ST. PAUL, Minn., Sept. 3, 2008
Losing Candidates Go To Bat For McCain
Giuliani, Romney, Huckabee Rally For Former Rival At Republican National Convention
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Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee acknowledges the crowd as he prepares to address the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., Wednesday, Sept 3, 2008. (AP)
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Former New York City Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani speaks at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008. (AP)
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Former Massachusetts Gov. and former presidential candidate Mitt Romney reacts as he ends his speech at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., Wednesday, Sept 3, 2008. (AP)
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In-Depth GOP Convention Center Latest news and video from the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn.
Giuliani said Republican presidential candidate John McCain can be trusted to confront and defeat "anything that terrorists do to us."
He reminded the Republican National Convention that he'd said in a Republican campaign debate a year ago that had he not been running for president himself, he would have been supporting McCain.
"Well, I'm not, and I do," he said in what was to have been a keynote address but wound up late on the convention agenda.
One by one, Giuliani, Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee, all losers to McCain in the contest for the Republican nomination, urged delegates to send their former rival to the White House. The also-rans teamed up in a head-on lunge at Obama, questioning his ability to protect the nation in perilous times and delivering a hard-line partisan call to GOP arms on behalf of the man who ran against them - and beat them - with a promise to be less partisan.
The three told the convention that McCain and Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, his running mate, are the right choice for the future of America and that Obama would be the wrong one.
Giuliani praised Palin as "one of the most successful governors in America - and the most popular."
She's been governor for two years, after eight as mayor of tiny Wasilla, but Giuliani said she's ready for the vice presidency. "She already has more executive experience than the entire Democratic ticket," he said.
Giuliani said Obama is a celebrity senator without a record of leadership or legislation.
"He's the least experienced candidate for president of the United States in at least the last 100 years," he said to the cheering, chanting convention. "Nobama, nobama," came the chants from the floor and the galleries. And "Zero, zero" when Giuliani said Obama has no experience.
Giuliani said that is not a personal attack - "it's a statement of fact. Barack Obama has never led anything. Nothing, Nada ...
"The choice in this election comes down to substance over style," he said. "John McCain has been tested. Barack Obama has not."
With that, Giuliani turned to the subject that once led Sen. Joe Biden, now the Democratic vice presidential nominee, to say that his sentences as candidate consisted only of a noun, a verb and 9-11. Giuliani came to national note with his personal leadership in New York after the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in 2001, which killed nearly 3,000 people. His work in rallying the city vaulted him into the presidential race.
"There's one purpose that John McCain understands, Republicans understand, that overrides everything else," Giuliani said. "John McCain will keep us on offense against terrorism at home and abroad.
"For four days in Denver and for the past 18 months, Democrats have been afraid to use the words 'Islamic Terrorism,"' Giuliani said. "... They are in a state of denial about the biggest threat that faces this country."
He said McCain will face that threat and win.
The McCain campaign had announced that Giuliani would be the convention keynote speaker on Tuesday night, but the schedule was shuffled and most of opening day was dropped because of the threat of Hurricane Gustav to the Gulf Coast. Giuliani's speech was delayed, but he nearly doubled his allotted 15 minutes and set the convention to roaring. When he said that McCain advocates an energy program that would use every approach, including drilling, they shouted "Drill baby, drill." He chuckled and repeated the line.
Romney played on Obama's campaign call for change - but not the change the Democrat wants.
"We need change all right," the former Massachusetts governor said. "Change from a liberal Washington to a conservative Washington. We have a prescription for every American who wants change in Washington - throw out the big government liberals and elect John McCain."
Romney said Obama "ducked and dodged" when he was asked about the threat of Islamic terrorism. "John McCain hit the nail on the head," he said. "Radical violent Islam is evil, and he will defeat it.
Huckabee, once governor of Arkansas, said that Obama lacks experience and judgment in foreign policy.
He said the Obama's nomination as the first black candidate on a major-party ticket is worth celebrating "because it elevates our country."
"But the presidency is not a symbolic job," he said, "and I don't believe his preparation or his plans will lift America up."
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- Giuliani told the delegates that they could forecast Obama%u2019s performance as president by reviewing his campaign, saying he had changed his mind so often %u2014 on public financing, government wiretapping and U.S.-Israeli relations %u2014 that %u201Cif I were Joe Biden, I%u2019d want that VP thing in writing.%u201D
And as president, he said, Obama would be lost, having no previous experience as an executive.
%u201CHe%u2019s never run a city, he%u2019s never run a state, he%u2019s never run a business, he%u2019s never run a military unit,%u201D Giuliani said. %u201CHe%u2019s never had to lead people in crisis.
%u201CThis is not a personal attack. It%u2019s a statement of fact,%u201D he said. %u201CBarack Obama has never led anything. Nothing. Nada. Nada. Nothing.%u201D
PERFECTLY SAID. - Reply to this comment
- republicon Losers supporting republicon losers at their convention... sounds like the crew of the Titanic comgratulating each other on a job well done.
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- A Brilliant speech from a brilliant woman. Those who disagree and are thinking Obama will bring you safety and security, you are wrong- He will raise your taxes and diminsh this great country to nothing. That is the change you can believe in with a liberal, keeping you poor, keeping you in a cage, and feeling bad. McCain and Palin are a winning ticket- they will change this country for the better, this is a fact.
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- It amazes me to watch the Republicans at their convention talk about their superior ideas and beliefs for the future, while slamming the Democrats, as they diligently ignore the huge, filthy, disgusting ten ton Elephant in the room; being what they, as a party, have done to this country and the world during the last eight years. The RNC Mantra seems to be %u201Ctalk about the present and the future, do not address the past%u201D
It''s like watching participants of a senior talent contest perform a dance routine with full diapers. - Reply to this comment
- I like your headline--LOOSERS!!!!
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- I forgot one last loser - Steele - the token. In a practically all white political party he was called on to try to show diversity, but as he proved in Maryland his message does not resonate. He lost big in his race for Senator and then found employment in the Republican propaganda machine as a commentator. He may have been the most hilarious speaker of the night.
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- It truly was a parade of losers. From Tuesday night through Wednesday the full farce that is the Repub party was on display. Thompson %u2013 exposed early in the campaign. Without a script and retakes, all he delivers is bloopers. Lieberman %u2013 traitor to his party and just a sad, sad man who will be an ex-Senator after his next election. Hucklebee %u2013 poster child for the evangelists that long for a Christian state with no personal rights. Giuliani %u2013 how many wives is this? How many affairs? If you were so great why didn%u2019t the fire fighter and police have the equipment they needed prior to 9/11 instead of after? Again the hypocritical moralists look the other way. Lap dogs all with no real message.
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- McCain --- Campaign First
Palin --- Alaska First
America === That''s not change we can believe in - Reply to this comment
- If only Rudy, Huckster, Mitt and Fred showed that enthusiasm when campaigning they would be the nominee. The convention last night showed us in three words why Cactus John deserves our vote and Barrack Obama hasn''t earned it. Service! Sacrifice! Country!
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- Beneath all that fake republican goodness in the convention tonight.
There''s a stench that reeks to high heaven.
Over 4000 corpses of Dead American troops killed by their commander and liar in chief.
And all the ex wives of McCain, Giuliani, Thompson, all hiding in the wings too afraid to show their sad faces.
And a pedophile sitting with his victim, applauded by this crowd of family values christians. - Reply to this comment
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