Rudy: "Debate Day Dirty Trick"
Giuliani Tells Katie Couric Expenses Were Handled Above Board, Questions Report's Timing
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Giuliani Speaks Out
"Only on the Web": Giuliani lashes out at allegations he misused New York City taxpayer money when he was mayor...and whether there was an effort to cover up an extra-marital affair.
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Giuliani's Expense Mess
NYC tabloids are buzzing over allegations that Rudy Giuliani misappropriated tax money for his security and tried to hide it. He defends his actions in an interview to Katie Couric.
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Giuliani's Expense Scandal
Unusual billing accounts uncovered from Rudy Giuliani time as New York mayor suggest public dollars were used to finance travel related to his affair with Judith Nathan. Byron Pitts reports.
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Republican presidential hopeful Rudy Giuliani speaks with Katie Couric Nov. 29, 2007. (CBS)
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Photo Essay
Rudy Giuliani
September 11th made this combative New Yorker "America's Mayor." Will he also be America's president?
A report posted on Politico.com Wednesday said that at the time when Giuliani was beginning an extramarital relationship with Judith Nathan, who eventually became his third wife, he billed obscure city agencies thousands of dollars for his police security detail covering trips to visit Nathan.
But Giuliani insists that everything was done in the open, “honestly, honorably, above board.”
Katie Couric: We were talking earlier, Mayor Giuliani, about the scrutiny that you have to endure when you run for public office, so much scrutiny that it really turns a lot of people off from participating in the process and throwing their hat in the ring. You experienced this recently where all of the papers today, I couldn’t help but notice, are focused on your security detail, which you dealt with last night during the debate. But I am just curious, are you completely comfortable with the way it was handled and the way the billing was handled for example?
Rudy Giuliani: I was very comfortable with it and really upset that it was put out two hours before a debate with the suggestion that certain agencies were asked to bear the cost of my security. When you had a chance to look at it, it took about 3 to 4 hours to go through all of the records. The story turns out to be a totally false story. This practice was going on in my first term as mayor. It didn’t just happen in my second term as mayor. The police department paid for all of these expenses. But since the police department would sometimes be slow in payment. City Hall would pay it first, then the police department would reimburse every single penny of it. And now we’ve been able to confirm that. So this was really, I know what this was. This story is five years old. It came out two hours before a debate. It’s a typical political hit job with only half the story told … not that second part told … that every single penny was reimbursed … that all of this was public. All of this was discoverable. It was not done in a way that nobody could see it. But it was a typical - this particular case - it was sort of a debate day dirty trick.
Couric: But according to accounts, the bills were spread across, as you’re saying, several government agencies - from the NYC loft board to the office for people with disabilities. And one former New York budget director said today there’s no good reason to do this except to have nobody know about it …
Giuliani: He’s just wrong. And that’s probably a political opponent. The fact is, that by doing it that way, it was more discoverable. Had it been paid by the police department, it never would have been discovered because their records are security records and they can’t be discovered. The reality is: All those agencies that you’re talking about, all of it was fully reimbursed within that year. They’re all in the mayor’s office. This was a way of expediting payment. All of it on the record, all of it discoverable, all of it going on for five or six years. And perfectly appropriate and three budget directors have asserted that but of course the press doesn’t cover that.
Couric: Those three former budget directors have basically explained it according to the way you’re explaining it to me today.
Giuliani: Every single penny repaid. And the first version of the story does not make that clear.
Couric: Having said that, Mayor Giuliani, the report was on a political Web site. It wasn’t planted by your opposition and the records were gotten by a Freedom of Information Act so the notion of it somehow being a political "hit job," do you really believe that?
Giuliani: It comes out two hours before a debate when the story is five years old - so do I believe that? Of course I believe that. Do I know who did it? No, I don’t know who did it. Plenty of time for the story to come out but to wait until 3 or 4 o’clock in the afternoon of the day of the debate - and it was very, very artfully done because there’s a very good explanation for this … which is it took 24 hours to go find the people who did it who explained that every single penny was reimbursed. All of this was on the record. None of it was against other practices that were used in situations like this, but it took 24 hours to get that explanation so they’ll be more like this.
Couric: Do you think the motive behind this story is to raise questions about your character because it involves a situation that is quite frankly, you know, probably one you’re not all that proud of.
Giuliani: Look, did I expect it, yes. Did I expect exactly this one, no because it’s not true. And it took 12 to 14 hours to show that it’s not true. But they’ll be others like it.
Couric: You have an explanation. Obviously your explanation is quite different than the original report. How do you think this will affect your candidacy? Or the way people perceive you?
Giuliani: I think it will show that we do things honestly, honorably, above board. All of this is easily explained and all of this is easily discoverable. And none of it was hidden. It’s all there in records. And it is perfectly appropriate procedure. And the fact is, I had to have security. It wasn’t of my own desire. The reason I had to have security was because people have been threatening to kill me for quite some time going back to when I was a U.S. attorney. So I had 24-hour security. The records were handled in a way that they’re all discoverable. The police department ultimately paid for everything. Nobody was put out at all and from my point of view I prefer not to have security but this wasn’t done because I wanted to have security. It was done because there were definable threats to kill me going back to when I was a U.S. attorney.
Couric: When this came out mayor Giuliani, how did you feel?
Giuliani: You know I take it very professionally. I say, ok well, two hours before a debate, three hours before a debate.
Couric: Did it throw you at all during the debate?
Giuliani: No, I don’t think so; go look at the debate.
Couric: Well some have said they didn’t think it was your best debate.
Giuliani: I think it was a good debate. I think I did a really good job.
Couric: You didn’t really answer the question. You think it won’t matter in terms of the election itself - this story?
Giuliani: Of course not. I mean there’ll be 100 more stories … and we’ll see.
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See all 237 CommentsJust wait this is just the beginning, some tax payer in NY should sue the slime ball for taking there hard earned money and lavishing it on the women other than his wife that had *** with. Makes those 8 hours go a lot slower when you know you paying for the mistresses CAR SERVICE and the Cop driving%u2026%u2026..scum
most arrogant, incompetent%u2019 ever that%u2019s a Republican Sneaotrs view of the Bush regiem I owuld add corrupt and Rudy would be more of the same
Rudy is smart. He figured out a way to cheat on his wife and have a mistress and have the NYC taxpaper pay for all of it. As a Democrat, I desperately hope he gets to be the GOP nominee. Our guy/gal would have a field day with him.
You wouldn''t be so hypocritical as to now vote for this guy would you?
Katie Couric is a disgusting little Neo Conservative whatever rich2smit said***.
Wonder if it was from husbands and boyfriends of the trollips he was comitting taxpayer adultery with?
So would his ex-wives!
LOL
Go Romney!
You pretend to be a good man and you say you will care about society, mankind and the future generation and the kids. You really do care right?
Yet your own kids despise you? And you don''t even care about them either? They''re just kids right?
Is that a leadership quality?
Would you want to follow you?
Whats with the IF and ? Using tax payer money to fund booty calls and drive your girlfriend is wrong and it is unethical and it is a betrayal of the public trust and a violation of the Offices oath, words you never hear used by the Repugs on the RIGHT, ever.
And the receiver of the graft may actually be the one exposed to criminal prosecution as a non city official; the third Mrs. Rudy may want to hire another attorney.
you make lots of posts but offer only lies and insults, with no facts. typical "mind full of mush" anti-american liberal. just like gkc99.
where are the facts you liberals?
gkc99, it was perjury we wanted that criminal clinton impeached for. and lets not forget his phony war in bosnia. but you liberal liars have to make it about *** because its all you know. and to admit it was
about perjury kills your "bj" argument. so you liars will always say "bj" instead of perjury. you have to. its the only way to keep fooling yourselves.
hey pepperp1, your sick communist clinton was elected with less than half the vote and we all knew he was a womanizer and a rapists. that did not stop ignorant liberal women for voting for the scum named clinton. oh yeah, clinton isnt even his real name. did you know that pepperp1?
the swift boat vets have been proven right time after time. kerry refuses to open his medical records even though he promised to do so. but he cant because it will show the wounds were self inflicted. just another lie by another liberal anti-american liar.
what is more corrupt that taking campaign bribes from the communist chinese you libs? wanna answer that you anti-american libs?
you libs probably think thats OK because its good communist money right?
stinking, ignorant anti-american and UNPATRIOTIC liberals. you people are pathetic.
Fox news? What''s next? Do you want the Dems to debate for the National Enquirer too? At least the Dems aren''t afraid to debate in front of a black audience.
you make lots of posts but offer only lies and insults, with no facts. typical "mind full of mush" anti-american liberal. just like gkc99.
where are the facts you liberals?
gkc99, it was perjury we wanted that criminal clinton impeached for. and lets not forget his phony war in bosnia. but you liberal liars have to make it about *** because its all you know. and to admit it was
about perjury kills your "bj" argument. so you liars will always say "bj" instead of perjury. you have to. its the only way to keep fooling yourselves.
hey pepperp1, your sick communist clinton was elected with less than half the vote and we all knew he was a womanizer and a rapists. that did not stop ignorant liberal women for voting for the scum named clinton. oh yeah, clinton isnt even his real name. did you know that pepperp1?
the swift boat vets have been proven right time after time. kerry refuses to open his medical records even though he promised to do so. but he cant because it will show the wounds were self inflicted. just another lie by another liberal anti-american liar.
what is more corrupt that taking campaign bribes from the communist chinese you libs? wanna answer that you anti-american libs?
you libs probably think thats OK because its good communist money right?
stinking, ignorant anti-american and UNPATRIOTIC liberals. you people are pathetic.
Fraud, intimidation and bribery as Putin, er-a Clinton prepares for victory.
Clinton had a 65% approval rating when he left office. And Bush''s is what? 25%? Maybe 28%.
I just love the fact that Clinton was and still is many times more popular the chimp eats up the neocons.
Loved your message. I love liberals that act like totally crazy right-wing people just to make Conservatives look bad. Keep up the good work!
you make lots of posts but offer only lies. typical "mind full of mush" anti-american liberal. just like gkc99. gkc99, it was perjury we wanted that criminal clinton impeached for. lets not forget his phony war in bosnia. but you liberal liars have to make it about *** because its all you know. and to admit it was
about perjury kills your "bj" argument. so you liars will always say "bj" instead of perjury. its the only way to keep fooling yourselves. hey pepperp1, your communist clinton was elected with less than half the vote and we all knew he was a womanizer and a rapists. that did not stop ignorant liberal women for voting for the scum named clinton. oh yeah, clinton isnt even his real name. did you know that pepperp1? the swift boat vets have been proven right time after time. kerry refuses to open his medical records even though he promised to do so. but he cant because it will show the wounds were self inflicted. just another lie by another liberal anti-american liar.
what is more corrupt that taking campaign bribes from the communist chinese you libs? wanna answer that you anti-american libs? you libs probably think thats OK because its good communist money right?
stinking, ignorant anti-american and UNPATRIOTIC liberals. you people are pathetic.
Fraud, intimidation and bribery as Putin, er-a Clinton prepares for victory.
planted questions, chi-com contributions, leaning of wolf blitzer not to question hillary.
you make lots of posts but offer only lies. typical "mind full of mush" anti-american liberal. just like gkc99. gkc99, it was perjury we wanted that criminal clinton impeached for. lets not forget his phony war in bosnia. but you liberal liars have to make it about *** because its all you know. and to admit it was
about perjury kills your "bj" argument. so you liars will always say "bj" instead of perjury. its the only way to keep fooling yourselves. hey pepperp1, your communist clinton was elected with less than half the vote and we all knew he was a womanizer and a rapists. that did not stop ignorant liberal women for voting for the scum named clinton. oh yeah, clinton isnt even his real name. did you know that pepperp1? the swift boat vets have been proven right time after time. kerry refuses to open his medical records even though he promised to do so. but he cant because it will show the wounds were self inflicted. just another lie by another liberal anti-american liar.
what is more corrupt that taking campaign bribes from the communist chinese you libs? wanna answer that you anti-american libs? you libs probably think thats OK because its good communist money right?
stinking, ignorant anti-american and UNPATRIOTIC liberals. you people are pathetic.
Fraud, intimidation and bribery as Putin, er-a Clinton prepares for victory.
planted questions, chi-com contributions, leaning of wolf blitzer not to question hillary.
its called the liberal media. when people learn the truth about clinton they call him the liar he is.
happens everytime.
this is why i posted the same post so many times.
i apologize for the error.
"this is why i posted the same post so many times.
i apologize for the error."
It''s those damned liberal communist websites, right?
He thinks illegal immigration is legal?
Which presidential candidate can answer this very difficult question? Is illegal immigration, illegal?
And of course the courts do not know and I guess even the Supreme Court
Excuse me I am about to have uncontrollable explosive diarrhea verbally : )
I DID NOT HAVE *** WITH THAT WOMAN (OR ANY OTHER WOMEN )
HELLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO IS IS IS.HELLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
IS THAT FIRST CLASS PERJURY OR WHAT, HELLOOOOOOOOOOOO
Geezusssssssssssss! You CONSERVATIVES JUST BEAT A DEAD HORSE TO DUST!
Mr. Clinton was years ago. He left the country great financial shape, initiated lots of good legislation for the people!
Mr. Bush has bankrupted your country, stolen money right out of your pocket, and killed millions!
When will you brain phart neocons give it up!!!!!
Katie , if you really have guts, then how about going after a real story, Hillary Clintons gay love affair with her female senior advisor, Huma Abedin.
For those not familiar with this rumor, simply Google "Hillary affair Huma Abedin"
The fact that the LA Times and London Times have picked up on this story shows it is probably not a rumor, but the truth. Several books also talk about Hillary''s gay sexual preference.
Looks like she may out do Bill and become the first Lesident.
http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2007/11/hillary-lesbian.html
http://www.postchronicle.com/cgi-bin/artman/exec/view.cgi?archive=40&num=113634
http://westtnliving.wordpress.com/2007/11/27/click-photo-to-read-more-about-the-mysterious-huma-abedin/
http://politicalnighttrain.wordpress.com/2007/11/25/do-the-bloggers-have-hillarys-number-lesbian-affair-with-huma-abedin/
great financial shape. how bout largest tax increase in US history. ever heard of the dot coms? that was the cause of the economy not clinton. notto mention the republican congress killing communist health care. but i supposeyou would think that the government taking over 1/7 of the economy would be a good thing right?
Bush killed millions? what freak tree did you fall out of?
It is assinine statements like that that make liberals the joke they are.
The idea that the Mayor''s office or the police department had to borrow funds from other agencies to expedite paying their bills is ludicrous at best!
It just shows to go you that this man can tell such horrendous lies and keep a straight face what a PROFESSIONAL con man he really is.
On top of that, the fact that he thinks the public is STUPID enough to believe it shows how much CONTEMPT he has for the American people!
What in the hell is so urgent about paying off his security detail while he''s off having his extra marital affair in the first place?
And to the point, what does Giuliani believe the NYC budget statement is supposed to be, a guessing game?
Like Bush, like Reagan, like Nixon, Giuliani shares the common DNA of such GOP political miscreants-- an unnatural proclivity to deceit and criminal activity.
But most curiously of all, rather than face the accusation squarely, Giuliani and mendacious GOP followers simply skip the answer, because they have none. They would rather talk about anything else... anything.
So, they resort-- my favorite moment-- to attacks on Bill or Hillary Clinton, hoping clouds of obfuscation, bluster and hot air will be enough to hide their boy from further damage. It hasn''t worked, so far.
Rudy is simply the next fascist SOB wanting to take over from Bush to continue running our nation into the ground. Fear Hate War Profit Fear Hate War Profit... keep the cycle going. Shred our constitution while giving massive tax cuts to the filthy rich driving around in their Hummers.
Brady Bill
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993
Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act
Minimum Wage Increase Act
Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997
Shall I go on Antiliberal????
And there you CONSERVATIVES go again about the communist/socialist medical care program! YOU FOOLS! A National Health Care program is not SOCIALISM! Every capitalistic country except the United States has one. It is no more socialism than having a military, a police department, a fire department, a road and bridge department. You guys holler socialism every time some republican nitwit hollers leap frog!
Get a brain!
Well sure Mr. Giuliani, your hijinx was discoverable, that''s why the Politico discovered it. As for the "reimbursed" part, so, if I rob a bank, it''s OK as long as I reimburse them later?
Gotta admit though, he''s got chutzpah. Having squad cars ferrying around his "bit on the side", while still married? Nice!
You say that republicans are criminally predisposed.
I say demoncraps are slavers. I say demoncraps are perverts. I say demoncraps are thieves.
You jump in the middle of a thread and suppose misdirection where none exists. you simply do not know what the conversation is about.
Clouds of obfuscation are the only way the liberal message gets across. see hillary getting busted, not once but twice, planting questions. think this is the first time lie filled liberals have done this? its just the first time (twice) they have been caught.
in the old liberal media they would have gotten away with it. but now that you libs no longer control all the media like the kremlin, the truth gets out.
By the way, i do not support gulianai. i am not here to defend him. i am here to call liberal liars, liberal liars. Like you alphaa10.
Saying that republicans are genetically disposed to crime is a lie and you know it.
But that is liberalsim. A lie.
Yes, Hillary had a love affair with a lesbian Muslim terrorist, that''s what I heard on the talk radio. They had a plot to blow up the statue of liberty, but the liberal media refuses to run the story!!
If only this liberal media would report it, like they reported how John Kerry was actually a coward when fighting in the jungles of Vietnam and how Kerry was a traitor for complaining that we killed a couple million Vietnamese who were fighting for their independence from Colonial power (unlike Bush who served his country with bravery in the Texas, in the Texas Air National Guard)
There is only one solution. We need to use the NSA to find out the connections of the liberal media reporters who are so friendly to terrorism. Then we lock up the liberal media as the traitors they are and let Rush and Bill O''Reilly report the Fair and Balanced Truth. I can''t wait to live in a nation without liberals. People talk like fascism is a dirty word, but it''s great if you are on the right side! God Bless Ameria! Go Rudy!
The last time Giuliani was this unpopular.
If I have to hear another Neocon use 9-11 to try and gain the upper hand in a political debate, speech, or advert I''ll puke.
I''m sorry the rest of the country is that ignorant as to listen to them!
Shame, Shame, Shame!
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