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Rudy Giuliani’s Dubious LeadershipPosted on Apr 12, 2007By Joe Conason Before Rudolph W. Giuliani started to run for president, he specialized in writing books and delivering inspirational lectures on the topic of “leadership,” which is the theme for his campaign. He is telling America that in a time of war and terror, he is the leader we need. And he seems to be saying that the determination of “the leader” matters more than where the leader wants to take us or whether he knows where he is going. If that sounds like the same primitive mind-set behind our current disaster, then consider yourself forewarned. Giuliani is a fervent admirer of George W. Bush—whose election he considers a result of “divine guidance”—and a dauntless supporter of the war in Iraq, which resulted from exactly the kind of leadership he advocates. Despite that highly unpopular position, the former New York City mayor leads the Republican presidential field in many polls. Much of the Giuliani appeal is based on his admirable performance in the immediate aftermath of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. He has profited personally and politically from the real leadership he provided then. But his ambitions demand a dispassionate examination of his ideas and his record. Giuliani’s fundamental argument is that 9/11 endowed him with special qualifications for the job he is seeking. “What they say in Washington is not going to affect the fact that there are terrorists around the world that are planning to come here and kill us,” he told voters in Iowa. “It is something I understand better than anyone else running for president.” What exactly does he mean? If he is suggesting that he should be trusted to make critical judgments about national security and foreign policy, there is plenty of contrary evidence. Advertisement Against the advice of real experts, he stubbornly insisted on placing his immensely expensive emergency command center in a World Trade Center building, although terrorists had struck there already and were determined to do so again. The command center went down with the rest of Ground Zero, leaving the mayor and his aides to wander downtown as the buildings fell. Their frantic efforts to cope with the disaster were lethally hindered by faulty communications equipment purchased by the Giuliani administration—also against the advice of experts who knew better. Such fateful errors are more troubling when viewed against the backdrop of political and financial influences that probably distorted the decision-making process. Yet while Giuliani is often wrong, he is never uncertain. That same attitude prevailed in his promotion of the dubious Bernard Kerik to police commissioner. By the time Giuliani appointed him to head the New York Police Department in 2000, evidence of Kerik’s ties with a mob-connected construction company had emerged in a background investigation. Kerik had obtained jobs for his brother and his best friend with that company, and interceded with city authorities on the firm’s behalf. Moreover, federal prosecutors had indicted Kerik’s friend, Lawrence Ray, along with a reputed Gambino crime-family figure. In testimony before a Bronx grand jury investigating Kerik last year, Giuliani didn’t deny that he had been briefed on those issues before promoting his former bodyguard to the office of police commissioner. But he insisted that he didn’t remember that briefing—and noted that his investigators had “cleared” Kerik. No doubt Giuliani’s dim recall allowed him to enthusiastically recommend Kerik to President Bush as a suitable candidate for secretary of Homeland Security in late 2004. That ruinous choice was averted only because New York newspapers published timely exposes of Kerik’s embarrassing past. Giuliani now says he “assumed responsibility” for the “mistake” of recommending his old friend and business partner. There is a persistent flaw in Giuliani that makes such errors inevitable. He promoted Kerik because he preferred the loyal sycophant to William Bratton, the smart, independent and competent police commissioner whom he had fired. He ignored the threat of terrorism until it was too late, and arrogantly rejected the advice of those who knew more than he did. Over the past six years, this brand of leadership has become all too familiar. We don’t need it anymore. In fact, we never did. Joe Conason writes for the New York Observer © 2007 Creators Syndicate Inc. Elsewhere: . CommentsAre you a Truthdig member yet? Login now, or register with Truthdig. Add Your Comment
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By Beau Alford, April 18, 2007 at 2:06 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
Let all go smoke some dope and live in a fantasy world….. Whos got the roach clips !!!!!
Report thisBy Tom Doff, April 14, 2007 at 12:15 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
Giuliani/Kerik, that’s the ticket!
If we formally align the Pols and the Mafia, we may have a chance of tossing AIPAC and the non-jew neocon cabals out on their asses, which would be the most beneficial thing imaginable for our nation at this time.
And just imagine, a future with honest corruption, direct, public-supported assassinations, more equitable distribution of wealth, and the interests of the US mob put before the interests of any foreign gang.
Could a more-perfect paradise be in the cards for us?
Report thisBy cann4ing, April 13, 2007 at 11:21 pm #
Re comment #Kol Klink. You can retrieve more details of Giuliani’s grand jury testimony revealing that he had been briefed on Bernard Kerik’s association with a company with ties to organized crime “before” Giuliani appointed Kerik commissioner of the NYPD from articles in the New York Times. Also, the Washington Post recently reported that federal prosecutors told Kerik that he is likely to be charged with several felonies including tax evasion and conspiracy to commit wiretapping.
Then again, if it is continuity our nation seeks, Giuliani/Kerik would make the ideal replacement for the pair of gansters occupying the White House.
Report thisBy Kol Klink, April 13, 2007 at 5:07 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
Nice article Joe. I would like to add a little more info about Bernard Kerik. Bush appointed him minister of the interior of Iraq in May 2003. While in that position he purchased new weapons for the Iraqi police over the objections of many Iraqi PMs who were stating, correctly, that mountains of weapons were available in Iraq from the former regime of Saddam. Kerik insisted on ordering new weapons - 20,000 AK 47s, 50,000 handguns and 10,000,000 rounds of ammo.
Report thisAfter Kerik’s departure he was called ‘ignorant, arrogant and undisciplined’ in the book ‘Emerald Paradise.’
And Bush probably told him ‘Your doin a heckofa job, Bernie.’
By thomas, April 13, 2007 at 2:11 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
anybody can speculate. morons
Report thisBy Jon, April 13, 2007 at 2:19 am #
That comment about Bush and his buddy and the animals is disturbing, I’m not kidding, I did not Know that. As far as Gulliani goes, it is disturbing to learn that he does not listen to others, even if they know what they are talking about. Sounds familiar. We need a President who can listen and make smart decisions. Wow, what a concept, listen to others, gather information make smart decisions, good leadership?
Report thisBy 911truthdotorg, April 13, 2007 at 12:10 am #
Why thank you Ernest for correcting my statement about Rudy’s comment.
I was going from memory and typing during a very short break.
Now everyone has it straight!
Thanks again!
Google video: 9/11 Press for Truth
Report thisBy cann4ing, April 12, 2007 at 8:55 pm #
Re comment #63588 by 911truthdotorg. The interview of Mr. Giuliani you speak of was conducted by Peter Jennings on Sept. 11, 2001. It is available at http://www.prisonplanet.com/articles/april2005/090405 gotwarning.htm. Mr. Giuliani told Mr. Jennings: “I went down to the scene and we set up headquarters at 75 Barclay Street which was right there with the police commissioner, the fire commissioner and the head of Emergency Management and we were operating out of there when we were told that the World Trade Center was going to collapse in 10-15 minutes and finally found an exit and got out, walked north and took a lot of people with us.”
Query: Does “we were told that the World Trade Center was going to collapse” refer to WTC 7 as your comment suggests, or to the twin towers (Bldgs. 1 & 2)?
Report thisBy Michael Boldin, April 12, 2007 at 8:38 pm #
I’ve read some interesting things about Rudy, and I’m definitely no fan of this potential neo-con tyrant.
This article touched on a number of issues that I haven’t seen too many other places (well at least in the major media)
http://www.populistamerica.com/giuliani_vs_the_firefighters
Report thisBy 911truthdotorg, April 12, 2007 at 4:30 pm #
Giuliani knew that the 47 story WTC7 bldg, which held his emergency offices, and many other high profile offices holding paperwork for some very high profile corporate investigations, was going to collapse. By the way, it wasn’t hit by a plane.
In a radio interview (ABC radio, I believe) he said that he was told to leave that bldg long before it collapsed. Google it.
Several hours later the bldg collapsed in a textbook controlled demolition in its own footprint.
I wonder why he didn’t, and doesn’t, question why he was told to leave WTC7?? Was he involved?
Maybe he was so calm that day because it wasn’t a shock to him. Maybe he’d rehearsed his “performance”.
Why doesn’t every reporter he runs into ask him these questions every single day?
And now he’s running to be our President.
God help this country.
Google video: 9/11 Press for Truth
Report thisBy Valley, April 12, 2007 at 3:14 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
Our world has since 9/11 become one of subterfuge and increasing fear. The Bush Administration clearly lied to the American public about the reasons for going to war. Since the declaration that weapons of mass destruction were located in Iraq, none have been found. A catastrophic waste of money, and the American people were betrayed. Fundamentally, we as a country, are a nation of rebels, fighting dearly for what matters most to us. But, in a war where there is no distinct enemy, we cannot battle in the same way. There is no military solution to a battle which must be waged on a humanitarian front. As Americans, we need a leader who will recognize that war is not the salve to put on the wound that was created when 3,000 Americans died in New York. Poverty creates the terrorists and militants that continually emerge from the woodwork on a daily basis killing innocent people and our soldiers. In order to fight the war on terror, we need America to take off the war paint and put on our gloves. If we eliminate, through humanitarian efforts, the grounds for terrorism; our world can return be a safer place for all to live . The war needs to fought in a new way, and that we won’t stand for losing another Iraqi child’s life or another brave American soldier. Not one more. End it now. There is another way to win.
Report thisBy SuGee, April 12, 2007 at 2:52 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
I’m sorry, but I’m a little tired of being a war criminal, aren’t you? Let’s face it. Mr. Giuliani represents everything that both AIPAC and GWB recommend. This war IS illegal. The first excuse, stated on March 16, 2003, “Weapons of Mass Destruction” cough, cough cough, choke,choke, choke, spit, spit spit.” was a lie, as is We have to attack Iraq because of 911/Iraq is Al Queda, and the latest one about how “we’re bringing them democracy”. By the way, he never got permission to attack Iraq to bring them democracy. The president is a serial killer. Check out his childhood, he loved to abuse (kill) small animals with his adolescent friend, Mr. Throckmorton, as stated in a 2004 editorial in the NY Times. On March 21, 2003, a saturday, GWB appeared on the TV and stated that, “We’re all sinners!” Who does he actually think he is?; Jimmy Swaggert?
Giuliani is just like Liebermann that both of them promote the lies of their leader(s). I just heard on “Democracy Now!” that the total cost of this continous war is over $600,000,000,000,000.00 Like I said, George W. Bush is a serial killer and “Unka Dicky” is also an alcoholic that can’t seem to stop killing for the almighty oil dollar.
Report thisBy Rodney, April 12, 2007 at 1:21 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
Rudy is almost as bad as Bush. He benefited by being mayor on 9-11.
Report thisBy autumn, April 12, 2007 at 11:43 am #
(Unregistered commenter)
Why has no one investigated or even mentioned that all of the steel from the WTC building was shipped out to other countries soon after being reclaimed from the WTC site? Is that not a huge illegal act. I don’t understand why no one has investigated how long before 9/11 the deal was made to ship out the steel to overseas bidders.
We have recycling in this country, do we not? Why was the steel not send to a recycler in this country? Maybe, it was to destroy the evidence! It appalls me that Giuliani was part of the WTC cover-up and no one questions his patriotism. Why was Giuliani not in his bunker at WTC7 on 9/11? He could not be found there. How did Giuliani know that WTC7 (which held SEC investigations and evidence on Enron and others and maybe was the command center) was going to come down? Why did BBC report the WTC7 had already fallen at 4:57, while during the report the building is clearly atanding in the background and did not fall until 5:20 pm. Clearly, everyone is afraid of this administration and yet they were re-elected in 2004. Guess they really pulled the wool over everyone’s eyes and continues to get away with it.
Report thisBy TC, April 12, 2007 at 9:38 am #
Dimslow’s leadership beats Giuliani’s any day (Dimslow in ‘08):
I, John Doe Dimslow, called the police. Sometimes you have to. I called the police on the President of the United States. I called the police when President Bush invaded Iraq. That was illegal. I called the police when President Clinton bombed Iraq, and elsewhere all illegal under international law, not least. I asked the police, Arent you going to do something about it? Even if breaking laws is nothing new for presidents.
And what did the police say down in Dimslow Hollow?
Sir, thats a bit outside our jurisdiction.
Just what they always say….
Report thishttp://apragmaticpolicy.wordpress.com/2007/04/12/dimslow-calls-the-cops/
By Quy Tran, April 12, 2007 at 8:22 am #
(Unregistered commenter)
He should writea book to teach his supporters and voters how to betray their wifes and how to steal offical monies to please their mistresses.
If GOP picked him this party will surely go into dead end channel with lots of dirty programs ahead.
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