That’s NYC. Rudy would have a different constituency nationally along with a different mandate. I’ve said above that Rudy isn’t my top choice. I have reservations about him, but you want a pit bull on a crime issue? Open the cage and let him out.

Agreed. As much as I hate to say it, Rudy actually did make government work about as well as government can (which is still pretty crappy).

I have reservations about Rudy, but not because of this 2001 immigration video or newspaper quote. I don’t like that Rudy is less libertarian than I am. But then again, so is most of America. At least he’s not Huckabee.

If he felt strongly about enforcing immigration, he would have taken a stand. He didn’t.

I think you are right. Given New York’s marketplace mindset, history of immigration, ethnic diversity, plummeting crime rate, and very vibrant economy, most people in New York City work along side people who are not citizens and don’t have a problem with it. From a local standpoint it hasn’t been a day-to-day economic crisis in NYC during the past 15 years.

That’s NYC. Rudy would have a different constituency nationally along with a different mandate. I’ve said above that Rudy isn’t my top choice. I have reservations about him, but you want a pit bull on a crime issue? Open the cage and let him out.

because of the different powers and responsibilities between a big city mayor and POTUS.

Yup.

I think Rudy’s immigration position is reasonable. In 2001, Rudy represented the people of New York City. Those people probably favored the immigration position Rudy articulated. Also, the Feds have exclusive jurisdiction over immigration issues.

With all of that said, I still don’t trust Rudy on immigration. If he felt strongly about enforcing immigration, he would have taken a stand. He didn’t.

I wish he’d held a harder stance, but the feds weren’t deporting and he had major crime issues to handle. Sort of like picking your battles. Of course, he’s open to criticism, rightly so, now that he’s running for Prez and 9/11 has happened.

amerpundit on December 14, 2007 at 9:48 AM

Had he said that–”we have to be practical and pick our battles”–that would be fine. But he said, it’s a good thing illegals are here.

I don’t think it is.

Now if Rudy were elected President (or had been a Senator in the 90′s) then he would have been in a position to propose legislation to enforce the boarder or deport illegals, etc. The point dedalus is trying to make is that you can divine something about his personality, managerial style, and overall effectiveness from looking at his record in NYC — but not necessarily his actions or policy positions, because of the different powers and responsibilities between a big city mayor and POTUS.

He makes his case of why he should be the president based on what? What he did in new York. So anyone would draw a very logical conclusion from that.

I was here in NYC on 9/11 and think his leadership was exemplary, still I don’t think managing through that period is sufficient preparation for the presidency. I’d like to have seen him do something other than give speeches since Jan 2002.

There is a lot to learn about his character (good & bad) by reviewing his 8 year in NYC, but it would be wrong to think he’d have exactly the same priorities and strategy.

Should be obvious, but critics of Rudy try to translate his blueprint for NYC into a forecast for what he’d do as POTUS.

dedalus on December 14, 2007 at 11:39 AM

Well it is Rudy that talks only about New York and his mayorship(is that a word) of it. He makes his case of why he should be the president based on what? What he did in new York. So anyone would draw a very logical conclusion from that.

dedalus on December 14, 2007 at 11:39 AM

So you agree that this argument is doltish?

NYC is not the rest of America is stupifyingly obvious

Should be obvious, but critics of Rudy try to translate his blueprint for NYC into a forecast for what he’d do as POTUS.

sweeper on December 14, 2007 at 10:29 AM

He has held the lead for quite sometime. If Rudy just dropped in the polls it only adds to the credibility of my analysis.

A mind is a terrible thing to change. That’s why Rudy decided to double his base by turning himself into two candidates at once.

Maybe this is the age of the political multiple personality and a presidential race has become like “Sybil,” only way longer than any mini-series. Maybe Rudy is on to something. After all, you can’t be seen as flip-flopping if you’re always of two minds.

ThackerAgency on December 14, 2007 at 10:40 AM

I agree that rest of America is and should be different than NY. Rudy was mayor of NY in the 90′s and had to run that particular city. He brought with him as much conservative policy as the city could handle, especially in welfare reform and crime fighting. He couldn’t and wouldn’t change its immigrant culture.

I agree on Chris Paul. I think the Canadian guy on the Suns is still the best, but Paul is ready wrest the point guard mantle from Nash and Kidd. It’d be great to have Paul on the Knicks, who have a pouty point guard on the court and a crazy old point guard as coach.

ThackerAgency on December 14, 2007 at 10:40 AM

Yes CP3 is awesome but I personally like him right where he is. If he would go to the Knicks, I would not get to see his talent. :)

I don’t dislike New York. I have had a wonderful time there every time I have gone there. Actually I am disappointed that the Knicks aren’t doing any better. I will recommend that the greatest basketball player in the NBA go to NY next year to revive the team (Chris Paul – New Orleans Hornets).

The issue is whether or not we want the President to run the country the way New York is run. I don’t think that that would make people in North Dakota or Texas or Colorado feel very good. Rudy is born, raised, and lived in New York. His understanding of the rest of the country is poor. That’s why he wouldn’t make a very good President.

This is why non-New Yorkers don’t understand why he is so quick to point out his record while Mayor in NYC. NYC isn’t America – not even close.

I agree. I’m not supporting Rudy. I also believe that he hasn’t done the work over the past 6 years to prepare for the Presidency. Maybe if he took the Homeland Security position instead of recommending “Bad News Bernie”.

And McCain, while better than any Dem gives me pause due to his Immigration and McCain/Feingold background.

sweeper on December 14, 2007 at 10:27 AM

McC was doing his best to appease the global warming crowd. You just know the goracle was smiling. (shudder)

loving the fact he can hear a dozen different languages in New York “Hey I do not have to travel to visit a foreign country!”

Hey Rudy that is the problem! We only want people to immigrate here that want to be American. Illegal aliens do not want to be American, comprendes?

Rudy’s grandparents immigrated from Italy, and he speaks some Italian. When you walk through Manhattan you can go from block-to-block where the languages change, the signs change and the menus change.

A lot of Americans come to New York City for the variety that it contains. You either love it or hate it, but Rudy was born here, he ran the city, and believes in it. You don’t have to like NYC, but many many people do.