and organization. The organization in Iowa which Rudy nor Thompson now do NOT possess and would be almost impossible to quickly fund.
Of course, McCain could withdraw and give his blessing and Iowa organization to Thompson.
Possible
Stay tuned…..
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Day By Day by Chris Muir June 5, 2007