The latest argument being made by Rudy’s supporters to conservatives is essentially “the enemy of your enemy is your friend”.
This argument made be Steve Malanga, George Will & John Podhoretz is that Giuliani in office overcame the vehement opposition of liberal special interests and the left-wing media to cut crime, slash taxes, fire City workers and banish squeegee men.
They then say that the fact that these bad guys (meaning liberals) were all against Rudy means he’s really “one of us” (meaning conservatives) despite abortion, gay rights, guns, Mario Cuomo, etc.
But Rudy’s conservative friends seem to have forgotten 1997 when Rudy ran for r-election as Mayor. I’ve compiled a partial list of people and institutions that supported Rudy in that campaign. I don’t think this list exactly fits into their argument about Rudy’s enemies being liberal special interests.
NYC Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO (then headed by Brian McLaughlin)
Local 372, District Council 37 (then headed by Charlie Hughes)
Local 32BJ, SEIU (then headed by Gus Bevona)
Borough President Claire Shulman
Congressman Ed Towns
State Senator Malcolm Smith
State Senator Nellie Santiago
Councilman Martin Malave Dilan
Councilman Tom White
Councilman Morton Povman
Councilman Adam Clayton Powell IV
Councilwoman Priscilla Wooten
Assemblyman Vito Lopez
New York Times!!!!!!!!!!