Giuliani's Speech: "Bold Leadership" "Optimism"

Ex-NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani's closing argument kicks off in Tampa, FL today, and here are excerpts from his speech. The theme seems to be "bold leadership and optimism"... Here, finally, is an argument from a candidate whose message to date has been biographical and oriented principally around finding an acceptable niche in the party.

America needs a leader. I am running for President of the United States because I believe that I can lead America into a new era …with bold leadership, optimism, determination, and distinctly American solutions.

If you are looking for perfection, you are not going to find it. Not in me and not in any candidate. But if you are looking for a leader who has been tested in times of crisis. … A leader who is ready to lead right now. … A leader who has achieved results – results that some people thought were impossible – a leader who believes that there is no problem too serious for American solutions and a free, American spirit … I believe I am that leader.

Some people look at the challenges we face as a nation and they fear the future

I welcome it.

I welcome the opportunity to defeat the Islamic terrorists who are at war with us because of our freedoms.

I welcome the opportunity to restore fiscal discipline to Washington D.C. while we empower millions of people to move out of poverty and achieve the American dream

And I welcome the opportunity to win this election…leading a revitalized, 50-state Republican Party into the White House.

As I travel across our country, I’ve begun to hear a murmur that somehow America has lost its ability to achieve great goals

Some good people have come to believe that our country is on the wrong track. Middle Class families feel that the American Dream may be slipping away – they’re worried the future might not be as bright as the past.

It does not have to be that way. We can decide America’s direction. We determine America’s future. That’s what an election is all about.

We’re at war. The American people want to see victory in Iraq and Afghanistan – not humiliation and defeat. They want their children to live free from the fear of Islamic Terrorism. They’re telling us: Get it done. And we will.

Washington’s culture of wasteful spending is out of control. The American people want to see real fiscal discipline. They’re telling us: Get it done. And we will.

Americans have heard presidents talk about energy independence for three decades. Now they are paying more at the pump and seeing their money flow into the hands of our enemies. They’re telling us: Get it done. And we will.

The American people are angry that the federal government has failed to secure our border. They want to see legal immigration reconnected with Americanization. They’re telling us: Get it done. And we will.

What America needs in 2008 is a proven leader who will get things done.

I believe in the strength and wisdom of the American people.

Look at our history and you’ll see why.

Because no matter when or how your ancestors came to our country, we are all the proud descendants of pioneers and patriots.

Their optimistic American spirit…the defiant determination to do what some consider impossible – that is our greatest inheritance.

Comments

I guess the suppposed front runners are realizing that this is a change election year are now running away from the dubious status of being tough and experience to adopting Obama stance of being bold and optimistic. So much for Rudy and Hillary understanding the electorate.

Posted by sonya | December 15, 2007 1:27 PM

You can be experienced and bring change. It is called 'competence.'

Posted by Key | December 15, 2007 2:29 PM

Stop the presses! Presidential candidate delivers boilerplate speech promising ""bold leadership and optimism!" Blogger inexplicably reproduces entire speech with no contextual commentary whatever! Blog-readers scratch their heads!

Posted by James Gary | December 15, 2007 3:05 PM

Hi I'm Rudy and I'm trying to be relevant again. As we've all seen, Mitt Romney gave an empassioned and presidential like speech a week ago and received positive accolades from it and I too am looking for the same kind of reaction. No longer will I play second fiddle to the Governors, mainly because my national polling numbers and Florida firewall are disolving faster than one of my marriages. I will secure the blessings of freedom for every person (illegal or not), just as I have in NY. I am not perfect, as many have seen me as a cross-dresser, my failed marriages and my tendancy to place my circle of cronies into important positions. But these are only reasons of why I'm not perfect, not unelectable. The difference between myself and Bill Clinton, is that I would've provided security for Monica. I've dealt with terrorists in my city...I've seen them blow up buildings, I was there when Pres Reagan got shot, all of these events proves that I am the one to lead the free world. I am also a fiscal conservative. I now exactly where to place questionable expenses so no one will question them until I am way out of office. While I may not be the social conservative, it just shows that I have better insights into the Democrat psyche. I'm Rudy, & I want to regain my relevancy --(I'm talking to you Floridians).

Posted by MJ | December 15, 2007 3:19 PM

MJ, that is a stunningly ignorant post. Fortunately, if Rudy doesn't get the vote of retards like you, there will still be many millions of other people.

Posted by Key | December 15, 2007 3:30 PM

Oh..lighten up Key. It's just a bit of sarcasm. I'd still vote for him if he's the nominee, several of us retards would.

Posted by MJ | December 15, 2007 3:39 PM

Hillary hasn't not proven her experience nor her competence.

Posted by sonya | December 15, 2007 3:52 PM

Well, humor is funnier when there is an element of truth to it! Just remember 2 things about Rudy:

1. He is the most experienced candidate. I've recently watched him on last Sunday's MTP and some videos of him in the 1990s and he is very impressive. My only impressions of Rudy had been these 60 second debate soundbites, and watching these videos has greatly increased my respect for him. For example, watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fe1AkJFe4D0.

2. He has the best chance of winning in the general election and putting 50 states in play. I have zero confidence Mitt could win in the general election with his flip-flops and "yacht salesman demeanor." The only sure way to win in 2008 is to nominate Rudy. I hope my fellow GOP-ers keep that in mind when it comes time for the primary.

Posted by Key | December 15, 2007 3:59 PM

Bold leadership!

Hey, I'm sold. How unusual and inspiring to hear a politician talk about bold leadership.

Coming next, "the greatness of the American people".

I'm afraid the Rude Boy is fading and he may not be coming back. I'm getting the same feeling about Hillary.

Posted by Pug | December 15, 2007 5:14 PM

Rudy and Hillary's fate are about as tied together as Al Gore and Jimmy Carter's.

I agree it isn't a great speech, and that he hasn't run a great campaign.

Posted by Key | December 15, 2007 5:40 PM

Since McCain is too hated for immigration McCain-Feingold to get anywhere, I think the GOP is stuck with Rudy to have any chance of winning or governing effectively.

Huckabee is a nice guy and a fun story but clueless on policy, the MSM/DNC would have nominee Mitt Romney known primarily as "the magic underwear guy" before the end of summer, and Fred Thompson has already fallen asleep.

Yes, Rudy was fairly liberal, but look at Huck's record. At least Rudy has the excuse of having to win elections in New York City.

Rudy's tough, smart and effective. He'd be good for America and restore credibility to the GOP.

Posted by TallDave | December 15, 2007 6:46 PM

BTW, if you haven't noticed, the Dems are openly planning to run the nastiest general election campaign in history. All the lefty blogs agree that they only lose because they aren't as nasty as Republicans (the 2004 forged TANG memos and 2000 last-second DUI release were apparently fair play). They still think that 254 Swift Vets pointing out that what Kerry said about them during Vietnam wasn't very nice was a "dirty trick."

2008 is going to get very, very ugly.

Posted by TallDave | December 15, 2007 6:55 PM

There's the legal expression: if you have the facts on your side, argue the facts; if you have the law on your side, argue the law. If you have neither, pound the table.

In a debate, Rudy would have both the "facts" and the "law" on the law on his side and so would win without pounding the table. If the dems choose to
pound the table, then they will just tick off Americans. I believe they will be forced to pound the table given that every problem that we discuss has been caused by liberals of one sort or another, and they are against every reform which would fix this problem.

Ed Gillespie had a great line in the 2004 campaign: As the Democratic party becomes smaller, it becomes more liberal, elitist, and angry. As it becomes more liberal, elitist and angry, it gets smaller.

Let the dems continue this slow suicide in front of the American people. Maybe we will win back both the house and the senate in 2008!

Posted by Key | December 15, 2007 7:32 PM

Rudy is apparently finally getting fired up. It is a good speech and the video linked on Instapundit today is really good.

He's our man. He has the most leadership experience and will work hard to keep us safe and will stand up to the weak sisters on the Left who continue to fight against the Presidents efforts to do so.

We have grown accustomed to a real leader; and we want another one!

Posted by BJ | December 15, 2007 8:28 PM