The Trouble With Rudy

Do you really think they want to win the 2008 election?

That's one of the best questions. When Hillary is the big money exit strategy why not keep the illusion of difference and push the status quo as a change? I love Tom Paine btw lauhal, great seed, thanks.

Rudy is the most appealing candidate for the Republicans but I think he's an incredibly dangerous pick for them. It could play out one of two ways:

1) The religious right can't bring themselves to support Rudy. They find a third party candidate to support and he steals 10-15% of the vote away from Rudy, erasing any gains he would make with independent/undecided voters.

2) Rudy makes a run for the right and flip flops on abortion & gay rights. He loses his credibility among independent/undecideds and never fully enjoys the support of the right. Say what you will about the religious right -- they're not suckers. They won't truly accept Rudy even if he does his best GWB impression. (a lesson McCain is now learning)

That's why I think he can't win the nomination. He'll do well -- perhaps he'll even be VP, but he won't be on top of the ticket. He's too much of an X-Factor.

Yes, Shadybird - I'm very much on the fence with this one. I have to wonder if Rudy's more progressive social stance is going to be seen as the "Republicanism of the Future", or if it will just be discounted as the result of him being a "New York Republican". It is my sincere hope that he does in the nomination - I believe we can get a lot accomplished as a country if the right (and left) move towards center on a few issues. However I am skeptical as well. The right's unwavering support for conservatism on social issues (based often on religion) is a big part of what characterizes the right as "the right".

See I too think the Corporation party has picked Hillary to be their candidate this go aground.
"Meet the new boss same as the old boss"

I agree with the Rudy criticism but Hillary is not one bit better. Hillary has only picked up the issue now that it's a good campaign point. For six years she has been AWOL when it comes to helping.

Here's where the money went and Hillary is getting some back now for her campaign.

According to a Goldman Sachs press release, Clinton declared, "Following the tragic events of September 11, I was proud to have worked with my colleagues in Congress to secure $20 billion in federal aid for New York. Major employers like Goldman Sachs needed to know they had a partner in government to ensure that Lower Manhattan could sustain their business in the area."

And this was not the end of the government's benevolence toward Goldman Sachs. According to New York City's Independent Budget Office, the company also saved a whopping $9 million in interest payments when it received a $1.65 billion "Liberty Bond," a federally funded, tax-exempt, private activity bond program made available to New York after September 11.2

And lots of the SBA money went to franchise operations around the country, especially a lot of Dunkin Donuts, guess why.