Brownback backs McCain, Pat Robertson backs Giuliani

Yes you read that right about Giuliani.

I'm not surprised at all about Brownback backing McCain. There was a real friendliness between the two camps that goes back aways, especially in Michigan. That's not even mentioning the fact that both of them are senators. However, I think the issue came down to the life issue and pragmatism. Most of the "pundit" class think this race is between Giuliani, Romney, and some thrown in McCain, some Huckabee, and some Thompson. I still think it's too early to tell and am waiting things out before making my decision. In a three way race between Giuliani, Romney, and McCain, who has the best record on life issues? McCain. If that's your sole issue on voting, it's an easy decision among those three.

As far as Giuliani and Robertson goes, I'm shocked. It doesn't influence me much as I never cared for the guy, but I did not expect that to happen. I thought he was going to be back someone more social conservative at least on the life issue. Huckabee if he was going to be pragmatic and Hunter if more ideological.

Is the name of the game of them to "Stop Hillary/Obama/Edwards?" That's my guess.

Interesting

The Mackinac Conference is this weekend, so is an NRA event. What's interesting is who is speaking at the NRA event. From the Atlantic Monthly and politico:

An NRA spokesman tells me that ex-NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani, a prominent advocate for gun control when he was mayor of New York City, will be among those presidential candidates who speak to before the NRA's Celebration of American Values convention in Washington Friday.

The NRA members know Giuliani's record well, and many Republicans believe that Giuliani's past support for tough gun laws will prove deadly.

But Giuliani is signing a different tune these days.

Also attending:

Sen. Fred Thompson, Sen. John McCain and Gov. Mike Huckabee.

Democrat Bill Richardson will speak to the NRA via videotape, along with Rep. Duncan Hunter and Gov. Mitt Romney

I can see Richardson, Hunter, Thompson, and Huckabee there. Romney signed a compromise ugly gun ban in Massachusetts. McCain tried to ban gun shows (although he IS against the ugly gun ban). But Guliani? Besides his push for stricter gun laws, this guy initiated frivolous lawsuits paid for by tax money, against gun manufacturers. I'd love to be there piping up with a few questions about that after his speech. It'll be interesting to see how he's received there.

Giuliani's geography strategy

While I'm not a fan of Rudy Giuliani's political stances and some aspects of his record, I am a fan of his campaign strategy. 2007/2008 is not 2004. There is one major difference - the timing of primaries. Several states are frontloading their primaries to compete with the traditional startups of Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina. While the rest of the field is concentrating on those states mostly, followed by a 2nd tier (Which includes Michigan), you have newcomers joining the ranks, including California and Florida.

Giuliani understand that, and is going for them.

From the AP:

WASHINGTON (AP) — Rudy Giuliani, taking advantage of an accelerated primary calendar, has adopted an unorthodox campaign itinerary en route to what he hopes will be the Republican presidential nomination.

The former New York mayor is lavishing attention on Florida and California, two delegate-rich states with voters far more receptive to his moderate-to-liberal views. Giuliani is not slighting the early voting states — he plans to be in New Hampshire on Tuesday and Wednesday, but it's his first trip there in a month.

So while Republican rivals Mitt Romney and Sam Brownback were in Iowa last week, Giuliani visited a deli in Orlando, Fla., a town-hall meeting in Jacksonville and a NASCAR race in Daytona Beach. The week before, he turned up at a bagel shop in Irvine, Calif.


Some speculate that Giuliani is deliberately lowering expectations for his performance in Iowa, New Hampshire and another early voting state, South Carolina. Already, he is skipping an early test of strength, the Iowa straw poll in August, although the Giuliani campaign insists he will compete in the Jan. 14 caucuses.

South Florida has a ton of ex New Yorkers. North Florida and the Gulf Coast is tougher for him, but worth fighting for. Giuliani is fighting for base votes (and getting a much deserved earful on gun control - a major weakness) as well as fighting for the more neoconservative crowd he's at home with. California has the money and a lot more "Law and Order" types compared to libertarians. He'll do well there.

The big unknown is what other states are going to move up their primaries. If all of them are frontloaded, then New Hampshire/Iowa may be almost worthless. We'll wait and see.

Rudy Giuliani Campaign sets start to plan

I'm not a fan of many of Rudy Giuliani's politics. That said, this latest move impressed me. While I'm hearing about how bad candidate Jones sucks and a bunch of pandering, Rudy comes out with some goals which made the AP. This was on his site. He called it the 12 commitments to the American people.

I will keep America on offense in the Terrorists' War on Us.
I will end illegal immigration, secure our borders, and identify every non-citizen in our nation.
I will restore fiscal discipline and cut wasteful Washington spending.
I will cut taxes and reform the tax code.
I will impose accountability on Washington.
I will lead America towards energy independence.
I will give Americans more control over and access to healthcare with affordable and portable free-market solutions.
I will increase adoptions, decrease abortions, and protect the quality of life for our children.
I will reform the legal system and appoint strict constructionist judges.
I will ensure that every community in America is prepared for terrorist attacks and natural disasters.
I will provide access to a quality education to every child in America by giving real school choice to parents.
I will expand America's involvement in the global economy and strengthen our reputation around the world.

I wouldn't call this a plan, but at least it is a set of goals and a set of priorities. We as a party have gotten too far away from this and it's killed us lately.

Now I'd like to see some specifics for the plans of Rudy, and all the rest of the candidates for that matter, but this is a nice change from "I'm the true conservative, you suck" that I've been seeing too much of lately.

2008 GOP Candidates - Debate Report

I caught the debate (taped, saw it tonight) on MS-NBC between the 10 presidential candidates on the GOP side. This was in my normal transcript shorthand format when I watch these things and can be difficult to read. Overall, I thought the winner was Mike Huckabee, although I did not care much for the format.

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10 candidates
Mitt Romney – Former Mass. Governor
Sam Brownback – Kansas Senator
Jim Gilmore – Former Virginia Governor
Mike Huckabee – Former Arkansas Governor
Duncan Hunter – California Congressman (San Diego area)
Tommy Thompson – Former Wisconsin Governor
John McCain – Arizona Senator
Ron Paul – Texas Congressman (Surfside)
Rudy Giuliani – Former NYC mayor
Tom Tancredo – Colorado Congressman (Littleton)

Debate 90 minutes. Chris Matthews, John Harris – Questions
Some view questions
60 second answers to Matthews/Harris Q’s, 30 seconds for viewer Q’s
Rebuttals – 30 seconds
No open/closing statements or thank yous to hosts for time purposes.

Some Q’s A’s. I skipped most of the fluff. Some of the more interesting answers IMO (Whether I agree or disagree)

Iraq:

McCain – I need to show success in Iraq to people. He takes Congress to task over the Democrat’s bill, Harry Reid specific for his comment. “IF we lost, who won?” The house cheered surrender. We must win in Iraq. If we withdraw, genocide will happen and it will follow us home.

Thompson. First, we must support the troops. 3 things also need to happen.
1. Iraqi Government must vote if they want us there for legitimacy.
2. 18 territories. They need to elect governments there, prevent civil war
3. Split oil. 1/3 fed, 1/3 state, 1/3 every man, woman, child. Investing in their own country.

Duncan Hunter – Key to winning in Iraq is standing up 128 batallions in Iraqi army. They need to be ready and displace American units. Right way to leave Iraq.

Polls say 55% is unwinnable in Iraq:
Romney – If we want polls to win, we let TV run the country. That’s not want America wants. We need president of strength. We want troops home, in right way. If we leave wrong way, we could have more regional conflict. We may have to come back again.



Huckabee on Rumsfeld – “I would have fired him before the election. I certainly would not have said that I wouldn’t fire him, and then do so, but that’s the president’s call” Real error in judgment by listening to civilians in suits and silk ties and not listened to generals with real mud on boots and medals on chests. Those generals told us early on it would take 300,000 troops to stabilize Iraq. We gave limited troops/budget. That was mistake, but we need to finish the job, do it right, and not go back and do it over.

Ron Paul (asked about voting against war) – We need a non-intervention traditional foreign policy. That was Republican foreign policy in 20th Century. Eisenhower got us out of Korea, Nixon out of Nam. In 2000, we ran on no nation building and humble foreign policy. Declare war if we go, not for UN resolutions or political reasons.

Iran
McCain – We need to bring greater pressures to Iran. Diplomacy, economic, etc with Iran, which is very cultural. Greatest fear – Iran getting nuke and giving to terrorist. There are lots of options, but not war right now.

Constitution to allow foreign born candidates to run for president.
Romney – probably not
Brownback – no
Gilmore – no – don’t like to amend constitution
Huckabee – after 8 years, yes
Hunter – no
Thompson – no
McCain – consider it
Ron Paul – No, strong supporter of original intent
Rudy – yes
Tancredo – no

Ron Paul – Phase out IRS?
Absolutely! Immediately. If we want to lower taxes, change policy (Spending)

Okay Abortion first 8 weeks?
Gilmore – Yes. But I have a pro-life record. Waiting period. Partial Birth Abortion

Thompson – Leave abortion up to the states. I have a prolife record. Signed pro-life bills (listed them). States law.

Romney –
Always personally pro-life, but question on government. I changed my mind 2 years ago.
States should make decision

Brownback asked if he can support GOP’er who is prochoice
I can – Reagan commandment. Agree with 80% But life is a central issue of our day.

Rudy – Asked Why support public funding for abortions? “I don’t” I support Hyde Amendment. State decision. I supported it in NY, other places can make decision.

Moral vs Libertarian with purpose
Paul – What is the goal of govt? Promote liberty – brings us together. Police weakens liberty. We’re fretting about 3rd war countries but stood up to Soviets.

Ok for private employee to fire gays
Thompson – Private decision

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Hunter - We need to win the right way. Build the border fence, let people knock on the door.

Tancredo – Karl Rove wouldn’t be employed in my White House.

Thompson – Biggest problem in our party - We went to change Washington, and it changed us. I started Welfare Reform plan as governor. It would get democrats, independents to support.

McCain – We lost in 2006 – spending got out of control. I will veto a pork bill and make them famous.

What specific cuts:
McCain – Line item veto best tool. Start with defense aqusition. Stop pork spending, then go programs.

Fed funding of embryonic stem cell way.
Romney – None on farming embryos. Fine to be legal, not government. Support AlteredNuclear transfer.
Brownback – no
Gilmore – no Can’t create people to end life
Huckabee – no
Hunter – No, alternatives
Thompson – Not yes/no. A lot of research right now. Adult stem cell research right now.
McCain – We need to fund this.
Ron Paul – Not authorized on constitution. Market/states should deal with it.
Rudy –Yes if not cloning or created to destroy.
Tancredo – Not with tax money.

Flip Flops
McCain – No provisions on Social Security or contingency. Make tax cuts permanent, else it’s a tax increase.

Taxcuts
Romney – 0% Capital Gains tax on middle income
Brownback – Flat tax – choose between current or flat
Gilmore – I kept my word on taxes as governor. Cut Alternative minimum tax.
Huckabee – We need Fairtax! Get rid of IRS and all capital gians, individual/corporate
Hunter – Manufacuters getting killed with dumb trade deals with double tax. Eliminate manufacturing taxes.
Thompson –Vetoed 1990 items, reduced taxes. Alternative min tax – flat tax.
McCain – Line item veto on these. Alt min tax, 3000 tax credit for purchase health insueance. Flatter fair tax.
Ron Paul – Get rid of inflation tax and income tax. Printing too much money. Need sound money.
Rudy – AMT and death tax. Keep tax cuts. 2011 tax increase needs to be stopped.
Tancredo – Support fairtax. Repeal 16th Amendment or we’ll have both. We need to deal with mandatory structural problem.

What Govt does poorly:
Hunter – Secure border. People crossing Mexican border illegally – not just Mexicans. Communist China. Iran.

Romney asked - What cabinent would you keep? A: Entire new team.

Gilmore – I ran as conservative. I governed as conservative. I’m consistent and don’t flip and flop.

Ron Paul – We should NEVER interfere with internet. I always voted against regulating the internet. I trust the Internet a LOT more than mainstream media.

Mike Huckabee (Cronyism) – As president, we need to make it clear that we not going to continute to see jobs shipped overseas, and watch as CEO takes 100 million bonus to take jobs somewhere else and take pensions as well. We don’t stop it, we don’t deserve to win in 2008.

National ID Card
Rudy – support it, with immigration. Database, tamperproof. Foreigners
Romney – Agree with Rudy. Aliens, not citizens
Brownback – Don’t need to go this way. Secure borders and interior – Social Security number must mean something. Don’t need new system.
McCain – Support it if they want to work.
Paul – Absolutely opposed to national ID card. Contridiction to free society. Do not need it.
Tancredo – Do not need one for same reasons Dr Paul said.
Thompson – No national id.

Scooter libby pardon
Romney – don’t make decision until judiciary process. Fitzgerald.
Brownback – Let process go. (undecided) Not law that was violated
Huckabee – I was prosecutor. Law applies to discretion. Go to people and make case. Can’t make case, don’t do it.
Most others - no
Tancredo – Pardon him, and pardon Ramos and Camprien (Border Patrol)

Terri Schiavo Case:
Romney – Usually family decides. Courts decides. Florida did right thing, but Congress needed to stay out.
Brownback – Right decision. Life is sacred, stand for it in all circumstances.
McCain – We acted too hastily.
Rudy – Court decision. Family in dispute. Courts are for that.

On Clinton
Ron Paul - I voted to Impeach him

Overall:

The format sucked. Some of the candidates had a lot more facetime than others. All candidates IMO should have had the same questions. That is my biggest problem with this. The other problem was some of the questions were BS and fluff. Why ask 10 republican candidates about the Clintons? Right now we have a primary. I don’t want to know what Jim Gilmore thinks about Clinton. I want to know what Jim Gilmore thinks about policy.

The candidates were mostly cautious and my opinion of most of them did not change based on this. One thing I DID like about this was the lesser known candidates being allowed to participate. Ron Paul, Tom Tancredo, Duncan Hunter, Tommy Thompson, Sam Brownback, Jim Gilmore, and Mike Huckabee all bring something to the table and are running as well. It was good to see some of the “choice c” candidates involved to some degree.

If I had to pick a “winner” based on the limited format, I’d have to go with Mike Huckabee. I am more open to his candidacy than I was beforehand. I still have a lot of fiscal concerns with him, particularly on his record on taxes, but I’m more open to supporting him than before.

I liked Tommy Thompson's answer on Iraq, Huckabee's on Rumsfeld and Scooter Libby, Ron Paul on the National ID, Internet, and nationbuilding, Tancredo on Fairtax and Karl Rove, McCain on Pork, Romney on Stem Cell, and Duncan Hunter on trade.

I’m still undecided however, and will be for the foreseeable future.

Rudy flips on guns?

I caught this small blurb in the Manchester Union Leader.

Giuliani supports the Second Amendment, and he said there should be no additions to current federal firearms controls. "There should only be restrictions (on the right-to-bear arms) that are constitutionally reasonable and that should be largely determined on a state-by-state basis." He said current federal restrictions strike an "adequate" balance

I find his stance hard to believe. If he was simply enforcing NYC gun laws as mayor, that's one thing. However, he initiated frivolous lawsuits against firearms manufacturers. That's unacceptable and then some.

He's going to have a show a lot more than this to gain the trust of gun owners.

Note to Rudy - The 2nd amendment has NOTHING to do with hunting

If there is one thing that irks me about politicians, it is those who claim that the 2nd amendment is about hunting or that they are pro-2nd Amendment, and go on some BS hunting trip like John Kerry did (and he didn't even do that right). While I am supportive of hunting, as well as a hunter myself, it has nothing to do with the 2nd amendment.

From the AP

Rudy Giuliani addressed a potentially troublesome issue with conservative voters, saying his policies as mayor to get handguns off the street helped reduce crime in New York.

"I used gun control as mayor," he said at a news conference Saturday during a swing through California. But "I understand the Second Amendment. I understand the right to bear arms."

He said what he did as mayor would have no effect on hunting.

Rudy (who should know better as an attorney) either doesn't understand the 2nd amendment or is playing from the DLC's gun grabbing playbook in an attept to split "Elmer Fudds" (hunters who support gun grabs and think their guns are safe - after their ammo was targeted for a ban) and other gun owners.

My biggest 2a problem with Rudy is the fact that he tried to bankrupt firearm manufacturers as mayor by litigation. That loses any chance of my vote. This gamesmanship just reinforces it. If Rudy said that he was representing New Yorkers (who are overall very anti 2nd amendment) as mayor and said he would not support any new gun laws as Americans as a whole disagree with New Yorkers on this issue, I could respect that as opposed to this gamesmanship. With "support" like Rudy's, gun owners do not need opposition.