A Giuliani 9/11 Reference Overload?
Republican presidential hopeful, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, speaks during a campaign stop at an American Legion hall in Salem, N.H., Friday Jan. 4, 2008.
The New York Daily News bags (as usual) on Rudy’s Iowa caucus performance and then others take a quote out of context.
He flatlined in Iowa and he’s struggling in New Hampshire, but Rudy Giuliani shook off the early-state blues Thursday as only he can.
“None of this worries me – Sept. 11, there were times I was worried,” Giuliani said.
“We’re sitting in a pretty good position right now. So we’re not worried and not concerned,” he told a news conference here. “Maybe other people acted nervous in a situation like this, but this is not unexpected.”
These two political scientists say enough is enough. Sully cannot help but to pile on.
Come on guys, this statement is OUT OF CONTEXT – much like Biden’s foolishness.
Update:
The Los Angles Dog Trainer is happy to pile on for Rudy’s critics, including the Far Left Robert Greenwald.
12 Comments
James Joyner
What was the context?
Flap
James,
A logical fallacy:
Straw Man: This form is especially common in political debates, when an opponent is quoted out of context in order to misrepresent the opponent’s position, thus making it easier to refute. Frequently, the loss of context makes the opponent sound simplistic or extreme.
In emphasis above……
Steven Taylor
Yes, but to claim that something was taken out of context, one has to provide the context that shows that the quote actually makes sense in said context.
You don’t do that. There is nothing about the slightly expanded context to change the nature of the Giuliani quote.
I also don’t see the applicability of the Straw Man in your critique.
BTW, are you claiming that Giuliani doesn’t frequently make note of 9/11?
Flap
I guess you don’t understand your own logical fallacy.
You have completely changed the nature of this quote in order to misrepresent what he was trying to say.
And, why shouldn’t Rudy, the Times Man of the Year, make reference to his participation in 9/11? He was the Mayor of NYC, no?
Gregor Morrill
What’s the complete context? I’ve been unable to find a transcript or anything other than references back to that NYD article.
LaurenceB
Flap,
In order to claim that something has been “taken out of context”, you need to demonstrate that the conversation surrounding the extracted quote somehow justifies or legitimizes it.
You haven’t done that.
Flap
So, you say.
Read the pieces.
Steven Taylor
In the context of the loss in Iowa he made a reference to 9/11. That’s the point of my post and the context of the quote.
Unless you are saying that his reference to being nervous on 9/11 had nothing to do with not being nervous about the Iowa loss, your argument makes no sense.
Flap
Actually, your piece is a cheap attempt at being snarky and snide.
Give me a break.
The Mayor has every right to use the context of his experience on 9/11.
Did you see the video clip of the comments on Fox News?
If I can find a capture I will post it.
Gregor Morrill
The context appears to be that he was asked whether he was worried about the Iowa results, and he answered with that quote, but I’ll await other evidence.
Of course he has the right to use that context as often and however he likes. He’s done just that, used it a a lot. To the point that it comes off as ridiculous when he mentions that instead of saying something about how there are many more primaries upcoming that he will do better in.
Flap
I think you, Joyner and Taylor are nitpicking……
But, of course, all of you have clear agendas.
Gregor Morrill
What have I nitpicked? You claim it was taken out of context, and I’m just saying I don’t know what the complete context is that you’re referring to. I’m seeking clarification, nothing more. Do you have any clarification?