Rudy Giuliani Seeking the Presidency

Can former New York City mayor, Rudy Giuliani, transformed himself from America's mayor to America's President? That was the big question when Giuliani announced his candidacy for President. He has a long and hard road in front of him as he seeks the Republican nomination. Giuliani has strengths and weaknesses, like all of the other candidates, but can these strengths outweigh his weaknesses to even give Giuliani a chance to win the GOP nomination that he is seeking?

Giuliani was a pillar of strength during the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. It wasn't just New York City that looked to him for strength and resolve but also the country. It was his ability to take charge and to do what needed to be done, whether it was going down to the site of the World Trade Center rubble and taking command of the operation, to giving passionate speeches at the right times. All one needs to do is look at New Orleans Mayor, Ray Nagin, and Hurricane Katrina, to see how a bad situation can be turned into a horrible catastrophe. Giuliani was hard nosed when he had to be and his popularity has never actually waned from those days in September 2001. There are many that still hold Giuliani as the face of September the 11^th. If he can hold on to that celebrity status long enough he could get the nomination he is looking for.

Giuliani is very pro-limiting government, in a sense making government smaller. He is a big supporter of not only cutting taxes but also reducing and limiting government spending. Given the past six years of free spending Republicans, that could prove to be a huge deciding factor for many Americans.

Giuliani does have his weaknesses as well and those will, unquestionably, come under tense scrutiny. His Mayoral terms in New York City was not without scandals. He was accused of backing a police force that was becoming overzealous in two racially charged cases and whether or not he violated civil rights in regards to shutting down porn shops in Times Square. There is also the scrutiny of his current marriage to his third wife Judith Nathan. Questions arose whether or not the relationship began while Giuliani was still married to his second wife, Donna Hanover. On May 10, 2000, Giuliani announced his separation from Hanover but hadn't informed her of his decision. There are several other weaknesses like his support for issues such as abortion and gay rights that might go against the GOP platform. He also might invite criticism from the National Rifle Association for his pro stance on gun control.

While Giuliani may have work to do on making Americans look past his weaknesses and to look harder at his strengths he has some strong positives to offer America as President. One thing for sure, he still has the resolve he had on September 11, now if he can ride that resolve into the Oval Office is yet to be known.