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Mark Murray, NBC Deputy Political Director

Domenico Montanaro, NBC News Political Reporter



Rudy responds to Kerik indictment

Posted: Thursday, November 08, 2007 12:28 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC’s Andy Merten
Taking questions regarding embattled former New York City police commissioner Bernard Kerik, who will likely be indicted today on charges of tax fraud, corruption, and conspiracy, Giuliani repeated past statements that he made a mistake in not fully vetting his appointee, but shifted focus to his other successes as mayor.
 

“I have pointed out that I think I made a mistake in not checking him out more carefully,” said the Republican presidential hopeful in Dubuque, Iowa this morning. He then quickly shifted to touting his overall success during his term, adding, “But when you balance that mistake against all the successes that we had, and the reality that you make some mistakes and you make some correct decisions, I think the overwhelming record is a record of great success.”
 
Giuliani evoked the reduction of crime and welfare recipients in New York City during his tenure as measures of his correct decisions, citing a 67 percent drop in homicides and an elimination of 640,000 individuals on Welfare payments.
 
The national GOP frontrunner has used this tactic of addressing past mistakes -- both in his public and private lives -- throughout the campaign. “I am not running as the perfect candidate,” he said, “and I’m not running as the perfect president -- what I’m running as is somebody who’s had a great deal of success.”
 
But while Giuliani is addressing his past mistakes head-on, he is also using his moments with the press to highlight the differences between himself and Hillary Clinton. Both today and during his endorsement press conference with evangelical leader Pat Robertson yesterday in Washington, he made a point to highlight his staunch opposition of allowing illegal immigrants to obtain drivers’ licenses -- something his potential opponent has not yet taken a clear stance on.

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Before all you Hillary loose meats come out after Rudy for Bernard Kerik......

You better remember you still have Sandy Berger....
"Lying, I'm going to have to do a lot of lying." - Rudy
Rudy is up to his eyeballs in this scandal. There is much more to this story and I can't wait til they uncover it.
So I guess what he is saying is that it doesn't matter that Kerik was (allegedly) crooked because he (Rudy) had a lot of success during his run as mayor.

This could come back to haunt him, as he has now declared it no big deal to consort with criminals so long as you have some success to show for it.  If it does end up being Rudy vs. Hillary, he can't question any of her or Bill's "associates".
"Giuliani repeated past statements that he made a mistake in not fully vetting his appointee, "

It's only the police chief for one of the world's largest city - nothing Rudy should have to really concentrate on. Or maybe he was vetted for Rudy? Or maybe Rudy just isn't up to the job? Take your pick.
New polls out in Iowa and New Hampshire this morning show how difficult it will be for Rudy. He is crushed in both states by Mitt Romney, and even comes behind Huckabee in Iowa. Link to both polls: http://www.campaigndiaries.com/2007/11/mitt-romney-still-on-top-of-world-but.html
Tell us the WHOLE story greaseball Rudy. The whole truth and nothing but the truth...so help you God. Oh, I quess we'll never hear it from Rudy.
If Rudy did not know what Kerik was, prior to his appointment, then Rudy fails to have sufficient wisdom, knowledge and basic intelligence to even be remotely considered as presidental material. Rudy's claimed accomplishments simply make him a sad legend in his own mind.
Man this could turn out to be major issue in the election if he ends up winning the nomination. No way he can catch up with the Clintons on the number of people they've been associated with convicted of crimes.
Makes one wonder how close is organized crime tied to Giuliani. Even if he has no direct ties, it seems he has cloes ties to people associated with organized crime. Even Bush recommened Kerik to a cabinet post. I wonder who recommmend Kerik to Bush? We do not need any more Clintons or any more people like Bush in the White House. The Whitehouse needs to be clean out and we do not need anyone there that has any associations with criminal activity.  
Gigolo Rudy spare us your lame attempts at mea culpa of a " mistake of not fully vetting his appointee" How convient now that an indictment is on the way. You sir are a lieing sack of crap!
So, regarding Sandy Berger...

Do you mean that you agree that Rudy should be blasted for this, just like Clinton was blasted for being friends with Sandy Berger?
Or, do you mean that Clinton should no linger be blasted for the mistakes of her associates?
Or, are you a Rightwing Slime Machine hypocrite, who means that Rightwing Slime Machine hypocrites still get to simply ignore any of Rudy's law-breaking associates, but still get to blast Hillary as much as their hate-filled little hearts desire?
jerry/corpus christi texas is a Sandy Berger served at Red Lobster? At least you could eat at a place that actually serves fresh Seafood in Corpus. By the way, you do not tip at Snoppys, because you place the order at the counter and you pick up your order when the food is ready. It is always fresh seafood and cold beer and the catch of the day is caught that day. No service needed.  
Once again, I'm sure there's a mayor somewhere in Idaho or South Dakota who's lowered crime and welfare recipients. And I'm sure there are more than a few who have done it without appointing corrupt officials, who aren't on their third wifes, and who never dressed in drag on television. Why should we vote for you again?
the police commissioner was a crook, but crime went down.  how macchiavellian.  no wonder he's the GOP frontrunner.
What happened to "Day One" accountability? What happened to restoring honor to the white House? What happened to family values? What happened? It NEVER REALLY MATTERED! That's what happened.
Rudy (911) Giuliani is the most illicit piece of trash of all the candidates. I can't believe that this country would be so foolish to elect him.
 Jerry

Frankly right now, I'm not sure I would be overly proud to have either of these two as the President of our country. The cynics say "they're all a bunch of crooks" and stories like this one just give those cynics more ammunition.  

Peggy Lee used to sing a song that, for me, sums things up perfectly: "Is That All There Is?"
This wasn't an issue of failing to vet a candidate for one appointment.  Kerik was appointed and promoted (usually over several more qualified candidates) through the New York justice department administration under Rudy over a course of many years.

You own Kerik, Rudy.  He's your man and I absolutely do not believe that you had no idea the guy was dirty.  

Oh and Jerry:  You know what the difference between Sandy Berger and Berny Kerik is?  After today it will be an indictment.  If Berger did something illegal and you have proof of it, by all means, bring that to the attention of your local US Attorney.  If not... I'm going to assume that you are just hitting the kool aide again.
Rudy says he reduced crime - Actually his police commissioner reduced crime.  Rudy had very little input into it (that's why this commissioner wouldn't speak to him for years after the stolen credit).  The same commissioner is now producing the same results in Calif.  
He says he reduced taxes.  I've been a NY property owner for 16 years.  Actually my property taxes went up every year he was mayor and I've received a rebate every year Bloomberg has been mayor.
The educational system was in a shambles when he was mayor and he was constantly pleaded with to do something about it and he did NOTHING.
Bloomberg took the whole system under his wing and has completely revamped and revitalized it - even in the face of the disasterous and unfunded debacle that is No Child Left Behind.
Bloomberg consolidated all the transit unions under one MTA umbrella and even thru a 4 day transit strike, 90% of the city functioned smoothly.
So what is this wonderful record of accomplishment that we are supposed to be so in awe of that we forget that the man Rudy pushed hard to become head of US Homeland Security is a felon?
Rudy et al.: you're missing the larger point.  Giuliani recommended this crook to run the Department of Homeland Security.  Arguably our most sensitive federal office.  This ain't going away.  Hopefully, Rudy, you can steal the Repub nomination before the real sh*& hits the fan.
Explain this one Rudy.....explain how the man YOU appointed to run the NYPD is now under Federal Indictment. (?)
This is the second person associated with "Gigolo Rudy 'G'" to be slapped with a FEDERAL indictment in the last four months. The first was money-man Alan Fabian.
.....and that's not all folks! We haven't even heard from The New York City Firefighter's, The Families of those lost on 911, or the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association....yet.
Looks like "Rappin' Rudy 'G' The Gigolo of The G.O.P." is in for a rough ride.
Republicans should start looking seriously at Ron Paul if they hope to have any chance for The Presidency in 2008.
The Shrub and Gigolo Rudy are just about neck and neck in the slime, arrogance, corrupt, and meglomaniac department.
It looks like ol' Skeletor Giuliani got some skeletons in his closet.
Being mayor of NY doesn't qualify you for POTUS...period. Two totally different scenarios. I believe in an everyman POTUS but not from self serving politicians.
Rudy recommended Kerik to Bush. And RUdy has known Kerik PERSONALLY for over 20 years. How can he stand there and lie that he didn't know him well? And success in other areas is reason enough to do illegal things? The man who grants city sanctuary to illegal aliens... is it any wonder the law is beneath him too?
Yes Rudy reduced crime, with the help of Clintons additional policeman. Also his police commissioner cleaned up the city, the same as he is doing in his new position. If rudy wasn't aware of the background of Kerik, why not? This is not a man he just met, they were associates for years. Bad judgement Rudy. Quite honestly ,I would never vote for Rudy under any circumstances, due to his lack of character. Look at what he did to Donna Hanover, that's why his children hate  him. And that tramp of a wife as first lady. Please.................
Only in the mixed up perverted way of life could a person like jerry be so supportive of the old 2 wrongs dont make a right ,unless like jerry you need to prove a point that makes no sense keep helping to unify the party jerr
Both Rudy and Bernie are crooks. Can't wait til the Clinton camp digs deeper on this one. Hillary will chew him up and spit him out.
Crime went down everywhere in the country in those years, because the poorest of the baby boomers grew up and were no longer of the age where they were likely to be criminals, and because we built more jails everywhere. It was demographics, plus the success of the Clinton economic policies of the 1990's. It had nothing to do with Giuliani, any more than the crime drop in Debuque did. Giuliani always was a grandstander, even as a prosecutor. He acts like he was personally victimized by 9/11, though nobody can quite figure out how or why he was "created" by this event.
John Doe Peanut gallery, Sandy Burgaler has pleaded guilty to a felony - removing classified information from the national archievs. That is the difference.  
This is just the first of many storis that will surface about Rudy except, unlike Clinton, he doesn't have the political genius to clean up the mess. This is good news for the squeaky clean Mitt Romney.
Clinton,Romney debate:

H:you are a flip flopper!
Rom: No, you are a flip flopper!
H:You are a flip flopper!
Rom:You are a flip flopper!
Rudy: Keep going while I remarry my first wife!
Hillary,Romney, and Rudy debate:
Hil--Mitt, you are a flip flopper!
Mitt--Hillary, You are the flip flopper!
Hil--No Mitt, you are the flip flopper!!
Rudy---Keep going while I go marry my first wife!
Ron, to be accurate Sandy Berger admitted to removing copies of documents.  He admitted to it, took responsibility, apologized to the American public, and took his punishment (from the Bush Justice Dept) like a man.  End of story.
I can't understand why anyone would vote for or endorse Rudy G. for any office let alone the presidency. He is a liar. He and his wife lied about how many times she had been married. If he will lie about something like that he's capable of lying about much more important matters.
I've known this guy was a fraud from the beginning. I don't understand what's wrong with America making this guy a frontrunner.

Can someone help me understand?
Everything about Rudy's campaign he winds up saying that I am not perfect and I make mistakes. Electing Rudy is like re-elcting Bush. He would be the most imperfect mistake prone president every.
GO 2HELL Rudy and Bush for killing so many people on 9/11 and your mafia Police chief cover the crime.
Let's just put the Soprano"s in Washington and clean up all this mess.
Let's just put the Soprano"s in Washington and clean up all this mess.
Well Rudy and this guy have security consultum business together. They have won a lot of government contracts including job to train Iraq police. So if Rudy says this guy is a mistake then he is a mistake too. Show me your friend and I will tell you what is your character!!!
The Republicans' best bet is to dump Skeletor Giuliani and stand behind Ron Paul if they want to win in 2008.
Hillary will chew him up and spit him out.
Susan,Miami (Sent Thursday, November 08, 2007 3:01 PM)

LOL....

She couldn't handle Tim Russert.....
How the heck is she going to handle Rudy?
The full read

I find it hard to understand why the american voters are so easy to fool. Its my opinion the top tier candidates in both partys souldnt be there.

On the republican side with  Giuliani and Romney,. America better watch there [six] with these two guys.
Giuliani:  Is nobody without 9/11 he stereotypes everything that comes out of his mouth. Giuliani is a fixed idea or iamge of himself.
Romney:  is a micro manager. just a better looking Bush
Thompson: A good VP.
Huckabee: just another Carter

On the democrats side with Hillary and Obama,. We are being flank by all the democrats on this health care issue. Blind side with oversimplification.
Hillary:  I have my doubts we already have the first women speaker of the house in history. Her first 100 hours turn out to be a one way ticket to a nothing show.          
Obama:  This guys is real scary talk about FAUTY LOGIC this man is a Harvard gratuate with a law degree I wouldnt let this guy handle a parking ticket for me.
Edwards:  All I see is Dan Quayle just go away to Mr Edwards.
Biden:  Is the best choice for a  the democrats. At lease he understands policy.
   
I don't think the American people or the media  fully understand this country is at war. This war is as real as real can get. A war started by a sitting United States President. In 2006 the Democrats took claim there party will end the war. The debate hosted by Tim Russert asked the question " Will you have the troops out by 2013?". Hillary, Obama and Edwards replied with the answer "NO". This reponse will continue the  body bags coming home intill 2013 and beyond. This war is a great big castle with four towers at each corner tower 1 is Iran  2 is Syria  3 is Pakistan              4 is Jordan and Saudi Arabia. The strategy was to put our military right smack in the middle of two court yards without secure borders the same dumb move has done in Vietnam. I guess we just have to face the fact america cant secure borders.    

Its been said about President Truman.
"As President, Truman made some of the most crucial decisiions in history".

The next Commander - in - Chief  takes office on January 20th, 2009. He/ she will have to handle this Middle East nightmare that President Bush has initally started. The new President will have to find a new edge to Foreign Policy. The right touch of Dipolmacy will be key.

Senator John McCain is the only candidate on record that can bring this nation back to the center .He is the only one that can strategically top Mr. Truman's decision-making. He is the only candidate to resolve and unite this nation without a big boom.
Rudy/Julie seems to have had a sudden attack of amnesia about Kerik.  First his driver, then his Police Commissioner, then partner, then the best man Rudy could think of for DHS head?  What a tremendous administrator Julie is, isn't he?  Just what is needed in Washington, another crony-promoter.  I'll bet he knows a waiter at his favorite steak house who would make a Great Chief Justice, right?
It looks like another skeleton in my closet! I guess that's what I get for being such a bonehead.
Rudy didn't make just one mistake with Kerik. Rudy was informed of Kerik's connection with Interstate prior to his appointment to police commissioner but that didn't stop Rudy. Rudy also went into business with Kerik and then recommended Kerik to Bush for Homeland Security. This is more than just a single lapse in judgment......
I wouldn't trust Rudy to run an electric train set, let alone trying to run this country. Mitt Romney is just another CEO-type who would favor CEO's. Fred Thompson would make a better VP than a president. If Hillary couldn't handle some of the easier question that were asked to her, then how will she be able to handle tough situations. Barack Obama is nothing but a nutcase with a Harvard law school degree. John Edwards should just go back to being an ambulance chaser.

If this country wants someone who has real leadership qualities, then look no further than Ron Paul. He is the only candidate who will truly and seriously address the issues that affect this country. He is the only candidate on record who has and will truly uphold and defend the Constitution.
It doesn't surprize me. I've been in law enforcement for over 24 years. Once these guys promote to administrative possitions, they become corrupt! Look at Orange county, Ca. Next, they should look into the corruption among Lapd's command staff. They'll be very surprized at what they find!


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