Say Anything Blog

A fellow alumnus once wrote that “The only true measure of another man’s genius lies in how much he agrees with you.” This pithy quote was brought forcefully to mind yesterday when I found this piece by James Lileks:

James Lileks: Don’t underestimate Giuliani
By JAMES LILEKS
c.2007 Newhouse News Service

Rudy Giuliani is in. Suggested campaign slogan: “He dealt with Brooklyn. He can handle Baghdad.’’ He’s not a sure thing; he has enough baggage to fill the cargo hold of a cruise ship. His sundry personal-life issues bother social conservatives; the gun control stance dismays the Second Amendment wing of the party; the pro-choice opinions alarm the evangelicals. That leaves about 47 Republicans, right? After all, it’s just a party of cousin-marrying yahoos who’d sooner shoot up Planned Parenthood than vote for one of those fish-on-Friday types. Right?

No. Voters are more flexible and forgiving than you might expect. And none of the objections obscure the central appeal of the Rudy candidacy: He’ll nuke ‘em if he has to. That won’t be the central theme of his campaign, of course, but it’s the unstated strength of his candidacy. He’s not a wuss. Look at the rest of the field:

I pretty much agree.  I don’t like a lot of his policy positions.  But… He’s serious, he’s capable, and he has already comitted to judges of the strict Constitutionalist variety.

Mitt Romney. He’s a heavy fave, but the M-word makes his support in the evangelical community unsure. Many will vote for him, since he’s an all-around moral guy, and no one wants a public debate over doctrinal differences. Other evangelicals regard his faith as something between David Koresh and Scientology, and would rather vote for Joe Lieberman. (Him you could convert!) Romney has an abortion flip-flop to confront, which softens his support as well. He’s a solid candidate thus far because he’s, well, solid: He appears hewn from the Presidential Quarry.

On the other hand, he could be a genial cyborg from an invading race. Wouldn’t exactly surprise anyone.

His Mormonism is not an issue for me as far as elected office is concerned (Y’all do remember that little bit about “no religious tests for office” don’t ya?).  But I am rather less certain of his seriousness and capability.  Mark him as a maybe.

Chuck Hagel. Comes in last in most seven-man straw polls. No. 6 is usually “A ham sandwich.’’ The sandwich is pro-choice, too.

Chuck who?

John McCain. Loved within the Beltway for his “maverick’’ ways. Unfortunately, outside the Beltway, “maverick’’ is defined as a tendency to stab the party in the back repeatedly, then expect everyone to pay for the blade to be resharpened. The base admires John McCain as a man; the base honors his service, both in the armed forces and the Senate. The base looks forward to his concession speech.

Amen.  Admire the man, honor his service, and I’m really looking forward to his concessions speach, as he’s the one candidate so far mentioned that I will not under any circumstances vote for.  If Hillary! is the Democratic Nominee, I’ll write in a candidate vice voting for a Clinton or a Rino.

Newt. The right loves Newt, just as the left loves Clinton. Newt’s about six times smarter than Bill Clinton, but lacks the former president’s oleaginous charisma. Could he win? Never. And probably just as well. President Newt would respond to a terrorist attack with a brilliant plan — radical, simple, old wisdom and dazzling new thinking in a brilliant synthesis. Unfortunately, it would involve time travel or orbital space lasers.

The problem with Newt is that his ability as an executive is unproven.  Given the times we live in, that does not speak well for his candidacy.  Not my first choice, but not right out either.

Fred Thompson hasn’t declared, but should. He has been waging a stealth campaign simply by appearing as a guest host for Paul Harvey. He sounds like a man with his boots on the desk and a star on his chest. As a veep, he would make John Edwards look like Peter Pan. For the debate, Edwards might as well show up in green tights.

Run Fred, Run.  Fred Thompson is a man who can return the bully to the bully pulpet.

Who’s on the other side?

No one of substance and character.

Out Here
Rodney Graves
rodney.g.graves@gmail.com