Rudy refuses to answer NYC questions

Posted: Friday, November 30, 2007 12:50 PM by Mark Murray

From NBC/NJ's Matthew E. Berger
OKATIE, SC -- Giuliani refused to take questions here today about allegations that travel expenses were picked up by obscure city offices when he was mayor of New York City.

“We’ve already explained it,” he said, walking past reporters after a town hall meeting.

Giuliani, who is normally friendly to reporters, bristled past them, and campaign staffers were unusually physical in keeping the press away. Several campaign aides told campaign reporters to return to the press area, and some of his security detail manhandled reporters. On other occasions, reporters have been free to video Giuliani as he is shaking hands and signing autographs after events, and he often informally takes questions from reporters.

Giuliani is holding a similar town hall meeting in Boca Raton, FL, but traditionally does not hold a press availability after town halls.

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Comments

Rudy went from crime fighter, to full blown criminal.

It's all about LUST and POWER

J. D. Miller (Sent Saturday, December 01, 2007 8:43 AM)

And the Republicans thought Bill Clinton was a total cad? Please. EVeryone who lives and works around NYC know what a crook and hypocrite and philanderer Rudy was during the terms he was mayor. Yeah, y'know Mussolini got the trains to run on time, too....Rudy has always been a glory-seeking, fascistic thug...ask any minority who lives in NYC what their opinion is of Rudy.

RE LEVY (Sent Saturday, December 01, 2007 8:52 AM)

...these revelation plus Kerik plus etc. sink Rudy, Huckabee beats Romney in Iowa but fades in the East, McCain rides to the nomination. You read it here.

Keith Goldberg, Corona del Mar, California (Sent Saturday, December 01, 2007 9:02 AM)

Rudy doesn't have the stuff to be president - he doesn't look or act presidential, his patter is self serving and he has done so much weird stuff it will surely catch up with him - unless we have the kind of massive vote fraud we had in 2000 and 2004 - and Rudy just loves to have people around him who bend/break the law.

Michael, Chicago, IL (Sent Saturday, December 01, 2007 9:04 AM)

Rudy now you know what the meaning of 'is' is, as B. Clinton said. It IS one thing to have a clandestine BJ in the WH, it IS another to openly parade around with your mistress while your wife and children, unknowingly share the same roof and security at the city's expense. Anyone who would have been mayor of NYC on 9/11 would have (or should have) responded in the same manner as RG did-- it IS your job. Somehow with all the photo ops and press coverage while dashing from the carnage of ther Trade Centers to Yankee Stadium, RG managed to become bigger than life and welcomed being dubbed America's Mayor. As an ex-NYer, RG admittedly did some good things like clean up the city's worst and most dangerous areas while reducing crime. However, I'm just sick and tired of watching RG continued to dupe the rest of the country with the same gloom and doom and fear that has kept GW in command. RIP RG

Hi desert NM (Sent Saturday, December 01, 2007 9:05 AM)

If Alan Hevesi, former NYS Controller, was made to pay the State back for having a public employee chauffeur his wife around, shouldn't Rudy be made to do the same for having his family and "then girlfriend" chauffered by public employees?

C.K., New York City

C. Kirschner (Sent Saturday, December 01, 2007 9:20 AM)

Rudy took advantage of the tragedy of 9/11 to rebuild his failed political career. He may have been a good leader following the attack but it all other areas of family, honesty and integrity he falls way short of the mark. The GOP can do far better with candidates such as Romney, Huckabee and Paul and yes, Ron Paul can win, see

President Ron Paul – Could He Really Win?
http://www.ronaldholland.com/presidentronpaul.htm

Ron Holland, Asheville, NC (Sent Saturday, December 01, 2007 9:22 AM)

The Fourth Estate, The Press, certainly does it job. And now the emerging Fifth Estate, The Keyboard (for lack of a better word), is even more flexible and fluid. So it seems the balance of Estates is lopsided. There is another Estate that, although very cautious in the US, has the power to flip off the switch. The Military-Industrial Estate has intervened regularly in other much older democracies (like Athens and Rome) and Eisenhower understood that the US is a very young country.

Marc, Rovana, CA (Sent Saturday, December 01, 2007 9:33 AM)

Lets hope Rudy will keep on showing what an angry bully he is. He has so many flaws in his character that it's unreal.Maybe people will start to see the extent of his rage and how he treats people(with the exception of corrupt friends). It would be more that tragic if he won the election and could become the #1 bully on the planet. Anybody but Giuliani!!!

Patty Duncan, Maine (Sent Saturday, December 01, 2007 9:50 AM)

How can the Republicans support a candidate whose sexual and family transgressions make Clinton, who in their minds is/was a pedophile sexual predator just for getting a BJ from a consenting(wanting to do it) adult? Speaking of pedophiles, Rudy knowingly has one on his staff. If I were connected to him by way of his campaigning, I would drop off as fast as I could. Crap sticks and stinks on those that are close. Especially real close because they have to know what a cretin he really is and where the skeletons are. And another shoe keeps dropping as if he is a centipede..

Nellieh (Sent Saturday, December 01, 2007 9:52 AM)

Evil is as evil does.

fobo, ny, ny (Sent Saturday, December 01, 2007 9:54 AM)

"Aides unusually physical with reporters"
Rudy is showing a glimpse of how he'd handle things in the future.

Jim P. Ketchum, Idaho (Sent Saturday, December 01, 2007 9:57 AM)

Am I the only one who thinks that Giuliani marrying his second-cousin isn't getting enough press? I mean, granted, there can be some distance between second cousins, but after 14 years of marriage, he divorced the broad because....they were cousins!

RYMOR (Sent Saturday, December 01, 2007 10:14 AM)

<i>his security detail manhandled reporters</i>

As they say, 'as with the Rudy so with the Detail'...
But, when it's Rudy as Judy shouldn't the verb be 'womanhandled'?

Percival E. Functionard (Sent Saturday, December 01, 2007 10:15 AM)

I don't understand something here. In the spring of 2000 Guiliani's sexual escapades and soon to be ex-wife Donna Hanover's proposed role in the Vagina Monologues blew up in his face and killed his chances of successfully running for the senate against Hillary. Suddenly he was not only despised by most people in NYC his conservative cred was shot upstate. Then he was diagnosed with prostate cancer which gave him a convenient out. That all happened by the end of May 2000.

So in June 2000 Guiliani prepaid $54,000 AMEX and billed it to the New York City Loft Board and other backwater agencies. Then sometime in 2001 he prepays another $400,000 knowing full well he's term limited as mayor and will be out by the beginning of 2002. Remember it wasn't until after 9/11 that he tried to circumvent the law to remain in power for awhile longer.

What I don't get is why with well less than a year in office left and the city comptroller already barking up his tree about it he decided he needed a prepaid travel kitty 8 times the size he copped the year before. He wasn't traveling around the state or country running for another office with his entourage in 2001. Did he have another 3 or 4 mistresses who needed taxi service?

Mark Garrity Downers Grove, IL (Sent Saturday, December 01, 2007 10:21 AM)

Shouldn't Roody be in jail for destruction of crime scene evidence?

John Doe, Seattle, Wash (Sent Saturday, December 01, 2007 10:36 AM)

Rudy looks like Colonel Klink(Hogan's Heroes) and acts like Klink on speed. One thing is for sure. If Rudy is elected, Bush won't go down as the worst president in United States history.

It will be "Ichabod Crane" Bush replaced by "Wilhelm Klink" Guiliani.

skyreader7, Texas (Sent Saturday, December 01, 2007 11:26 AM)

His "EYES' say it all, "He's Insane"

Cycle3man, anywhere, ca (Sent Saturday, December 01, 2007 12:01 PM)

It occurred to me that I, too, would be in favor of voting for Rudy...for President of Iran!

For once, I would agree with Sharia law. You know how they handle thieves and adulterers.

barbz, san diego CA (Sent Saturday, December 01, 2007 12:02 PM)

Sex on the city.

Joe (Sent Saturday, December 01, 2007 12:04 PM)

[[Am I the only one who thinks that Giuliani marrying his second-cousin isn't getting enough press?]]

Rudy is a jerk, but that's a non-issue, as it is completely legal in all 50 states - and really not all that uncommon.

He used it as grounds for annulment because the Catholic requires permission for it, and they didn't get permission. I doubt that it was really "because" she was his second cousin - it was just the only valid grounds he had.

Iggy (Sent Saturday, December 01, 2007 12:36 PM)

Rudy and Bernard are vampires. Living off the life of other people. Now that the light of day and the investigators uncover their actions as creatures of the night, these nasty duplicates of people will be shown-up for exactly what they are and will dissappear from the real world.

Pacheck, Huntington Beach, Ca. (Sent Saturday, December 01, 2007 12:45 PM)

Pacheck, Huntington Beach, Ca. (Sent Saturday, December 01, 2007 12:46 PM)

1.Rudy is big in Florida, but couldn't get elected dog catcher in NYC.
2.Rudy is amazed that the people he stepped on when he was mayor can't wait to air his dirty laundry. What has surfaced is only the tip of the iceberg.
3.Like his pal Bernie, Rudy could wind up indicted.
4.Look up the word "Hubris" in the dictionary and you will find Rudy's picture.

Fred J. Muggs, New York, New York (Sent Saturday, December 01, 2007 12:52 PM)

Adolf Giuliani, as he used to be called in New York, is at his worst when confronted with the truth. Bullies don't react well when they are attacked.

ASL3676, San Diego, Ca. (Sent Saturday, December 01, 2007 1:01 PM)

Off the point, but, is it just me or does Rudy J. sound like Elmer Fudd when he talks? Not only does he appear to be a crooked, lieing, immoral scumbag, warmonger, chicken hawk, but he talks like a stupid cartoon character. Come on America, can't we get a president whith some intelectual chops?

Andrew, Orange, CA. (Sent Saturday, December 01, 2007 1:10 PM)

Not a single one of the republicans running is even remotely acceptable.

me, USA (Sent Saturday, December 01, 2007 2:02 PM)

Why is it that the Secret Service is keeping the press from doing their job? Why is it not a crime for a misppropriation of funds to provide services for a mistress? It's like sending NYC the bill for a get-away limo. This is a man who refuses to use his influence to get first responders the healthcare they need due to their exposure to a multitude of hazardous 'workplace' substances. He and Mayor Bloomberg want to make sure that they're valid claims. Get real. It doesn't take much talent or courage to climb a hill of rubble with a bullhorn and offer words (probably scripted by a staff member) of condolences, courage, and thanks. It's how you walk that talk afterwards. What does it say if you can't mend fences with your own children? Say what you might, the Clintons have a great relationship with their daughter, who publically supports both of her parents, and they her.

Jerri, Renton, Wash. (Sent Saturday, December 01, 2007 2:15 PM)

"They manhandled reporters?

Pardon me for asking, but isn't that assault, and a crime? "

I thought it was "battery" after they put their hands on you. And what's with "aggravated assault"? As opposed to polite assault?

Rudi-poo is the Reagan/Bush of '08. I thought the right was joking when they nominated Reagan, I decided they were criminally insane when they chose Bush over McCain, now we'll see if they're suicidal and pick that goose-stepping uber daddy.

Lee in CA (Sent Saturday, December 01, 2007 2:31 PM)

He gave his first mistress, Christine Lategano, a plum city job, so it's nothing to make NYC police walk Judy Nathan's dog.

jh, nyc (Sent Saturday, December 01, 2007 2:48 PM)

At heart he seems to be a power-hungry bully.

Here's a really telling quote from a few years back:

Rudy: "Freedom is about authority. Freedom is about the willingness of every single human being to cede to lawful authority a great deal of discretion about what you do."

[ Interruption by someone in the audience. ]

"You have free speech so I can be heard."

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A01E2D9173CF933A15750C0A962958260

j.w. bjerk, riverton IL (Sent Saturday, December 01, 2007 3:10 PM)

Why are some of these comments referring to Bill Clinton? He is small potatoes in comparison to RG. In fact,he was a good President though a flawed husband. This is sickining. It does my heart good to know that he(Rudy) is Pat Robinson's favorite candidate. How that moral majority can speak!Anyway,those but Bill Clinton adnausems are getting old. take me back to those days anytime.

Pat Watterworth (Sent Saturday, December 01, 2007 5:15 PM)

Pat Watterworth, Brush Prairie,Wash. (Sent Saturday, December 01, 2007 5:16 PM)

Hey Judith, if he's done it with you what makes you think he won't do it to you? Ease up on the mallomars.

Ben Louisville, Ky (Sent Saturday, December 01, 2007 5:36 PM)

Way to go, Rudy! Your time's running out. What's next in the dog-and-pony show? Just go away...quietly...but please...fade!

Joe Gamba, Holyoke, MA (Sent Saturday, December 01, 2007 7:04 PM)

If the Republicans accept this, considering how they went after Bill Cinton, it will show how hypocritcal they really are. They will say that Bill Clinton lied, but wasn't it revealed that a bunch of them were having affairs at the same time they ware going after Bill Clinton? Dems need to get aggressive; they are lame.

Bea, Washington, DC (Sent Saturday, December 01, 2007 7:08 PM)

For how long will we americans vote'stupid'??? pls wake up and realise that Rudy is not fit to rule his household , let alone the world's super power! He should be dumped! He is an indecent human being ! how will u trust this scumbag!!!

Youssef Ghaddar (Sent Saturday, December 01, 2007 7:16 PM)

Water finds its own level. So does sewage. Rudy will find his.

Karen, New York (Sent Saturday, December 01, 2007 7:53 PM)

Rudy has NEVER explained the handling of his personal expenses by the City of NY to the satisfaction of any honest taxpayer.
He is only going to make scripted statements in his speeches and is not prepared to answer directly on any questions about anything else.
Too bad. We need all the good candidates running that we can get, but the closer you look you worse he looks.

CB Burnett, Madison, WI (Sent Saturday, December 01, 2007 8:20 PM)

Rudy does not deal well with dissent. He prefers obsequeious obedience, what he calls loyalty. Remember in New York, it was Bratton, his police chief who took the lead in reducing crime. When Bratton started to get the credit he deserved, Rudy couldn't stand it and fired him.
Rudy now takes the credit for reducing crime, as if he did it alone - what a surprise. (Am I the only one who remembers this?)

Roughing up reporters is just the start. If elected, how soon until we have our own krystal nacht and when do we start calling him fuhrer?

It's amazing what you can justify when the ends are more important than the means.

DiogenesPDX, Portland, OR (Sent Saturday, December 01, 2007 9:08 PM)

Hey, Hillary doesn't have to answer hard questions, I don't have to answer hard questions.

Rudy G., NY (Sent Saturday, December 01, 2007 11:50 PM)

It's the American people who will decide whether are not Gules is the next President. No one will say it, but I will, "If the morons who voted GW in didn't learn their lesson, it's not inconceivable that they will vote Gules in." The press must keep up the pressure. And like a previous comment, I would love to see the press boycott Gules. Let's see where that takes his campaign.

Marie, Salina, KS (Sent Sunday, December 02, 2007 1:45 AM)

Rudy came to Wisconsin for a fund raiser and did not have a rally for the little people. The only reason he came was to get his money from the rich and ran out of town.

I know I don't want him for President.

Kathy Sussex, WI. (Sent Sunday, December 02, 2007 9:05 AM)

Doesn't take a Rocket Scientist to see that Rudy is definitely not 'PRESIDENTIAL MATERIAL" after all he has done and said..I wouldn't want him representing our America would you?

Linda M. South Beloit, IL (Sent Sunday, December 02, 2007 2:55 PM)

WE ARE SEEING RUDY FOR WHAT HE HAS ALWAYS BEEN:AN UN-PRINCIPLED OPPORTUNIST WHOSE POLITICAL ETHICS ARE AS WAVERING
AS "FAITH" ENACTMENT OF CATHOLIC DOCTRINE. GOD SPARE US FROM MORE OF "SLIGHT-OF-HAND" GOVERNMENT THAT ALLOWED BUSH TO MAKE A MOCKERY OF THE JUSTIC DEPT. JAMES MC

JAMES V. MC CORMICK (Sent Sunday, December 02, 2007 8:18 PM)

Rudy claims he had to bill the loft agency and the disability services department for his security because the Police Department didn't pay its bills quickly enough. Hello? Wasn't he the Mayor? Wasn't his best buddy Bernie K the head of the Police Department? Isn't he running now on the basis of what a great administrator he was? Why the hell didn't he just tell the Police Department to pay the damn bills rather than doing some three card monty with his accounts payable?

Marty B, New York, NY (Sent Sunday, December 02, 2007 10:41 PM)

Rudy Tell us True: What is the Rudy G. & Assoc. relationship with the white house? How much did you and Bernie make on you white house deal in the mid east and what is your deal with the Saudi folks and Qutar?

Jim Lyons, Laguna, Beach California (Sent Monday, December 03, 2007 12:49 PM)

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