 |
| Photo by David Lat |
Giuliani Has Friends on the Right
By Rosalie LoPinto, 03.01.07
On Sept. 17, 2001, David Letterman returned to his late night show visibly shaken by the events six days prior. Explaining where he found inspiration to carry on, he pointed to one man.
“I'll tell you the reason that I am doing a show and the reason I am back to work is because of Mayor Giuliani,” Letterman said. “All you had to do at any moment was watch the Mayor. Watch how this guy behaved. Watch how this guy conducted himself. Watch what this guy did. Listen to what this guy said. Rudolph Giuliani is the personification of courage.”
Those words captured the feelings of much of New York, the country and even the world. Mayor Giuliani, however, did not have to answer to the same constituents as presidential candidate Giuliani.
Conventional wisdom has dictated that Rudy Giuliani, former mayor of New York City and 9/11 hero, can't possibly win over pro-life, anti-gay rights, Christian conservatives. That conventional wisdom, however, is appearing less dependable as Giuliani is receiving rousing receptions from Republican voters nationwide.
Concerns about national security as well as the possibility that Hillary Clinton will be the Democratic nominee are spearheading the reversal.
Michael Kirby of Utah, who describes himself as a pro-life, born-again Christian, is one conservative who can't be put in a box. Kirby is not a one-issue voter and remains undecided about pro-choice candidate Giuliani.
"It would depend a lot on the burning issues as the election draws close,” Kirby said. “If abortion was a hot item, that might influence my vote.”
Kirby also cited national security and the war in Iraq as ongoing concerns which would warrant consideration when casting his ballot.
Rachel Alberg, an administrative coordinator at Brown University, does not generally vote based on one issue. She believes the problem of unwanted pregnancies is complex and warrants a thoughtful response.
"Of course I'm totally pro-life, but we need to be actively providing alternatives for women who find themselves in these situations,” Alberg said. “We can't just wave signs and not provide solutions."
Though she hasn't studied Giuliani's record yet, she is impressed with what she knows so far.
"I would like to know where he stands on a variety of issues before I make my decision," Alberg said. "I liked the compassion I saw in him in the days after 9/11."
Vilma Salvatore, a Providence, R.I., teacher and Christian, likes Giuliani. In her opinion, one concern trumps all others.
"Anybody but Hillary Clinton," Salvatore said.
Being anti-Hillary seems like a prevailing sentiment, even among pro-life people who are wary of a pro-choice candidate. Edith Nanfuma, a registered nurse from Norwood, Mass., is reluctant to support Giuliani because of his pro-choice position and his stance on domestic partnerships in lieu of gay marriage. However, when asked to choose between Giuliani and Clinton, there is no contest in Nanfuma’s mind.
"Oh, of course, if that's the choice then it's Giuliani all the way," Nanfuma said.
Rev. Richard Sfameni, pastor of a large urban church in Rhode Island, is unimpressed with pro-life elected officials’ progress on the abortion cause. He believes Giuliani has what it takes to lead the nation during difficult times.
"His proven leadership following 9/11, his proven track record, make him a viable candidate," Sfameni said.
Rev. Jeff Francis is also staunchly pro-life but will not vote based solely on that issue. If Giuliani wins the Republican nomination, Francis said he would support him against Hillary Clinton. Asked if he would consider a vote of conscience, he was adamant: "No way. I won't just throw my vote away."
Left or right, it seems many see in Rudy Giuliani a president well suited to wage the war on terror in which this country is engaged.
