Rudy's California Dreamin'

Political Players: Giuliani Supporter Rep. David Dreier Discusses Campaign '08

(CBS) 

CBSNews.com: As I've talked to a number of social conservative leaders, some of whom are supporters and some not, they keep coming back to the fact that he cross-dressed a lot as mayor of New York. And that when he was going through a divorce, he lived with an openly gay couple, that he supports gay rights. Do you think that will hurt him in Republican primaries?

David Dreier: I really don't. I mean, people know this guy was mayor of New York. The city was five to one, Democrat to Republican. And he has a great sense of humor. And you know, he is, from my perspective, very libertarian in his views, which I believe happens to be the core view that Republicans have.

He's made it clear that he believes marriage should be between a man and a woman. That's where he is on this. But he's a supporter of the notion of civil unions. George W. Bush is in that exact same position on this issue.

And I will say that the notion of cross dressing, good heavens. I mean, it was all a skit. I told people to relax a bit and realize that having someone who has a great sense of humor is a healthy good thing for our country.

CBSNews.com: The one thing that a lot of Democrats and Republicans do agree on is that the public is going to want a change next year, that the public is in a change mood. What policies would a President Giuliani change from President Bush?

David Dreier: Well, he's not running against President Bush. He's running to build on the record that President Bush has. And I think that if you look at his vision for reducing the size and scope of government, keeping economic growth going, I think that he's going to pick that up.

And frankly, while there is a sense of change and everybody is looking for the issue of change in Washington and all, we got change in last November's election. And the American people are suffering with buyer's remorse I believe when you look at Nancy Pelosi and the Democratic Congress.

So I think that what's going to happen is a lot of people are going to be able to see that Rudy Giuliani is going to be strong. And is that a change from where we are right now? Well, I think it's certainly a change from a Democratic Congress. And I think that's the kind of change they're going to look for.

CBSNews.com: And my final question is about your home state of California. It hasn't gone for a Republican for president since 1988. One of the arguments that a lot of supporters of Giuliani's use is that he would put states in play that Republicans couldn't compete in for a long time, like New Jersey and Connecticut on the East Coast, California on the West Coast. What do you think it is about Giuliani that makes a lot of people who voted Democratic in the past consider voting for him?

David Dreier: I describe it as a trifecta that he has. He's a man of ideas. And in his autobiography, he talks about the fact that, when he graduated from college, he talked about putting out a shingle saying "Philosophers At Large". He spends a lot of time thinking about ideas.

He's a superb manager. I don't need to go through the litany of things that he did in New York City. You know that very, very well, going from the cover of Time magazine in 1990 which described the place as the “Rotting Apple,” to the “Big Apple Is Back,” with fireworks on the cover of Time magazine when he completed his term as mayor.

But also, he demonstrated that he's a leader. So, he's a man of ideas. A superb manager. And an inspiring leader. And those three things have attracted support of conservative Republicans all across the country. And he is the one who can in fact draw support from Democrats in California.

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David Dreier has represented California's 26th Congressional District since 1981. He became Chairman of the powerful House Rules Committee in 1999 and temporarily assumed the responsibilities of House Majority Leader in 2005. He authored both the 1995 House reform package that followed the Republican take-over, and major ethics reform legislation in 2006. Dreier also served as California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's campaign co-chair and head of his transition team.

[toldyouso21]

"He''s made it clear that he believes marriage should be between a man and a woman. That''s where he is on this"

Nope, that POS made it clear that to him a marriage should be between him, his wife and kids AND several mistresses--and conservative that he is--they should all live together in the same house. so a transvestite who loves women, has no honor or respect for marriage and loves ***--yep--between him and Craig--the Republicans should never be allowed to campaign on family values again. EVER.

Rudy Guiliani--the McCain of Family values.

[starleo146]

Did anyone see Rudy making his speech to the NRA and his cell phone rings and it is his wife, He says," he is making a speech at the Nra and I will see you at home." "Do you want to talk to them," he asks Oh O.k. I love you, Oh have a safe trip, I love you. What the heck was that all about was it suppose show his love, that he better answer the *** phone or else What!!!

[sftodd]

Keep dreaming, Rudy, those of us who are paying attention still remember how you walked all over and wiped your feet on the First Amendment while you were Mayor -- Blue State people, unlike Red State people, remember your pre-911 sins.

[kid_keenan]

Mr. David Dreier,
A Bamboozle is a betrayal.

What do you care about lost lives Mr. Dreier? I seem to recall, when you first ran for Congress against Jim Lloyd that you stated before the League of Women Voters you were for a peacetime military draft. As it would turn out, young constituents exposed on T.V. news, that your opponent was not just for a national service concept or just for registration only, but was on the House floor leading and calling for a draft. He was bold face lying and I guess he thought he would not get caught. And it may have something to do with losing to you. That lie is not the real news though. The real news was how quickly you changed your position to also being AGAINST a peacetime military draft. All this was within minutes of Lloyd''s being caught on T.V. before his younger constituents.

Now comes your cry, in light the moral difficulty you suffered over the drafting of young lives, that claims it was only a few %u201Cbad apple''s%u201D that are responsible for the torturing that has occurred in places like Abu Ghraib. With moral authority you say they should be tried and imprisoned if found guilty. At what point Mr. Dreier did you ever call witnesses under oath and investigate the nature of these criminal acts as Chairman of the Rules Committee. Were you really interested to find out if these young %u201Cheroes%u201D who fight in Iraq were innocent or guilty?

[leonh86]

He''s not only "California dreamin", he''s "New Jersey dreaming" and "Conneticut dreaming." Democrats want a Democrat elected in 2008. Registered Democrats are going to vote Democrat, period. He was going to lose the Senate race to Hillary in his home state before he stepped out, so how is he going to win blue states in the northeast and the west coast? He''ll do better than bush in the blue states, but he won''t win them. For every democratic vote he picks up, he''ll probably lose three republican votes. Good luck Ruby, i mean Rudy.........lol