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November 05, 2007
Kerik As Proxy
Like the current occupant of the White House, 2008 Republican presidential hopeful Rudy Giuliani places a high value on loyalty. For example, last week ABC News revealed that Giuliani continues to employ Monsignor Alan Placa, a Catholic priest, despite Placa being accused of child molestation. Though the charges were leveled against Placa five years ago by several now adult men, Rudy defended his relationship with the former priest just last week at a campaign stop in Milwaukee.
Today, Giuliani took up for another embattled friend, his former NYC Police Chief Bernard Kerik. Kerik is under felony investigation by the feds, and stands a good chance of being indicted in the near future. But Rudy defended Kerik today before a New Hampshire audience, telling the Manchester crowd that while there were "mistakes made" with Bernie, that if a Giuliani presidency could have the "same degree of success and failure... this country will be in great shape."
As puzzling as Rudy's public defense of these troubled associates may seem, we wonder if he isn't using their examples to indirectly make a case about himself. Giuliani's saying, these guys have warts (just like me), but they (and I) are worth it. In other words, so what if I'm a serial liar, filanderer, and quite possibly corrupt, I'll get the terrorists. (In the same speech today Rudy refused to rule out torture as an interrogation technique.)
It is an interesting argument, but the jury's out on how effective it will be with voters. A recent focus group of Virginia Republican voters does not augur well for Giuliani. The more folks get to know Rudy, the less they like him. Hey, just ask New Yorkers.
Posted by houtopia at November 5, 2007 09:59 PM