With Friends Like These ...

I liked Rudy Giuliani as New York City Mayor. Though he was an abrasive authoritarian, his competence really turned Gotham around. I'm beginning to think that it's time for him to enjoy his retirement. He is out-Trumping Trump, saying things that I think would even make The Donald himself wince. On Sunday, he told ABC that Trump would do better as President "than a woman." While slamming Hillary Clinton for her husband's infidelity, he justifies cheating by males with an "Everybody does it" excuse on NBC. He is also calling The Donald a "genius" for what might be two decades of tax evasion.

Giuliani To Visit Bethlehem

Former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani will be at the LEHIGH VALLEY VICTORY CENTER for a Mitt Romney rally on Monday.

TIME: 4:15 PM
WHEN: Monday November 5th
WHERE: Lehigh Valley Victory Center, Westgate Mall, 2285 Schoenersville Rd
Bethlehem, PA 18017

Bennett Camp Snarks Giuliani's 9/11 Leadership

2,603 lives were lost at the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center on 9/11. Some lived here in the Lehigh Valley.

Just two blocks away from the South Tower, NY Mayor Rudy Giuliani had just lost some close friends. Yet he walked two miles until he could find a phone that worked and called the media to urge calm. In the days that followed, he was an oasis of trust in a desert of uncertainty. On 9/12, there was garbage pickup. On 9/13, city paychecks were issued. In a little over a week, the stock market was back in action.

He reassured us. He also consoled us, attending as many as five funerals in a single day.

This is the man who came to the LV on Friday to urge support for Charlie Dent and John McCain. While he was here, talking about the importance of this area and Pennsylvania, the Bennett campaign issued a mean-spirited news release that slams Giuliani's 9/11 leadership and the significance of that sad day.

ALLENTOWN – Months after Republican incumbent Charles Dent backed one of the most embarrassing campaigns in Presidential primary history, he has called on former Mayor Rudy Giuliani to bring his political acumen to the 15th District.

“While Republican Congressman Dent is in Washington playing political catch up on a rescue plan, Giuliani’s law firm is advising corporate clients on how to profit from it,” says Gary Ritterstein, Bennett Communications Director. “It’s pretty telling that the biggest draw that Dent could get is a former Republican candidate that couldn’t even win one primary in all 50 states. The Lehigh Valley voters want more than just ‘a noun, a verb, and 9-11.’”

During the 2008 Republican Convention, the only concern Giuliani mentioned about Democrats was that they didn’t mention the September 11th attacks enough. Since that point, his law firm, Bracewell & Giuliani LLP, formed a corporate task force to help “financial institutions, private investment funds, and institutional investors” take advantage of new legislation.

Ritterstein must not know this, but 9/11 was a terrible day here in the Lehigh Valley. Many of us were directly affected. The Bennett camp's needless snark at this tragedy is in very poor taste. I complained, but Ritterstein refuses to speak to me on the record.

Actually, I'm not looking for a comment from him. I'm looking for one from Sam Bennett, condemning his divisive remarks.

Rudy Giuliani: How Pennsylvania Goes, So Goes the Nation

In a sign of the importance the Lehigh Valley plays to Republicans in this year's Presidential contest, an energetic Rudy Giuliani dropped in on campaign volunteers and a raucous crowd of several hundred Dent and McCain supporters late Friday afternoon. He first encouraged volunteers working a phone bank buried inside the Westgate Mall, and then stepped outside to greet his fans. After a brief speech, he hurled himself into them, signing autographs and shaking hands.

From there, he even met the press (and one blogger).

"Sarah Palin scored a big victory last night," he boasted, portraying McCain and Palin as reformers who try to straighten problems out. "I'm also here for Charlie Dent. He's one of the most effective members of Congress. Sometimes, when he's your Congressman, you don't realize how important and effective he is. He's one of the hardest working people in Congress. He's done a very good job for this District. He had to cast a very tough vote over the past couple of days. I think he came through for us."

Giuliani predicts that if John McCain wins in Pennsylvania, "he'll be the next president of the United States. . . . If you can swing this state, you get the necessary electoral votes to win." He explained that swinging Pennsylvania would mean that some other close states, like Ohio, are swinging as well.

"I think we all realize this is a battleground state."

Giuliani called Obama one of the least qualified persons to run for president in the last hundred years. "He's never run a city, never run a state, never run a business, never run a military unit."

"At a time like this, you've got to with someone who's been tested by crisis, and John McCain has been tester by crisis over and over again."

"We also need someone who can work in a bi-partisan way. John McCain, probably more than any other senator, has worked more with the other party. In fact, he's worked so often with Democrats that he sometimes gets criticized. John is known for that. We need someone who can work on both sides of the aisle and bring us together."

"Barack Obama, you have to respect him for his beliefs, but he has been a very partisan Democrat."

Given an opportunity to ask a question myself, I did.

"You're known as America's mayor who cleaned the thugs out of New York City. But they all came to Allentown. How are we going to get rid of them?"

Laughing, he told me he'd give me some recommendations, and whispered "passenger rail" in my ear.

In a news release, the Bennett camp belittles America's Mayor. “It’s pretty telling that the biggest draw that Dent could get is a former Republican candidate that couldn’t even win one primary in all 50 states. The Lehigh Valley voters want more than just ‘a noun, a verb, and 9-11.’”

Oh yeah, it also repeats Michael Moore's claim that Giuliani's law firm is trying to cash in on our Wall Street meltdown.

Dent's Giuliani Endorsement

I have a press release from Congressman Charlie Dent, endorsing Rudy Giuliani for president. I first saw the endorsement yesterday in Keystone Politics, but now I have Dent's actual statement to share with you.

It is with deep conviction and tremendous pride that I announce my support for Mayor Rudy Giuliani to become the 44th President of the United States.

Rudy Giuliani successfully led New York City and became known as “America’s Mayor” because of his dynamic approach to tackling the challenges facing America’s largest city. Rudy Giuliani is a tax-cutter, a crime fighter and a great leader. During his time as Mayor, Rudy Giuliani moved hundreds of thousands of people away from the dependence of welfare checks to the dignity of paychecks. He exalts and exemplifies the spirit of free enterprise and knows that a limited government, a less burdensome government best serves the people of America.

Both during and in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks on America, Rudy Giuliani was a pillar of strength and resolute in his actions. His leadership, compassion and resolve during this very painful moment in our nation’s history helped guide New York City and all of America through this supreme national emergency.

Rudy Giuliani is a leader. He offers exactly what America needs as we look forward to meeting the numerous challenges we will face in the future.

I am eager to begin his campaign in Pennsylvania today and I am excited to serve as one of his Pennsylvania Coordinators.

Dent, an alternative energy advocate, serves as co-chair of the House Hydrogen and Fuel Cell caucus.