Rudy was doing a series of events in Iowa today. The Real Sporer was at the Embassy Suites event in downtown Des Moines. Rudy’s current tour is apparently devoted to a detailed discussion of Rudy’s 12 principles of leadership.
Today’s topic was fiscal discipline. The presentation was unusually detailed and erudite and, most certainly, not the usual political stump speech. Rudy’s ideas are a mix of traditional Republican notions of tax reduction and limitation with very novel, at least when applied to government, ideas of fiscal discipline. Rudy’s novel and creative approaches to fiscal discipline include:
1. Divide the budget into capital and operational components
.2. Apply generally accepted accounting principles to the federal budget process.
3. Require by law a fiscal impact statement for all legislation before it comes to a floor vote.
4. Require all ear mark projects to bear the name of the sponsoring member of Congress before it subject to a floor vote.
5. Reduce the federal civilian labor force by 21% by only replacing half of the expected retirees between now and January 21, 2017.
Rudy continues to follow the Reagan model of focusing on the Democrats and speaking no evil of his Republican opponents. Rudy gave perhaps the best example of the gross Democrat hypocrisy-and God’s knows there are many great examples from which to choose-in his discussion of earmarks. While the Democrats promised earmark reform and railed against Republican fiscal irresponsibility in the campaign, in Congress they have already this year alone approved 36,000 earmarks. In all of 2006 the Republican Congress approved only roughly 10,000. I suppose a projected 700% increase in spending earmarks is the change in direction the Dems described in the campaign.
The specificity and creativity of Rudy’s approach, including the “liberal” use of graphic aids in a power point presentation, help explain his continuing popularity as the campaign continues to unfold. This is the third time I’ve seen Rudy live and he is one candidate who appears about the same on national TV as he does in person. Today’s presentation was both personable and informative.
The room was set for 176 people. There were probably 140-150 in attendance, exclusive of Giuliani staff and media but inclusive of uncommitted party apparatchiks like the Real Sporer. Chairman Ray Hoffman was there, showing an absence of hard feelings over Rudy’s Iowa snub and providing Iowa’s outstanding hospitality to Team Rudy. The entire Giuliani staff appeared, including state chair Paul Pate and co chairs Maggie Tinsman and Joy Corning. It was great to see KC Jones and Kevin Shuvalov-a dangerous Texas twosome-from the Bush ‘04 team working Iowa again.
It appears that Rudy is trying to do what has never been done before, win the Caucuses without participating in the Straw Poll. Rudy has certainly blazed trails before and it remains to be seen if he will be the Pathfinder yet again.
15 comments:
I can think of one way to practice fiscal conservatism...end the hundreds of millions of dollars in subsidies that baby-killers like Planned Parenthood get from taxpayers every year.
I'm wondering if Rudy "fiscal conservative" Giuliani would accomodate that suggestion?
So i hear Rudy's 12 points of leadership don't include any mention of Iraq.
WTF? Iraq doesn't make the list of 12 top concerns? Does he need to make a longer list?
No wonder he blew off the Iraq Study Group. He doesn't want to get too specific. Just keep repeating TERRORISTS TERRORISTS TERRORISTS. That oughta get him thru.
Rudy's fiscal conservatism will fall by the wayside when he finds out he has to pay for his social programs.
To some degree I am concerned about Polk County Chairman The Real Sporer attending the now Jim Nussle-less Giuliani campaign event. But it was in your hometown.
I know I am concerned that the chairman was there. Like a TIMEX .... he takes a screwing and keeps on ticking. It will look good in the RG press releases that the RPI chairman was there.
In fairness to Ted, and not that he needs me of all people defending him, it should also be noted that Ted was at the opening to Gov. Huckabee's downtown Des Moines campaign office last week, too.
However, I have a sneaking suspicion that Rudy's version of heathen conservativism appeals to Mr. Sporer. :-)
Maybe Sporer is gunning for Nussle's spot in the campaign????
I have not been offered a position with the Giuliani campaign. While I would politely listen and could greatly help that campaign it is unlikely I would accept.
The Real Sporer is a Republican Regular-rank and file like my mother before me and her father before her.
Thanks for adding some reality Steve. I try to attend every Presidential event to which I am invited in Central Iowa, especially in Des Moines and greater Polk County. Its both a necessary part of the job and the kind of courtesy that brings people back to Iowa.
I’m pretty sure that joining up with Rudy would be incompatible with Ted’s friendship/political alliance with Steve Scheffler. Besides, as the guy at RPI who is charged with establishing the organization of the straw poll, Ted was screwed just as badly by Rudy’s decision to ditch the event as anyone else.
I would highly doubt that Ted’s presence as Rudy’s event was anything more than a simply display of fairness as the Polk County Chairman. As Steve mentions, he was at the Huckabee HQ opening, and he has also attended events for Brownback and Tommy Thompson. Does that mean he’s going to join the state leadership for them too? Probably not, he’s just doing his job and being fair to anyone willing to invite him to their events.
Was Rudy wearing a suit or a dress?
Its beyond me why Ray Hoffmann would give this event and Mr. Giuliani's campaign the time of day...
good to see that rudy could care less about iowa...yet again. showing up an hour late for your own event? why does he think he is so much better than everybody else?
http://blogs.dmregister.com/?cat=33/
Ron Paul is the only guy worth voting for. Rudy knows he is beat bad in the heartland. He will try to capitalize on the Northeast. I vote we end their geographic tyranny.
Ron Paul should not only drop out of the race, he should resign from congress (or at least change parties) given that he blames America for 9-11. I bet Ron Paul will be by Michael Moore's side on the red carpet at the SICKO premiere too.
But hey, Ron Paul is actually polling better than Tommy Thompson though.
WAR Uncle Ted, Uncle Ted's hot spouse, Cedar Waxwing, KenRichards and Yoda.
I commend Ted for supporting Giuliani by attending the Rudy event in Des Moines in The Real Sporer's backyard. This is especially honorable since The Mayor really did no favors to the Iowa GOP by skipping the Straw Poll and to all Iowans by undercutting our "First In The Nation" by doing so. How far is it from Sioux City to Des Moines??
Will New York City politics play in Iowa?? Time will tell.
In view of the recent defections, I have intentionally tried to show my support of all the viable candidates who are participating in the Straw Poll. I experienced something this week that has really puzzled me and I would greatly appreciate any clarification that I may gather.
On Monday 6/18/07, I received an email from Iowans For Brownback. The email outlined the 4 day 27 city bus tour. Even though no details were provided, I took Wednesday afternoon off thinking I could support Senator Brownback with my attendance in my hometown and possibly two neighboring cities, since they were listed as part of the Wednesday itinerary. I was also positive that I could "find out" the details.
After four phone calls and two emails and I still was NEVER able to determine where Senator Brownback was going to be appearing in Cedar Falls, Waverly and Grundy Center. Does anyone know why the detailed information was not provided?? Surely attendance could have been enhanced with more effective and detailed communication.
Karl Gilbertson
State Central Committee
1st District
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