Giuliani Vows to "Get It Done"

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Giuliani Vows to "Get It Done"

December 15, 2007 1:57 PM

ABC News's Jan Simmonds reports: With the theme music to the Notre Dame football movie "Rudy", the former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani came to Tampa, Florida, this morning with one main message for the American people, he can "get it done."

"They (the American people) want their children to live free from the fear of terrorism. They are telling us 'get it done' and we will!," Giuliani said during the beginning of his speech running of a list of problems the country wants solved.

"The American people are angry that the federal government has failed to protect and secure our borders. And they’re telling us 'get it done' And we will!," he went on to add with a Larry the Cable Guy
"Git-R-Done" shouted out from a gentlemen in the crowd when he completed his list.

In a wide ranging speech, billed as the beginning of his closing argument for the republican nomination, Giuliani laid out that no matter what the challenge America is facing, be it terrorism, illegal immigration or fixing the nations school, he was prepared to meet those challenges head on and get results.

"I have met adversity before, I have led in situations that seemed hopeless and dire," said Giuliani. "In need of a miracle, I just don't pray for miracles, I just don't hope for miracles, I expect miracles."

The speech, which was heavily billed by the campaign, was perceived by observers as an attempt to move away from the negative stories of the past few weeks, pertaining to his security practices as Mayor of New York and business deals since leaving office, and back to his agenda for the future. The campaign chose this opportunity to present an all encompassing positive message of where the first four years of a Giuliani administration would take the country.

"I have faith in the genius of America, the power of free people to solve whatever problem they face. That’s why all solutions begin with a simple, simple philosophy: give people more power" said Giuliani.

The beginning of the event was marred by technical difficulties after an introduction by Bob Martinez, the former Florida Governor and Tampa Mayor. Initially Giuliani did not take the stage and after several minutes and a "R-U-D-Y" chant, Martinez came back and apologized that there was a video first. But after those stumbles Giuliani did take the stage and began his speech in a very cautious and contemplative manner, sticking closely to his prepared speech.

Slowly Giuliani gained a comfort and level when he took a momentarily somber tone when discussing the mood of the country.

"As I travel across our land, I have begun to hear a murmur that America has somehow lost the ability to achieve great goals," said Giuliani. "Some good people have come to believe that our country is on the wrong track. Middle class Americans fear the American dream is slipping away. They are worried about the future, they are worried that the future might not be as bright… It doesn’t have to be that way. We, you and I, can decide America's direction. We can determine America’s future."

While he made references to his past experiences be it 9/11 or as a Reagan Justice official, Giuliani focus was clearly forward looking. He did not unveil any new proposals or new details to past ones.

"With bold leadership, America will rise to new heights in this still very new century," Giuliani said to close his speech. "This is a time for leadership. This is a time for strength. This is a time to roll up our sleeves and not wring our hands. I've been tested in crisis, I am ready to lead, and the time is right now."

With a new campaign theme in hand, "Tested, Ready, Now," and the hope that he has energized campaign, it remains to be seen if Giuliani can recapture his momentum to get it done.

December 15, 2007 in Dodd, Chris | Permalink | User Comments (4)

User Comments

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Yes, just the man we need to fullfill the Presidential Executive orders and recent laws enacted to protect us as follows:

1) US Congress and Senate approve the Military Commissions Act, which authorizes torture and strips non- US citizen detainees suspected of terrorist ties of the right of habeas corpus (which includes formal charges, counsel and hearings). It also empowers US presidents at their discretion to declare US citizens as enemy combatants and subject to detention without charge or due process.

(Hmmm, the President can declare any U.S. citizen as an enemy combatant, put him in Gitmo for years without the right of a lawyer. Great, just like we did with the Japanese Americans in California during World War II)

2) John Warner Defense Authorization Act is passed. The act allows a president to declare a public emergency and station US military troops anywhere in America as well as take control of state based national guard units without consent of the governor or other local authorities. The law authorizes presidential deployment of US troops to round-up and detain “potential terrorists”, “illegal aliens” and “disorderly” citizenry.

(Hmmm, there goes your 1st Admendant right to protest the war.)

3) National Security Presidential Directive 51 (NSPD-51) establishes a new post-disaster plan (with disaster defined as any incident, natural or man-made, resulting in extraordinary mass casualties, damage or disruption) which places the president in charge of all three branches of government. The directive overrides the National Emergencies Act which gives Congress power to determine the duration of a national emergency.

(Can't wait for the next Republican dictator to arrest all those Americans who are “potential terrorists”, “illegal aliens” or “disorderly” citizenry)

I for one would rather take my chances with the Constitution and the Bill of Rights and vote for Ron Paul then any of the other Republicans.

Posted by: Greg | Dec 15, 2007 4:12:50 PM

I wonder why none of the above laws and Presidential Executive Orders over-riding the Constituion and the Bill of Rights was never asked in any of the debates?

Posted by: Greg | Dec 15, 2007 4:16:53 PM

1.
RUDY himself has admitted that he seldom got the job done. (EX: I'll give you a list of 400,000 problems in NYC that Team Rudy says Rudy failed to fix.)

EX:
Rudy went after drugs, and says he totally failed to dent their use. (In fact, he fought for illegal drug dealers, like Purdue Pharmaceuticals.)

EX:
Rudy went after prostitution in NYC, and RUDY says RUDY TOTALLY FAILED.

Are y'all calling Rudy a liar?

I believe him that he failed, b/c I live in NYC and not one thing improved under his tenure (except free staten island ferry).

I've got a zillion more. Ask.

2.
RUDY's ON RECORD saying he hates the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

EX: He's said he wishes he could outlaw all speech he doesn't like, but that the pesky Constitution prevents him.

He's also been very vocal of his hatred of the Second, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Eighth, and Fourteenth Amendments.

WHY NOT give Rudy the benefit of the doubt and trust him on his hatred of law and freedom?

Posted by: cxb | Dec 16, 2007 1:02:51 AM

It would be interesting to mention Giuliani Partners`s MSCB dealings in Japanese stock markets, it`s disrespectful business or near illegal trades, apparently very profitable. At first I thought Giuliani might not know the details and someone just used his name, but then I believe that given his backgrouund and wall street inspection experience, he really know how to make money regradless the means, I am sorry for him and his business practices in Japan, I think he probably now regrets for some of the grey businesses he did in Japan.

Posted by: outsider | Dec 18, 2007 6:24:09 AM

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