Rudy reintroduces himself at FL rally
Posted: Saturday, December 15, 2007 2:04 PM by Mark Murray
From NBC/NJ's Matthew E. Berger
TAMPA, FL -- Giuliani today borrowed from some of the campaign themes that helped him get elected twice as mayor of New York City, as he reintroduced himself as a candidate at a rally billed as the start of the final stretch of his campaign.
Giuliani focused his remarks on what the country would do after four -- or perhaps eight -- years of his presidency. Naming several issues, he suggested the American call was to “get it done,” to which he answered “and we will.” But he said nothing he hadn’t said before. “What America needs in 2008 is a proven leader who will get things done,” he said. “I’ve been tested, I’m ready, and the time is right now.”
His new theme is simply, “Tested. Ready. Now.”
The speech was reminiscent of Giuliani’s first inaugural address as mayor in 1994 -- made famous by a young Andrew Giuliani lingering at the podium, waving to supporters -- in which Giuliani repeatedly said: “It should be so, and it will be so.”
(It also reminded at least one person of the Larry the Cable Guy catchphrase, as one supporter yelled “Git-R-Done!” amid Giuliani’s speech.)
It was perhaps Giuliani at his most enthusiastic in months. Although he may be more comfortable speaking off the cuff, he delivered the formal speech well, and played with a crowd that was consistently chanting his name. The campaign seems to be enjoying Giuliani’s likeness to the film about a Notre Dame walk-on football, as it played the “Rudy” movie theme at Giuliani’s entrance and exit. At one point, amid cheers of “Ru-dy, Ru-dy” Giuliani paused and said: “If you keep doing that, I’m gonna stop giving this speech and I’m gonna go out and play football.”
It also was one of the most lavish events his campaign has produced. The convention center here featured three video screens, and an introductory film showcased Giuliani’s career highlights. The 300 audience members were constantly on their feet, and the campaign provided multiple platforms for cameras.
Much of the substance was very familiar: His remarks focused on school choice, curbing illegal immigration while increasing legal entry, and national security. He also took a new swipe at the Democratic candidates. “The Democrats running for president seem to want a nanny state,” he said. “They want to run your life from the cradle to the grave. We don’t want that kind of state. Americans like a country that puts reliance on individuals, on people, what they can do, what they can accomplish.”
The only new comments came amid his call to stop Iran from becoming a nuclear power. “And when we stop them, we won’t just be moderately confident,” he said, referencing the language of the National Intelligence Estimate released earlier this month. “We’ll be totally sure.”
