It could be a combination of all those things. But I don't think it's surprising that he wouldn't run - he was only tempted by Paterson's weakness. The man has no interest in any kind of competitive or difficult election - he only wanted a cakewalk (as Paterson would have been). He is not remotely in the mix for the 2012 presidential nomination, has no interest in actually governing NY State (though, thanks to term limits being extended, he could run for mayor in 2013, god help us all), and can't handle another embarrassing loss. Kornacki had a good piece on Rudy's options in the Observer. [www.observer.com]
Oh also - Kerik's conviction doesn't exactly remove the political liability for Rudy. The guy was his choice for Sec. of Homeland Security and his longtime business partner.
@Peter Feld: Without term limits being extended, couldn't he have run again this time? I find it hard to believe that he would want to be Mayor again, nor do I think he would have much chance at winning that election.
@kneetoe: You're right, he could have - but he wouldn't have challenged Bloomberg (for whom the term limits were lifted). I think he likes being the sheriff in this town and if he thought the field was weak in four years, he could be tempted by the idea of a comeback. As to whether he'd win, I suspect you are right but don't want to underestimate his loyal following.
@BaconCat: I'm with you on that one. I'm so sick of hearing him and other people talk about how great he was after 9/11. What was he going to do, run away? He did what any other mayor of a big city would do in the same situation. And let's not forget the fact that he let workers in Ground Zero when he knew it wasn't safe, and now a lot of people are paying the price with serious health problems. Personally I'll never forgive him for "cleaning up" Times Square. I prefer the Times Square of the '70s - hookers, peep shows, junkies and drugs to what's there now. Toys R Us, Virgin, TGI Fridays? WTF??
@fuckingoldman: Well, if you ask a lot of firemen they consider him the 20th hijacker because he ushed for motorola to win the new walkie-talkie contract after they contributed 150,000 bucks to his campaign. Only one problem with that:
The fire department told old Rudy that the motorolas didn't work inside buildings and that had been a problem in the first attack on WTC. So a whole shitload of firement never heard the command to get out of the second tower. How he sleeps at night, I'll never know. The man deserves nothing short of hot coals up the ass.
On the bright side, Rio (and Brazil in general) would likely have a significant amount of child-bearing age females who survive the flood and help to re-populate the world. #2012
It is beyond my imagination why anyone would camp out for a movie which will be in theaters for the next two months. I mean, can't you just see this thing any. time. you. want? It's not like a Bon Jovi concert or the friggin circus, it's sparkle chested vampires, CGI puppies, illicit heavy petting and over-agnsty teens with sun allergies and a penchant for major cinematic suckage. This you can partake in on a Sunday afternoon after cleaning out the gutters or never. #newmoon
11/19/09
[www.observer.com]
Oh also - Kerik's conviction doesn't exactly remove the political liability for Rudy. The guy was his choice for Sec. of Homeland Security and his longtime business partner.
11/19/09
11/19/09
#tips
11/19/09
11/19/09
11/19/09
11/19/09
11/19/09
The fire department told old Rudy that the motorolas didn't work inside buildings and that had been a problem in the first attack on WTC. So a whole shitload of firement never heard the command to get out of the second tower. How he sleeps at night, I'll never know. The man deserves nothing short of hot coals up the ass.
11/19/09
Edit: Nevermind, now I know he's the anchor on Good Morning America. Yeah, I can see why Giuliani wouldn't want to go up against him in an election.
11/19/09
11/19/09
I think he meant Andrew Cuomo. Chris is the good looking one. He has no interest in politics--just chasing tail.
11/19/09
#tips
11/19/09
11/19/09
11/19/09
11/19/09
11/19/09
11/19/09
11/19/09
[cityfile.com]
11/16/09
11/16/09
11/16/09
11/16/09
11/16/09
And the Middle East. Then it would have a happy ending. #2012
11/16/09
11/16/09
11/16/09
11/16/09
11/16/09