People need to give Rudy a LOT more credit.

He gets paid millions of dollars a year for his legal services, despite the fact that he's a terrible lawyer.

He also makes a ton for giving speeches, even though he comes across as unhinged and whiny each and every time.

He's remembered as "America's mayor" even though most of the revitalization of NYC was the result of the Clinton economy, the Clinton crime bill (however one views that legislation, as well as his own Giracist and constitutionally questionable police policies.

And he turned himself into a "hero" of 9-11, based largely on talking tough and staged appearances, even though the one thing his office actually did that had a direct impact on the rescue efforts - purchasing the radios used by first responders - was laden with incompetence and corruption.

Say what you want about the guy, but I'm not sure I've seen a better job of fooling the public for such an extended period of time.