Rudy 2008 Begins

I know it's a long shot and that McCain and Romney are moving to occupy the Republican field right now.

I know there are other center-right options, in both parties (i.e., Wesley Clark).

I know the likely problems with his candidacy -- he's in favor of gay rights; he seemed to treat his (already-failed) marriage and taxpayers' sense of propriety casually in the waning days of his mayorship; he's pro-choice. Being in favor of gay rights (equal to those of straight people, which is all gays are asking for) and pro-choice myself, I am prone to discount those attributes of his political resume as threats about the reaction of the religious right.

I know the bad rap that is being circulated against him -- that he was a lightweight mayor who really was neither very popular nor effective until New York was attacked on its local election day. I don't believe the bad rap. New York used to be a sinkhole of a city; crime and grime on the streets of New York was an embarassing national joke. By 2001, the city had turned around so much that it had become a popular tourist destination again and it was one of the safest cities in the country.

And I know the upside that he brings -- an easy familiarity with charismatic, active-leadership role; a familiarity with most of the broad issues facing the country (if not the minute details, which can, of course, be left to subordinates); a wealth of political capital upon which he can draw; and superb name and face recognition. Rather than a reminder of our fear and terror on the darkest day of our nation's recent history, he is rather a symbol of our hope and our confidence in rebuilding and becoming better than what we were.

It is for that reason more than anything else -- the hope and confidence that he brings to the table -- that I am so drawn to the idea of Rudolph Guiliani as the next President. Certainly, there will be some terrific political moments that require his presence -- a Presidential debate between Rudy and Hilary Clinton would be the best one-on-one political debate since Kennedy-Nixon; the dedication of the Freedom Tower in 2009; and it's high time an Italian-American held office. But those things are ornaments on the table. The meat and potatoes are a centrist political platform, cross-party and cross-regional appeal, broad-based political support, and the energy and skill to lead at the highest possible level.

Oh, and partisan Republicans of a more religious persuasion than I -- if you nominate him, Rudy can win. You picked George W. Bush in 2000 for no better reason than that. He will recapture the center of the voter spectrum, taking back the middle that was lost last week, and it's well within the realm of possibility that could take the balance of power in Congress back with him on his coattails. How about that for a good reason to swallow your desire for another evangelical and be willing to accept victory instead? There will be a place at the table for you if you get on board, even relatively late in the game.

So until he drops out of the running, Rudy's my guy in 2008.