Rudy Is a Rock Star in Michigan

Rudy Giuliani, originally uploaded by 4President.
Rudy Giuliani delayed dinner at the Mackinac Republican Leadership Conference tonight with a lengthy speech, but it was well worth the wait for the 1,100 people who packed the dining room at the Grand Hotel.
This was the first time I watched a Giuliani speech in person. (I missed his speech at CPAC because I was moderating a panel discussion at the same time.) I was impressed. He stuck to the themes that work in his favor — lower taxes, less spending, tough on terrorists and hard on Hillary. If you’re not sold on Giuliani, you very well may be after seeing him live. He was sharp, funny and lit up the room with electricity.
My favorite part came as he was wrapping up. After facing a week’s worth of attacks from MoveOn, the far-left group that smeared Gen. David Petraeus on Sept. 11 in the New York Times, Giuliani ripped into the organization. He criticized the 24 Democrats who voted against Sen. John Cornyn’s measure condemning MoveOn this week, singling out Sen. Hillary Clinton. (Giuliani mentioned her name at least 10 times, according to Shira Toeplitz of the Hotline.) And then he said this:
If you can’t stand up to MoveOn.org, how are you going to stand up to Ahmadinejad.
The audience went wild. Giuliani’s long trek to Mackinac Island was well worth it.
Granted, he was the first of nine Republican presidential candidates to speak at the Mackinac Island event this weekend, but he’ll be a hard act to follow. I felt sorry for Rep. Duncan Hunter, who was the other candidate sharing the spotlight tonight. Fortunately for Hunter, he made an articulate case for serving as our next Defense secretary or Homeland Security secretary.
There’s more to come on Mackinac Island tomorrow. Sen. Sam Brownback and Reps. Ron Paul and Tom Tancredo speak at breakfast, then Mike Huckabee and Mitt Romney entertain us for lunch. Fred Thompson and Sen. John McCain wrap things up at dinner tomorrow night.




September 22nd, 2007 at ,12 am
Don’t get carried away by Rudy.
After all - his “leadership” failed
at getting the NYFD & NYPD to
communicate. Had he effectively
led in this regard, so many firefighters would not have died on 9/11. Also, he hired and promoted Bernard Kerick. Finally,all the “holier than thou” stuff about the Move on/Petraeous ad - political speech is just pandering and avoids facing up to the mess GWB has created and is trying to pass on to his succesor. Hillary would eat his lunch.
September 22nd, 2007 at ,1 am
Prior to tonight, I never even considered supporting Rudy. I still have a ways to go before making up my mind, but he’s definitely an inspirational leader — even if he has made some (major) mistakes in the past. That being said, there’s a long way to go before I pick my candidate.
September 22nd, 2007 at ,8 am
Tell the truth. Ron Paul has the largest presence in Michigan this weekend.
September 22nd, 2007 at ,8 am
[…] Blog - The Official Blog of Robert B. Bluey « Rudy Is a Rock Star in Michigan September 22nd, […]
September 22nd, 2007 at ,10 am
Actually, Richard, I think Romney has the biggest presence here. I guess we’ll find out at lunch today.
September 22nd, 2007 at ,11 am
[…] Question From Rudy To Democrats… Rudy Giuliani was in Michigan this week and made this comment directed at the 24 senators that didn’t denounce the Moveon.org attack against Gen. Petraeus: […]
September 22nd, 2007 at ,12 pm
[…] Rudy Is a Rock Star in Michigan by Robert Bluey […]
September 22nd, 2007 at ,1 pm
As a NYC resident I can firmly say Rudy showed true leadership during the terrorist attacks (compare 9′11 with Katrina). Now that Rudy is a strong ‘08 candinate, its time for liberals to find some reason to destroy that legacy. Most of which are nothing more than petty issues based on hindsight. Sorry liberal America, Rudy wasn’t perfect on 9′11 (but pretty damn close!) His greatest accomplishment was unifying a city and nation. Again, I’ll use Katrina as a comparison.
As for Hillary “eating his lunch”, she should focos on not FAILING a second time with her socialist ideology on healthcare. Hillary’s “so called experience” is based soley on riding her husbands coat tails into the white house. Rudy’s “claim to fame” is becuase of 9′11, but 8 successful years as mayor and US Attorney during the Reagan administration speaks volumes about his competency.
September 22nd, 2007 at ,1 pm
Rudy hs a golden opportunity next week. He should go to Columbia University, stand up in the crowd and tell Ahmadinejad, “My name is Rudy Giuliani. You will be hearing from me in January 2009.”
September 22nd, 2007 at ,3 pm
this campaign will become unglued when more info of da mayor’s disingenous record of public service comes to light.
September 22nd, 2007 at ,4 pm
Fredko,
What I would like to add to the ongoing blogs:
Rudy was there for us during the many hours it took the Bush staff to develop an approach to the crisis i.e. Bush spoke to the public.
The friends, families, and lovers of the unsung heroes will not forget Rudy’s honesty, compassion, empathy and tears as he frequently updated us. He embraced NYC and those in the USA and world that had folks visiting the towers. Rudy will lead the USA with the same commitment.
Let’s cut to the chase with Move On. Generals follow their Commander-in-Chief’s orders.
Hillary? I do not respect, do not trust, and will not vote for, a woman who does not ditch a cheating philanderer.
September 22nd, 2007 at ,6 pm
[…] shares the stage with Sen. John McCain, but based on what I’ve see so far, he’s already rivaling Rudy Giuliani in popularity. Posted at 6:39 PM in Politics Save to […]
September 22nd, 2007 at ,7 pm
You know, I’m not going to lie, our nation has had a lot of problems because of zionism, and 9/11 and the Iraq catastrophe are a the result.
Ron Paul knows about this problem, and is the only American strong enough to save us from this mess.
I know it sounds racist, but it honestly isn’t. Jews just have too much power and influence over Romney and especially Giuliani. The “leaders” in both parties are from New York because the Jewish media wants to coninue its power, but the truth that remains hidden from many is that Ron Paul speaks for more Americans than any other candidate. His grassroots power beats all other candidates COMBINED. On Online polls that zogby can’t manipulate, he’s got the manpower to win.
I don’t have a problem with Jews using their power… I’d use it too if I had it, but it’s just not fair for such a small number to win every year. It’s our turn.
Vote and contribute to Ron Paul! He’s the only chance America’s got!
September 22nd, 2007 at ,9 pm
I’m with you American Girl…..don’t trust hillary any further than i could throw her.
September 22nd, 2007 at ,10 pm
[…] address to the Mackinac Republican Leadership Conference had the potential to top Rudy Giuliani’s moving speech last night. Instead, things went bad right from the start. Moments before Thompson took the stage, […]
September 23rd, 2007 at ,2 am
Rudy is an American Hero as are the Soldiers in this vital conflict. Rudy is a born leader. See Rudy run; run into glory. See him in the White House in 2009. Sorry it has to be that far away…….
Go Rudy!!!
September 23rd, 2007 at ,10 am
Rudy’s record of turning NYC around by reforming its finances and making it one of the safest big cities has convinced me. I support Rudy.
Additionally, Rudy will have terrorists of the irreconcilable wing of Islam around the world soiling their pants in fear.
GO RUDY!
September 23rd, 2007 at ,11 am
All, I can say is, if Rudy gets elected, I’m joining MoveOn.org so he’ll kick me out of the country. The man’s a fascist and he will use the powers of the Patriot Act, the Military Commissions Act and the dozens of W Exec. Orders to clamp down on you and I in a vice of Big Brotherism like Orwell could have never imagined. And forget posting comments like this to the internet anymore. Read some of the things he said when he was mayor back in the 90’s, frightening stuff.
September 23rd, 2007 at ,1 pm
[…] already written about each candidate — some approvingly, others disapprovingly — but I wanted to tie it […]
September 23rd, 2007 at ,11 pm
Rudy is a puppet for the new world odor.I bet he will be a no show for the pbs special this thursday night.Ron Paul is our only hope.
September 24th, 2007 at ,3 am
Rudy did as well as we’re doing in Iraq.
September 24th, 2007 at ,6 pm
If elected Rudy’s greatest concern has to be the amount of corruption,contradiction, and discord he’ll deal with. He’s already swamped with it. All are.
The difference is that Rudy already has a plan. He wouldn’t run if he didn’t.
If anyone can deal well with the Middle East Mafia it’s Rudy. Pardon my levity.
January 1st, 2008 at ,12 am
[…] in Michigan politics, and attracted nearly every Republican presidential candidate. I got to see Rudy, Romney, McCain and Fred up close and also sat on two panels about technology and politics. But the […]