John McCain -- And Tom Ridge! -- Fault Rudy On National Security
In the wake of Bernie Kerik's indictment, I'd been wondering whether Rudy Giuliani's GOP rivals would emphasize the fact that Rudy, who says he's the candidate best equipped to defend us from the terrorists, had not just picked Kerik as top cop but also recommended him for the post of Homeland Security chief.
Well, on a campaign stop John McCain has now done just that, and brought up yet another episode from Kerik's past that many have forgotten, chiefly that he abruptly pulled out of Baghdad back when he was training the Iraqi police. McCain:
"That's why I never would've supported him to be the head of homeland security because of his irresponsible act when he was over in Baghdad to try and help train the police. One of the reasons why we had so much trouble with the initial training of the police was because he came, didn't do anything and then went out to the airport and left."
McCain added of Rudy's alleged national security credentials that he suffered from "a fundamental lack of experience."
Rudy was criticized even more harshly by McCain supporter Tom Ridge, the former Homeland Security chief, who implicitly pointed out how ludicrous Rudy's effort to install Kerik as DHS chief really was: "We're not talking about some urban city patronage job. That's not what a Cabinet secretary's about."
Ouch.
Comments (9)
Daniel wrote on November 9, 2007 11:46 AM:A new Rasmussen national poll has Giuliani going down significantly in two weeks and now trailing Hillary outside of the margin of error. Link.
Greg wrote on November 9, 2007 11:56 AM:cool. I'll take a look.
Mary wrote on November 9, 2007 12:25 PM:New Gallup poll also shows Rudy trailing Hillary by 6-7 points.
The media, especially Russert and Matthews, have not mentioned that. They focus on the only poll showing Rudy in a tie with Hillary because they WANT a close race with a big fight.
That gets better ratings.
But Gallup shows Rudy behind by 6-7 points.
eric wrote on November 9, 2007 12:42 PM:Hillary will DESTROY Rudy as much as I dislike him. I think the repubs would so overplay their hand that marginal women voters will vote, not because tey are closet feminists, but because they likely have experienced (or at least perceived) sexual double standards at the workplace and in life more generally. Rudy is so harsh and caustic a person that he will enhance that dynamic. By contrasts a softer, even if mroe ideoloigcal Huckabee would not be so wounded.
For the record, I find Hillary far to corporatist and centrist and non-commital for my taste. I am a Gore man.
Anonymous wrote on November 9, 2007 12:47 PM:Well, we are talking about a job with the Bush/Cheney admin here. I think patronage jobs explain about half of their Cabinet secretaries.
Redshift wrote on November 9, 2007 12:53 PM:You tell 'em, Mr. Ridge! Patronage jobs are just for unimportant posts like FEMA director, right?
John McCutchen wrote on November 9, 2007 1:12 PM:"You're teetering on the precipice of a major crossroads, Rudy"Righteous Bubba wrote on November 9, 2007 1:47 PM:
~ Little Carmine
Needs more duct tape.
John Corhgod wrote on November 9, 2007 6:15 PM:Ridge: "We're not talking about some urban city patronage job. That's not what a Cabinet secretary's about."
How does he explain HUD Sec. Mel Martinez or Education Secretary Rod Paige?
