Former Giuliani aide flips to Team Clinton

[BeyondGeography]

September 13, 2007 -- The campaign manager for Rudy Giuliani's successful mayoral re-election has defected and is now supporting Democratic rival Hillary Clinton for president, The Post has learned.

... Reiter was a leader in the Liberal Party whose votes helped Republican Giuliani defeat Democratic incumbent David Dinkins by a razor-thin margin to become mayor in 1993. Reiter still says Giuliani was a "great mayor" who "fundamentally changed" New York City for the better and was "terrific to work for." She cited his administration's success in cutting crime, improving the quality of life and bolstering the business climate by slashing taxes.

But Reiter - who is now a registered Democrat - complained he has fundamentally shifted his positions on key social issues like abortion and gun control and called his health-care plan "appalling."

"He took a political turn to the right - clearly. It's a much more ideological agenda," Reiter said. "The progressive views he took he's backed away from."

http://www.nypost.com/seven/09132007/news/regionalnews/former_giuliani_aide_flips_to_.htm

Comment: Fran Reiter is very well known in NYC and worked the media with great skill here when she was on Rudy's side in the 1997 campaign; this won't help Rudy in New York if it comes down to a Rudy/Hilly race. Also, more evidence that Giuliani would be lucky to win NY whomever we nominate if he winds up as the nominee.