Giuliani: running on 9/11 and Clinton hatred

Well, although I long ago counted out Rudy as a viable GOP candidate, because the fundies will never stand for a pro-choice, pro-gay nominee, he’s certainly playing his formula to the hilt.

Campaigning in the South, Giuliani routinely jokes about the scarcity of Republicans in New York City, depicting it as crime-ridden before he took office, part of his argument that, while some GOP voters may disagree with his ideas, it is hard to argue with his results.

At a crowded ice cream parlor in conservative Greenville, Giuliani told reporters he is polling stronger among conservatives than any of the other candidates and marveled at the “big surprise” his performance in the state is providing. Several surveys in the state have shown the former mayor first or just behind former senator Fred D. Thompson (Tenn.).

In Rock Hill, Giuliani skipped discussion of moral issues, instead stressing that “from California to New York . . . the things that hold us together as a party are a strong national defense and a strong national economy.”

Giuliani also gleefully took up one of his favorite tactics on the campaign trail: Hillary Clinton-bashing, which he has essentially made the third plank of his brand of conservatism in lieu of orthodoxy on social issues.

In the middle of his speech, Giuliani reached into his pocket, declaring to the crowd, “I have been keeping a list: This is my Hillary list.”

Without actually consulting the sheet, Giuliani eagerly reeled off and ridiculed proposals the Democratic front-runner offered this week as she sought to focus on the middle class, including a tax credit for parents paying college tuition and matching the first $1,000 Americans put in 401(k) plans.

He then turned to a proposal Clinton floated late last month, modeled on a program in Britain, in which children would be given $5,000 at birth that they could spend when they are older, which some advocates tout as an anti-poverty program.

“Remember the Hillary baby bonds,” Giuliani said, laughing at the notion. “We pointed out in strong terms how irresponsible this was. . . . She gave them up in three or four days.”

Clinton has said the bonds were not a specific proposal she was offering. But while all the Republican contenders use Clinton as a punching bag, Giuliani is unmatched in his focus on his home-state rival.

So, now Rudy’s mixing in some Hillary hate with his 9/11 references. It’s just a shame to me that he’s able to capitalize on 9/11 when he didn’t do a single fucking thing of note in the aftermath of that tragedy. Can anyone tell me one thing he did that justifies his candidacy for president? Please – I’d be thrilled to have more background …

But, even with his purported national security creds, Rudy’s still going to have trouble with the fundies:

Giuliani still has some work to do. Some social conservatives are still wary of the party’s front-runner.

“From a fiscal perspective, he’s done fine, but from the social side I have problems with him,” said Randy Page, a GOP activist who is on the board of the Palmetto Family Council, a major conservative group in South Carolina. “I would be very uncomfortable with him” as the nominee.

And the batshit crazies in the Religious Right are only beginning their onslaught. By the time they get to Philadelphia next summer for the 2008 GOP Circle Jerk Convention, they’ll have their attacks honed to precision. Count on it.

Drunky’s excellent Florida adventure

It turns out Miami wasn’t the only stop on Drunky McStagger’s itinerary in America’s Wang™ yesterday. He previously swung through Pinellas Park for a fundraiser lunch. And the crowds (left, giving the customary “Sieg Heil” salute) adored him … undoubtedly most of the dissenting voices were summarily executed filtered out before he ever arrived.

President Bush made a quick stop in town Friday to raise money at a private Republican fundraiser in Pinellas Park.

Air Force One touched down about 9:45 a.m. A few minutes later a smiling Bush emerged with his signature wave. He stopped to shake hands with a few local supporters and thanked a nervous hospice volunteer for giving her time to the dying.

“I was very nervous,” said Brenda Corace Guinand, 27, a longtime volunteer with the Hospice of Florida Suncoast. “He was very personal and very cordial.”

Bush gave Guinand a small blue box holding a pin for receiving the president’s volunteer service award. She gave him her hospice pin.

“It lasted one minute, but it will be something I’ll remember forever,” she said.

And Drunky will remember it for … well, he doesn’t remember now, I’m sure. It’s probably just another comma to him.

But was this typo in the article intentional?

The $25,000-a-meal luncheon lasted about 90 minutes and raised $1-million for the Republic [sic] National Committee.

*snicker*

Finally, here’s what you got for your $25 large:

Bush left the airport in a black limousine, part of a 20-car motorcade of staff, security, media and emergency personnel. Along the route, people had gathered to wave, snap pictures and hold signs with messages like “Enough is Enough” and “We love you.”

Outside [developer Brent] Sembler['s] Tuscany-style home at the end of a lakeside cul de sac, the president waved to the developer’s neighbor Marty Kehoe, 51, and his family, before disappearing inside.

Kehoe, a general contractor, said Sembler apologized for the hassle. “I told him, don’t apologize. You should just be so honored.”

The meal, catered by Michael’s on East in Sarasota, included salad served in a hollowed orange, macadamia-encrusted Chilean sea bass, whipped sweet potatoes and cauliflowers, and broccoli with roasted peppers.

Afterward, Mrs. Sembler said she couldn’t really dish about the presidential luncheon. “I’m supposed to tell you to call the White House or the RNC,” she said. “I’m sorry.”

There was no word on what the Royal Taster thought of the meal.

UPDATE (3:18 pm 10/14/07): Hey, this is interesting. I got a hit from http://webmail.sembler.com, with a Dunedin, Florida location given. That could include northern St. Petersburg or in that area … maybe Brent or someone in his family stopped by Blast Off!?

Well, if you’re a Sembler (or, should I say, a dis-Sembler?), thanks for visiting … and I hope you enjoy the waning moments of the Bush crime syndicate. Way to spend your money wisely — on an incompetent, incoherent dry drunk who is the very personification of the Peter Principle. Thanks for ruining America, assholes. And thanks for guaranteeing a Democratic majority in Congress and in the White House for at least the next 20 years.