Queasy Giuliani Faithful Ask For Truth On Trips

[brooklynite]

Source: The New York Observer

Rudy Giuliani’s supporters are unsettled.

“Yeah, I’m starting to have second thoughts,” said Garry Biniecki, the undersheriff of Sanilac County in Michigan, whom the Giuliani campaign recently rolled out as a “Michigan Leader.”

Mr. Biniecki said that his support for the former mayor originally stemmed from Mr. Giuliani’s performance on Sept. 11, but he described himself as “a little gun shy” after all the recent coverage: stories about the indictment of his former Police Chief Bernard Kerik, and then, last week, an unflattering report about the ways in which Mr. Giuliani’s administration accounted for his personal security expenses.

“It doesn’t sit well,” Mr. Biniecki said. “And then you wonder what else there is.”

Read more: http://www.observer.com/2007/queasy-giuliani-faithful-ask-truth-trips

[yellowcanine]

1. Wow, still weeks to go before the first caucus/primary and Rudy fatigue is setting in already.

Not good at all for the ghoulmeister. This story has been mishandled from day one, probably because there is no good way to handle a story like this except to shout "mea culpa" and plead for forgiveness. "It was wrong, I will pay it all back, whatever." Only chance he had but it is gone now. Instead there was this:

"He said the documents ultimately showed that the accounting was filtered through the other city agencies in an effort to expedite the payment of travel expenses to vendors."

Uh huh. Believe that and could I interest you in this fine bridge over here? Wonderful view of the New York City skyline.

[yardwork]

2. I think that Romney was always intended to be the nominee.

"The family" let Rudy run because he insisted, and they knew that his past would keep him from getting the nomination, as long as it got leaked the right way.

It clears the way for Romney, JEB Bush's choice.

[MADem]

5. If Romney keeps getting in trouble with the Guatamalan Sanctuary Mansion business,

and the Big Dig Kickback Scandals, and the Run Like Hell When a Disaster Hits Your State realities, well, it could be that the nod goes to the old soldier (sailor, if ya wanna be accurate) from the Last Wars...McCain.

McCain has been vetted six ways to Sunday. His flaws are KNOWN, asked and answered. Anything they have to say about him in terms of banking scandals, shitty to his first wife, second wife a pill thief, all of that is OLD news.

It could be McCain. Right now, he's not the fair haired boy, but at least the shit sticking to him is dried and old, and no longer stinks.

Ya just never know.

[annabanana]

8. Jeb wants Romney? Do they have 'dealings'?

This is news to me.

[yardwork]

23. I read some months ago that the Bush family - notably JEB - was pushing Romney.

I'm sure that they have dealings.

Romney worries me. He is young, "attractive" in that smarmy Republican way, has a large devoted family, no divorces, and was governor. He can carry the entire state of Utah and would undoubtedly get support in MA even with the scandals. He's also very pro-torture and says what the neocons want to hear.

[robbedvoter]

11. I think so too - because Mitt is more of an empty suit. Rudy is unpredictable

and hard to control.

[speedoo]

3. Oh there's a TON more, Mr. Biniecki.

Just google Wayne Barrett.

[underpants]

16. al-Thani

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/underpants/109

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=2368055&mesg_id=2368055

Three weeks after 9/11, when the roar of fighter jets still haunted the city’s skyline, the emir of gas-rich Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifah al-Thani, toured Ground Zero. Although a member of the emir’s own royal family had harbored the man who would later be identified as the mastermind of the attack—a man named Khalid Sheikh Muhammad, often referred to in intelligence circles by his initials, KSM—al-Thani rushed to New York in its aftermath, offering to make a $3 million donation, principally to the families of its victims. Rudy Giuliani, apparently unaware of what the FBI and CIA had long known about Qatari links to Al Qaeda, appeared on CNN with al-Thani that night and vouched for the emir when Larry King asked the mayor: “You are a friend of his, are you not?”

Abdallah al-Thani remains a named defendant in the 9/11 lawsuits that are still proceeding in Manhattan federal court, but his Washington lawyers declined to address the charges that he shielded KSM, insisting only that he never “supported” any “terrorist acts.” Asked if Abdallah al-Thani ever supported any terrorists rather than their acts, his lawyer David Nachman declined to comment further. The Congressional Research Service report summarized the evidence against him: “According to the 9/11 Commission Report and former U.S. government officials, royal family member and current Qatari Interior Minister, Sheikh Abdullah (Abdallah) bin Khalid Al Thani, provided safe harbor and assistance to Al Qaeda leaders during the 1990s,” including KSM. While numerous accounts have named Abdallah as the KSM tipster, the report simply says that “a high ranking member of the Qatari government” is believed to have “alerted” KSM “to the impending raid.”

In other words, as incredible as it might seem, Rudy Giuliani—whose presidential candidacy is steeped in 9/11 iconography—has been doing business with a government agency run by the very man who made the attacks on 9/11 possible. Read on…

[Hugin]

17. Have I mentioned, 911?

Well?

[underpants]

18. Hmm wassss that????

[OHdem10]

4. Do you think in the end, McCain will be last man standing

and therefore Republican Candidate?? Eleanor Clift wrote
a piece on this.

[MADem]

6. I've been shopping that theory for awhile. I think it's as likely a possibility as anything.

One thing about Presidential politics, those 'sure things' sometimes aren't so sure.

And with all of the ass-kissing McCain has done, he's sure as fuck EARNED the slot--or at least I'm guessing he feels that way...after all, he may be a prostitute, but he's done his sucking up and now he wants his pay--he isn't running a charity, after all!

[robbedvoter]

12. I doubt. The Bushies don't like him - no matter how much groveling he does

[DCKit]

7. Why don't the Republics ever get heartbroken running from one candidate to another...

after another, and another?

They're like silly young girls, falling in love, being disappointed, crushing on another boy, finding out he's a mimbo, stomping off....

No wonder they end up with candidates like 43* - Their self esteem is totally trashed and they're SETTLING like an ugly girl who puts out for the first boy who pays attention to her.

The issues these people have.

[boricua79]

9. oh screw them faithful

gullible asshats who are now having cold feed.

In the words of George Carlin..."fuck em.........fuck 'em".

[robbedvoter]

13. Indeed. I bet none of them is from NYC either.

[DeepModem Mom]

10. K&R

[progressoid]

14. Damn I hope Rudy doesn't burn out too quickly.

He's such fun to watch. It's kinda like watching those home videos where you know the kid is going to crack his nuts trying to skate board down the handrail. :o

[speedoo]

20. Yes!! Great visual, there.

And I agree completely, it's fun to watch Rudy implode.

[tridim]

15. "I’m starting to have second thoughts"

Right off the bat, that statement is the twisting of the dagger.

Rudy is done.

Did any freaking repukes have second thoughts about Bush in 04? If not, why?

[Rambis]

19. He is a phony prick

surprise surprise! the guy was hiding from his wife and his girlfriend at the apartment of his mistress. Honesty is not part of the Guilliani character or moral fiber.

[dysfunctional press]

21. You can't handle the truth!...

[Javaman]

22. so this is the first major flame out, who's next? nt