Rudy Can't Fail (If He Doesn't Run)

Michael C. Moynihan | December 22, 2009

Despite a series of polls showing him leading Democratic Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand by a wide margin, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani has indicated that he we will not run for Senate in 2010:

The decision by Mr. Giuliani, 65, leaves Senator Gillibrand — who was appointed to her seat less than a year ago, has never run in a statewide election, and is still unfamiliar to many voters — without a high-profile Republican opponent as she faces election to the seat.

As recently as a week ago, a Quinnipiac University poll showed Mr. Giuliani leading Ms. Gillibrand in a hypothetical matchup, 50 percent to 40 percent.

Mr. Giuliani, whose decision to forgo a race for governor was reported a month ago, plans to endorse Rick Lazio for governor of New York on Tuesday afternoon at a news conference in Manhattan, the Republicans said. Mr. Giuliani’s intentions were reported by The Daily News on its Web site Monday evening.

Many Republican leaders, sensing anger at Albany and incumbent politicians in general, had seen the former mayor as the strongest potential candidate for governor or for Senate in 2010. But party officials had begun agitating for him to declare his intentions as to the Senate race.

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|12.22.09 @ 1:41PM|#

He figured his chances of winning were somewhere between "nine and eleven" percent.

Old Mexican|12.22.09 @ 1:42PM|#

The decision by Mr. Giuliani, 65, leaves Senator Gillibrand[...] without a high-profile Republican opponent as she faces election to the seat.

Why would it matter? It would have been a competition between two similar brands of fascism anyway...

Jeffersonian|12.22.09 @ 1:51PM|#

If forced to choose, I prefer the fascism that keeps winos from squeegeeing my windshield to the fascism that collectivizes $2 trillion of our economy and takes ownership of auto companies.

But that's me.

Old Mexican|12.22.09 @ 2:09PM|#

I prefer neither, but that's just me.

ed|12.22.09 @ 2:39PM|#

No worries. Regardless of what we prefer, we'll get what we deserve. Such is the just and merciless mechanism of our republic. Merry Christmas!

Jeffersonian|12.22.09 @ 3:37PM|#

If you find such a candidate and he's viable, please forward his name to me.

|12.22.09 @ 2:33PM|#

If I remember rightly Gillibrand has a better record on gun rights than 911iani.

So if he did run it might have been one of those times when the NRA endorsed a Democrat, something that happens more often than most folks think.

But, other than that (and more on topic), you're right it would pretty much be a contest between TweedleD and TweedleR.

|12.22.09 @ 2:37PM|#

She had a good record on gun rights until the became Senator and Chuck Schumer got his mitts on her. Since then she's been as bad as him on about everything.

Meanwhile...maybe the Euros shouldn't speak so mean about that there global warming. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8425805.stm

|12.22.09 @ 3:19PM|#

Thanks, Nick. I don't suppose anyone who's good on gun rights is likely to do that well in a statewide contest, though, are they.

WWJGD|12.22.09 @ 1:47PM|#

+1 for another Clash headline

EJM|12.22.09 @ 2:19PM|#

That said, both Weigel and Gillespie have used it before.

Personally, I would have preferred "Rudy, Don't Take Your Love to Town" (based on "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town"). H&R needs more Kenny Rogers references.

|12.22.09 @ 2:54PM|#

Or not.

John Tagliaferro|12.22.09 @ 3:06PM|#

Damn work getting in the way of pointing this out first.

|12.22.09 @ 1:52PM|#

I don't blame him. Running for office will only cause images of him "inexplicably [] playing catcher behind a T-ball tee" to resurface.

|12.22.09 @ 2:05PM|#

He's not running for the Senate because he's planning to run for President, perhaps?

|12.22.09 @ 3:49PM|#

I heard he's not running so he can help his son's company provide security at the Olympics in Brazil.

Flush Obama|12.22.09 @ 2:10PM|#

~~Rudy Michael C. Moynihan Can't Fail (If He Doesn't Run)~~

~~FIFY~~

Flush Obama|12.22.09 @ 2:11PM|#

(Preview is my friend)

¢|12.22.09 @ 2:31PM|#

H&R needs more Kenny Rogers references.

Only to songs people don't remember until you mention them, then the one little bit they barely do remember gets stuck repeating in their heads for hours, like "You Decorated my Life."

You decoraaated myyyy liiiiife. You decoraaated myyyy liiiiife. You decoraaated myyyy liiiiife. You decoraaated myyyy liiiiife. You decoraaated myyyy liiiiife. You decoraaated myyyy liiiiife.

ed|12.22.09 @ 2:42PM|#

Stop it! Stop it!

VikingMoose|12.22.09 @ 3:10PM|#

¢ - you just gave me the perfect song for my afternoon batin.

awesome. and have a great cadence and everything!

Kanye West|12.22.09 @ 3:02PM|#

Rougher than rough
Tougher than tough
Strong like lion
He is iron
Rudy don't fear

T|12.22.09 @ 3:07PM|#

I'm sure Rudy has figured out running around and collecting speaking fees for 9/11!9/11!9/11! is easier than actually working or running for office.

Fluffy|12.22.09 @ 3:12PM|#

This is not surprising. Rudy is a big chicken.

He was so scared of running against Hillary that his balls shrivelled up and fell off.

I guess he didn't want to take a chance on anything else falling off if he ran against Gillibrand.

Distinguished Gentleman|12.22.09 @ 3:32PM|#

News on a more sympathetic politician:

http://www.independentpolitica.....rt-attack/

Warty|12.22.09 @ 3:43PM|#

Find a job in the paper.

|12.22.09 @ 3:55PM|#

"Giuliani's consulting business, Giuliani Partners, is flourishing. This month it landed a contract with Rio de Janeiro to help make the city safer before it is the site of the 2016 Olympics."

http://www.wcbs880.com/Giulian.....or/5952925

guy in the back row|12.22.09 @ 4:49PM|#

Wasn't he embarressed by being beaten by Ron Paul in 2008?

FrenchHash|12.22.09 @ 4:51PM|#

Rudy your so cruel and feckless
You've been a drinkin brew for breakfast

FrenchHash|12.22.09 @ 4:52PM|#

BTW

I share a last name with a certain Reason contributor. 5 freedom points for whoever guesses correctly.

Flush Obama|12.22.09 @ 5:05PM|#

I guess that means you're Dave Weigel's husband. Where do I cash in my points?

FrenchHash|12.23.09 @ 4:28AM|#

It's unfortunate, but you are no where near.

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