Giuliani's Media Team Is Full Of Conservative Heavyweights

The stalwart conservatives who populate ex-NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani's media team are a telling indication that a Giuliani nomination looks more likely -- and is more acceptable -- to the Republican Party elite than ever before.

When Giuliani entered the race in March, it's probably safe to assume that not a single member of his team would have felt comfortable joining the campaign of a pro-choice, pro-gay rights cultural liberal from New York City.

But priorities have shifted. Giuliani has withstood a fairly intense round of criticism. He is messaging on national security and economic growth. John McCain's prospects have fallen. Fred Thompson is a question mark.

From the standpoint of these media company's bottom lines, there is now little risk in being associated with the Giuliani brand -- unless, of course, someone else, like Mitt Romney wins the nomination and is in a mood to punish. (Romney doesn't usually bear grudges.)

Heath Thompson will serve as the lead creative consultant. He was regional political during the Bush-Cheney re-election campaign and ran the Bush effort in South Carolina in 2000. He's now a partner with Scott Howell and Co. He will double as a lead Giuliani strategist in South Carolina. His former partner in SC, Terry Sullivan, is running Romney's campaign there.

Scott Howell's firm has Bush-Cheney campaign experience and is the media consultant of record for many in-cycle incumbents throughout the south and midwest. It was his firm, in 2006, that produced the controversial television ad about Harold Ford, Jr's dating life. Howell also worked for George Allen in '06. He's handling media duties for Norm Coleman's re-election in Minnesota.

Chris Mottola's former clients have included Sen. Arlen Specter and ex-NYC governor George Pataki. He's been a close adviser to Pataki for years.

John Brabender was chief consultant to Rick Santorum in his 2006 Senate race and has worked for just about every major conservative politician in the northeast. His firm is BrabenderCox, about which my colleague Josh Green wrote last year.

Giuliani's media buyer will be Patti Heck of Crossroads Media.

Comments

Marc,

People who have worked for George W. Bush, Arlen Spector, Rick Santorum, and George Pataki hardly qualify as "Conservative Heavyweights."

Posted by Peter | August 23, 2007 12:46 PM

You forgot the most powerful "media consultant" of all: ROGER AILES. While he may not be on Rudy's payroll, it's foolish to think Ailes won't exert every means necessary to help out his old buddy from New York.

Posted by freaktown | August 23, 2007 1:35 PM

A better term to use in the title would be "Moderate to Liberal Republican Heavyweight Hacks." :)

Posted by Peter | August 23, 2007 2:05 PM

Rudy = Bush on Steroids

or

Rudy = Bust's 3rd term with steriods

Posted by Steroid | August 23, 2007 2:19 PM

Bush ran wearing the cross on his sleeve - Rudy crossdresses while he runs.

That "conservative heavyweights" who backed Dumbya, Macaca, and Rick "Runny" Santorum are backing Rudy just shows how shallow their whole "traditional values" con-job was. What they always worshipped was power, and they'll say and do anything and work for anyone to get it, including an adulterous, corrupt, tyrannical guy like Rudy who cares more about his wingtips than he does about abortion.

Posted by MoeLarryAndJesus | August 23, 2007 2:27 PM

Don't forget George Pataki. He's the biggest con of them all!

Posted by Peter | August 23, 2007 2:30 PM

I hope this helps puts Rudy in the White House. He would be a huge asset to our country and is the only one in the race with a long history of proven results. I will be proud to call him my president.

Posted by Dan | August 23, 2007 7:29 PM

Dan writes: "I hope this helps puts Rudy in the White House. He would be a huge asset to our country and is the only one in the race with a long history of proven results."

The ferrets of America have been warned!

And you can ask the 9/11 rescue workers what they think about Rudy's "results," as well as his real "long history," which is taking credit for the work done by other people.

He's a punk.

Posted by MoeLarryAndJesus | August 23, 2007 8:45 PM

This is the funniest and dumbest thing on the part of Rudy I've read yet. Hire these thugs Rudy. Let's see what group of Americans they can bash the most. Fits though. Rudy isn't exactly the most mannered of candidates. These guys fit the mean-spiritedness of the Rudy New Yorkers know very well. This ought to be a something to see!

Posted by Steamboater | August 23, 2007 9:58 PM

I sure like seeing other conservatives like me for RUDY. RUDY is the only one that can win....and if we don't keep the White House...........GOD HELP this country.

Posted by Adelle | August 24, 2007 5:09 PM

Which god, Adelle?

" June 25, 2002

Stonewall Veterans' Association 70-A Greenwich Ave. New York, NY 10011

Dear Friends:

I wish to extend my warmest congratulations to you on the occasion of the 33rd anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall Rebellion. The work of the Stonewall Veterans' Association keeps the spirit of the rebellion alive. The Rebellion was a triumph at a time when the struggle for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Civil Rights was just beginning.

Over the past several decades, S.V.A. has preserved the spirit of the original rebellion and continues to work tirelessly for the cause of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender and Human Rights in general. Your educational program is exceptional in helping others to learn about the cause, the history and to fight prejudice.

Again, I would like to extend my congratulations and commend you on a job well done.

Sincerely,

Rudolph W. Giuliani"

Adelle, does your god support the "Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender" revolution? Because Rudy does. Or at least he did 5 years ago.

I suspect that if Rudy needed to support dogfighting or indentured servitude to win, he'd do that, too. But maybe your crowd has a very flexible god.

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