Sssounds mean at first, to criticize a man for the way he talkssths. But speaking of mean, it would be irresponsible not to mention that Rudy Giuliani has a mean lisp. If you have watched the recent Republican primary debates, the former Mayor of New York has a very clear speech impediment. Iss that really important?          

     Perhaps. Can you imagine a rousing State of the Union address followed by “God Besss you all, and God Blessths America!” Rudy’s apparent misfortune may impede his ability to communicate in the Reaganesque style that all the republican candidates have been trying to capture. If Ronald Reagan were alive today though, Mr. Giuliani would be working on a more even playing field; namely in that every republican primary candidate has been kissing the great patriarch’s rear-end so fervently that their chapped lips would impair their pronunciation of the letter “s” as well.          

     To be honest, I do not really think it is Mr. Giuliani’s speech impediment that has been contributing to his confusing message. Its mostly his intricate mosaic of liberal and conservative views that seemed to have fused together as “America’s Mayor” began considering  a run for The White House. Nothing burns my republican blood quite the same as the prospect of America’s first pro-abortion, anti-second amendment, opponent of illegal immigration enforcement, republican  president.          

     Despite his recent attempts to appear interested in immigration reform, as mayor, Guliani thumbed his nose at the U.S. Supreme court when it ruled he was wrong in preventing N.Y. City employees from reporting illegal immigrants to the INS. In 1996, Giuliani said the “anti-immigration movement in America is one of our most serious public problems”. You might want to read that statement twice to take in the full meaning. If Mr. Giuliani meant that just legal immigration is desirable, I have no problem with that. But, if Rudy is in his heart of hearts a supporter of illegal immigration, I doubt he will demonstrate the necessary strength to bring about real immigration reform if elected President.  We desperately need meaningful immigration reform; reform that will include a complete securing of our southern border, and the moderation of both the “push” and “pull” factors that entice millions of Mexicans to enter our country illegally each year.          

     To be fair, Giuliani has shown strong leadership qualities post 9/11. He is serious about national safety. He is fiscally conservative, and claims judicial conservatism- though he nominated mostly liberals to the bench when serving as mayor of N.Y.C.  Despite his support of special rights for those involved in homosexuality, Giuliani does believe that traditional marriage should be preserved as the union of a man and a woman. He has a good sense of humor, and is decently charismatic.          

     All things taken together, Rudy Giuliani does not seem to be a real bad candidate for President when compared to democratic front runner Hillary Clinton, but neither is he a real good one if you are a supporter of conservative ideals. If we were to roll back the clock and pit Giuliani against John F. Kennedy, Kennedy would come out as the truer conservative.          

     One quality that made Ronald Reagan an effective speaker was his candid belief that “people respond to the truth.” If we want a public that will respond to our candidate, we may do better with increasingly popular Mitt Romney. Romney’s optomistic picture of America’s future includes capitalizing fully on emerging Asian markets, restoring family life as the center of American endeavor, and developing a comprehensive strategy for dealing with Iran. Romney’s recent statement about fellow Latter-day Saint Harry Reid was both Reaganesque and an intelligent piece of communication in its own right. Speaking of Reid’s recent “We have lost the war…” speech, Romney aptly quipped that if Reid “had been [at] Valley Forge, he’d have thrown in the white towel and we’d be singing as our national anthem “God Save the Queen.” -Now there’s an inconvenient truth!            

     Whoever the candidate for the GOP, America is in need of the kind of strong, optimistic, conservative leadership that only a proud Republican can provide. May “God Bless America” in 2008!- Even if that blessing comes in a sissomewhat diluted form, by the name of Rudolph Giuliani. I’m hoping for more!