Home > Thinking Right > Archives > 2007 > June > 13
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Rudy’s dozen promises
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Rudy Giuliani, thought conservative by just 21 percent of Republicans polled by Rasmussen (compared to 42 percent for unannounced candidate Fred Thompson) hit what should be a home run with conservatives in a speech Tuesday in New Hampshire.
Giuliani, in his own version of a contract with America, declared 12 commitments, the details of which he will spell out as he campaigns across the country this summer. The dozen promises:
- To keep America on offense in the war on terrorism.
- To end illegal immigration, to secure the borders and to identify “every non-citizen in our country.”
- To restore fiscal discipline and cut wasteful spending.
- To cut taxes and reform the tax code.
- To impose accountability on Washington.
- To lead the nation to energy independence.
- To offer affordable and portable free-market solutions to health care.
- To increase adoptions and decrease abortions.
- To reform the legal system and appoint strict constructionist judges.
- To ensure that every community is prepared for natural disasters and terrorist attacks.
- To give parents school choice and access to a quality education for every child.
- To expand trade.
While not as specific as the Contract with America, it is a useful start. The nation really is tired of the old political games in Washington. A new L.A. Times/Bloomberg poll reveals that Congress has sunk to its lowest approval rating in more than a decade, at 27 percent. That’s down from 36 in January. Sixty-three percent of the country looks to Washington and sees business as usual on Capitol Hill.
Giuliani may not yet have broken through to the conservative base, but a candidate who can convince them that he will deliver on this one of those 12 commitments will jump to the head of the pack: “I will end illegal immigration, secure our borders, and identify every non-citizen in our nation.”
