Giuliani ducks questions about story he misused public funds as mayor: "Full-on media scrum"

[DeepModem Mom]

Source: CNN

OKATIE, South Carolina (CNN) – A normally tranquil retirement community became the scene of a full-on media scrum on Friday as Rudy Giuliani ducked questions about his about possible misuse of public funds during his second term as New York City mayor.

Despite attempts by Giuliani staffers to stop them, nearly a dozen cameramen and several more reporters followed Giuliani and asked questions about the controversy as he shook hands with the audience after a town hall meeting here, his first campaign stop since the billing story broke on Wednesday afternoon.

Asked by one reporter about the controversy, Giuliani said only, "We've already explained it," and hastily kept moving. Still, the press kept following Giuliani, standard practice on the campaign trail when candidates shake hands and depart venues after their events.

The mayor's usually accommodating staff furiously – and in some cases physically – tried keep reporters away from Giuliani as he walked away, jostling with cameramen and photographers from local and national media organizations in attendance....

Read more: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2007/12/01/giuliani-ducks-questions-at-campaign-stop/

[LiberalFighter]

1. What is CNN doing? Paying people $3 an hour that don't know the English language?

Rudy Giuliani ducked questions about his about possible misuse

[DeepModem Mom]

5. Or they're not paying copy editors. Still, this "Ticker" section they publish...

is a pretty valuable daily selection of political articles.

[maddezmom]

2. Giuliani’s Top 10 ‘Shag Fund’ excuses — and why they’re wrong

~snip~

Indeed, I’ve come up with a Top 10 list.

1. The story “isn’t true” — At Wednesday’s debate, Giuliani said Smith’s article “isn’t true.” There’s been no follow-up to explain why he doesn’t think the story is true; he simply wants to assert it.

2. The premise of the story isn’t true — Giuliani adviser Anthony Carbonetti said yesterday that the “premise of the original story has been proven false.” I’m not exactly sure what this means, but both the story and its “premise” remain very much intact, and Team Giuliani hasn’t offered a shred of evidence to the contrary.

3. Giuliani was trying to help the NYPD — Why did Giuliani hide his Shag Fund bills in the budgets of the Loft Board and the Office for People With Disabilities? According to Giuliani, to help the cops get paid faster. New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly has debunked this argument completely.

4. This is “old news” — Yesterday, Giuliani aides said these revelations are “old news,” which necessarily minimize their significance. First, the billing scandal made headlines on Wednesday, which is pretty “new” news. Second, Giuliani is running for president based on what he did in office. If he wants us to consider his record, are we really supposed to overlook the scandalous parts? By that logic, aren’t his accomplishments from NYC also “old news”? Besides, this defense might have been more effective if Giuliani had answered questions when they first arose in 2001 and 2002, instead of stonewalling investigators.

5. “We’ve already explained it” — As the questions become more intense, Giuliani would only tell reporters yesterday, “We’ve already explained it.” If that were true, there wouldn’t be so many questions. (Note to Rudy: nonsensical rationalizations that have already been debunked do not count as an “explanation.”)

more:http://www.thecarpetbaggerreport.com/archives/13775.html

[DeepModem Mom]

6. Thanks for posting, maddezmom! They are in full-squirm. nt

[maddezmom]

9. the headline is so great I just had to post it

and the details are even better. :hi:

[yardwork]

11. Hey, that approach always works for bushco!

[Beetwasher]

3. It's Metastasizing-400k Prepayment To Amex Used To Pay COPS To WALK NATHAN'S DOG!!!

--snip--

The Shag Fund not only paid for the 11 tryst visits to Hamptons.

-- It paid for hotel and other expenses for mayoral aides -- in addition to the security detail -- who also went with the mayor to the Hamptons on the tryst weekends.

-- Nathan's NYPD-chauffeured trips (without Rudy) to visit her parents in Pennsylvania, 130 outside the city.

-- NYPD detectives and city-owned undercover Dodge to drive Nathan around the city.

-- NYPD security detail for Nathan, personally approved by Bernard Kerik.

-- NYPD cops to walk Nathan's dog.

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/060009.php

[DeepModem Mom]

7. OMG! Thanks for posting, Beetwasher! nt

[napi21]

14. "it's fiscally responsible to anticipate predictable expenses and prepay them." ????

WHAT???? I never woked in gov't, but I was Dir. of Acctg. for MANY YEARS, and the rule is YOU NEVER PREPAY AND EXPENSE! Expenses all must be documented to validate their purpose, and approved by he proper authority! What kind of BS is this idiot trying to pawn off on the public?

The visits OUTSIDE THE CITY are flat out WONG, but the one that really takes the cake is "walking Judy's dog!"

I can name 3 senior executives I've known in my career who've been fired for doing much LESS than Rudy did!

[niceypoo]

4. I knew it! I knew it!

Perhaps he should blame his Mafia pal Bernie Kerik, or maybe he can shrug it off and claim, "Doggie done it."

[gratuitous]

8. A noun, a verb, and 9/11

Hey, you media puppies! Get in line. Quit shoving and quit asking hard kweschuns. No turkee for you.

[ixion]

10. following the neocon playbook: when confronted with the truth, attack the messenger

:eyes:

[Truthiness Inspector]

12. How exactly has he "already explained it"? n/t

[LiberalFighter]

13. Are you going to question the man who was mayor of NYC on 9/11?

[HuffleClaw]

15. "in some cases physically – tried keep reporters away"

had this been the staff of ANY democrat candidate we'd be hearing about 'assault' and 'impending charges'...

[rodeodance]

16. typical response from a Repug!!!!!

[Carrieyazel]

17. Ghouliani really reeks. But Shrub did too. My bet is that the shameless Repukes select him.

[boricua79]

18. good..keep asking...

and don't let up until the candidate is forced to give a better answer other than, "as far as I know, everything was done appropriately". If they're pushing reporters away, they have something to hide.

[sam sarrha]

19. that is Shadillic Rudy.... duck and cover from 'Shag Gate'.. >Link>>

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/12/1/03011/3077

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/060009.php

[DeepModem Mom]

20. Thanks for the links, sam sarrha! nt