He could carry California
Giuliani Strikes a Note With California GOP
Testing the Waters, Former N.Y. Mayor Garners 4 Ovations
By John Pomfret
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, February 11, 2007; A07
SACRAMENTO, Feb. 10 -- Rudolph W. Giuliani came west to learn whether his brand of Republican politics has a chance among party members significantly more conservative than himself. By the time he had received a fourth standing ovation Saturday at the California Republican Party convention, the answer seemed clear.
Equating the U.S. fight against terrorism with the Civil War and the Cold War, Giuliani told about 750 of his party's faithful that failure in Iraq would turn that country into a "massive headquarters for terrorism."
"Having had a job where I didn't have any choice but to make a decision," the former mayor of New York said, "prepares you as best you can be prepared to be the president of the United States."
Asked in a subsequent news conference when he would formally announce his candidacy for president, Giuliani quipped: "If you go back to my speech, I think you'll find one. We'll figure out how to do it in five places so we'll get more attention."
As mayor during the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, Giuliani gained worldwide recognition for his leadership in the face of a tragic disaster, propelling the former federal prosecutor onto the national political stage. Giuliani leads the polls in the race for the Republican nomination.
Nevertheless, the Brooklyn-born son of an ex-convict has significant obstacles in his quest to become president.
He has been in the private sector for six years; he still supports the war while the rest of the country is shifting against it; he would be only the second Roman Catholic to win the White House; and his social views -- he is pro-choice, pro-gun-control and pro-gay-rights -- are at odds with those of much of his party.
Still, Giuliani's sometimes meandering, 45-minute speech was received warmly by party enthusiasts, a marked contrast to the tepid response they gave Friday night to their own Republican governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Giuliani called for a broadening of the war on terrorism into a war of ideology similar to the ideological battle of the Cold War between the West and the Soviet Union.
"A much bigger part is about ideas," he said, and "the hearts and minds of people. We've got to get better at selling our life, our economy."
Giuliani, 62, did not shy away from the controversial positions that have put him at loggerheads with some party faithful. He praised President Bush numerous times, at one point seemingly comparing him to Abraham Lincoln. In the news conference, Giuliani said the United States is "very, very fortunate" to have Bush as president, crediting his decision to consider preemptive strikes against potential enemies as "very, very brave."
"I believe that President Bush has a very, very strong place in history," Giuliani said.
Giuliani also waded into the issue of illegal immigration. Many California Republicans consider it one of the nation's most important issues, and a significant portion do not support any program to grant citizenship to long-term illegal residents. Giuliani, however, said that he supports plans to "allow people to earn status" and that he wants to create a way for U.S. industries to find workers.
Many in the audience said they are aware of the gaps between their views and Giuliani's. Nonetheless, several who were interviewed seemed willing to give him a break.
"I'm a Christian, and his views on a lot of social issues are to the left of mine," said Larry Stirling, a retired state superior court judge from San Diego. "But if you have to make a trade-off, I'll make the trade-off for Giuliani. He's been through a trial by fire. He's got gravitas. The first thing a president has to do is protect us. The rest is a secondary consideration."
Giuliani's speech "hit the right tone and the right messages," said Kevin C. Eckery, a Sacramento-based Republican political consultant. "He managed to be true to himself and connect with an audience that is more conservative than he is. It shows he can do it."
California could play a critical role in Giuliani's strategy for winning the nomination. In the past, the GOP nomination was wrapped up before California. But the state legislature is considering a measure to change the primary to Feb. 5, shortly after contests in Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina.
"California's Republicans are conservative, but not as conservative as Iowans or those in South Carolina," said Allan Hoffenblum, a Los Angeles-based Republican political strategist. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), another GOP front-runner, might be a closer ideological fit for California Republicans than Giuliani, but, Hoffenblum said, "some of them just don't like him."
"Giuliani is by no means a shoo-in," Hoffenblum said, "but if a streak of pragmatism hits traditionally conservative voters, he's got a chance." |
