2004 Presidential Election and Beyond: The Giuliani Years (GAME THREAD)

[DKrol]

Inauguration of Rudolph William Louis Giuliani
January 20th, 2005

Outgoing President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush are treated as special guests of honor at the Inauguration. Both of them are seated to the immediate right of the Giuliani family. Also given positions of honor at the event are Congressman Dennis Kucinich, Senator Joe Biden, Senator George Allen, Secretary of the Treasury-designate Mitt Romney, Secretary of Commerce-designate Gary Johnson, and former Vice President Dick Cheney and their families.

William Rehnquist: Are you prepared to take the Oath, Mr. Vice President?
Rudy Giuliani: I am.
Rehnquist: I, Rudolph William Louis Giuliani, do solemnly swear...
Giuliani: I, Rudolph William Louis Giuliani, do solemnly swear...
Rehnquist: That I will faithfully execute...
Giuliani: That I will faithfully execute...
Rehnquist: The office of President of the United States...
Giuliani: The office of President of the United States...
Rehnquist: And will, to the best of my ability...
Giuliani: And will, to the best of my ability...
Rehnquist: Preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.
Giuliani: Preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.
Rehnquist: So help you God?
Giuliani: So help me God.
Rehnquist: Congratulations, Mr. President.

"Vice President Hutchison, Mr. Chief Justice, President Bush, President Clinton, President Bush, President Carter, Mr. Ford, Mrs. Reagan, reverend clergy, members of Congress, distinguished guests, my fellow Americans.

We're here today to celebrate and respect the time-honored power of our Constitution. The Founders set aside a day, then in March, to swear in the President of the United States. At the time, the peaceful transition of power from one democratically elected officer to another was unheard of. The Founders put their trust in the American people and we have not let them down yet. Today is no exception. This election was the most dynamic race of modern times - there were four major candidates who all won multiple states and electoral votes. Many people felt strongly that their candidate was going to win and many felt disappointed when their candidate did not. But we are here today, in the spirit on unity and democracy, to inaugurate a new President and move on to a new era of bipartisanship and cooperation.

...

We are a nation built on freedom and liberty, where all people can vote and participate in their government and all people can be safe in their homes. These ideas have been central to our nation since its founding, and the message was reinforced when we were faced with the Civil War, with the threat of Nazi Germany, and once again with the threat from al-Qaeda on September 11th. But Americans have always stood strong in the faces of these threats, we've set aside our differences for the good of the nation, and moved to face the threat head on. I'd like to thank President Bush for his leadership since September 11th.

These ideas of freedom and liberty, however, are not applied universally. Many people across the globe live in fear, oppression, and darkness. The American Dream cannot be realized, our dreams cannot be fulfilled, until all people everywhere can share in the promise of democracy, freedom, and hope. We will combat the enemies of democracy on every stage, we will pursue terrorists to every corner of the globe, and we will defend the people of the world at every turn.

We must look inward, with our discussion of democracy, freedom, and hope. There are still people in America who are not treated as full citizens. I'm speaking of the many people who live in one of the United States Overseas territories - Guam, Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, and the United States Virgin Islands. We must work towards extending the full rights of citizenship to all of these territories, and statehood to the people of Puerto Rico.

...

For all those whose cares have been my concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die. We will continue, over the next four years, to fight for the rights of all people, for economic prosperity, and for the many promises I made during the campaign. I welcome the media and the American people to hold me to this.

Thank you, God Bless you all, and God Bless the United States of America."

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State of the Union Address
February 2nd, 2005

British Prime Minister Tony Blair, German Chancellor Gerhard Schroder, Teri Maude (the widow of Lieutenant General Timothy Maude), former NYPD Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik, former NYFD Commissioner Thomas Von Essen, Adam Brown (a 5th grade student from Los Angeles), former Governor of Puerto Rico Pedro Rossello, and former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld are seated next to First Lady Judith Giuliani as the special guests of President Rudy Giuliani. Secretary of Commerce Gary Johnson and Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao serve as the designated survivors for the event, watching the speech from separate, undisclosed locations under the protection of the United States Armed Forces.

Wilson Livingood: Mr. Speaker, the President of the United States!

"Thank you all. Mr. Speaker, Vice President Hutchison, Members of Congress, Members of the Supreme Court, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Distinguished guests, fellow citizens:

The Constitution states that the President 'shall from time to time give to Congress information of the State of the Union and recommend to their Consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient'. This is a historic event that all Presidents before me and the many who come after me will do.

The most pressing issue facing my administration has been, and will continue to be, the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the War on Terror. Tonight, I will outline my administration's new policy with regards to the wars, as well as a series of economic reforms we will be putting in place over the next several months.

....

We must change our strategy with regards to Iraq. To continue on the same path will cost more American lives and raise the national debt. We must increase training for the Iraqi military, let the Iraqis lead most operations and begin the transition to an independent Iraq. We will no longer pursue a 'seek-and-destroy' strategy, instead our armed forces will be following a 'take-and-hold' method of combat. There will also be an increased focus on protecting the Iraqi citizenry.

In order to pursue this new strategy, I have decided to increase the number of American troops in Iraq. 35,000 new troops, with specialized skills in constructions and engineering, will be deployed to Iraq over the next six months. These troops will be enough to win the war and establish a lasting democracy in Iraq.

....

We must remember that the enemy, no matter where we are located, is terrorism - we were struck on September 11th, 2001 by terrorists, who were hiding overseas. In order to advance our anti-terrorism efforts we need to expand our foreign intelligence capabilities. I will authorize the Director of National Intelligence to centralize all counter-terrorism intelligence into a National Intelligence Directorate. The NID will have 5,000 specially trained troops for their use. These NID troops are trained to be experts in kill-or-capture raids on terrorist targets.

Due to the border-less nature of terrorists,  the United States Intelligence Community will no longer pay head to the national boundaries of areas that we suspect to be harboring terrorists, while in the pursuit of terror. Our goal is to bring down Osama bin Laden and I feel confident that we will do that with these reforms.

I ask our allies in Europe, South America, Asia, and Africa to stand strong with us in these endeavors. I said it while running for President and I will say it again - the United States cannot go it alone. The coalition is our key to success. I am inviting the leaders of our coalition allies to Washington to have a thorough and meaningful discussion of our strategy going forward. Secretary Lieberman and his staff will be arranging that in the coming weeks and months.

....

Our strategy in Afghanistan must also change. Our Armed Forces will implement a strategy, similar to that we will be using in Iraq, that is focused on protecting the population, 'taking-and-holding' land instead of destroying Taliban strong-holds, and improve the humanitarian situation in the country to protect the by-standers to the conflict. I am authorizing the deployment of 60,000 new troops to Afghanistan to assist with the new strategy. As before, these new troops will be able to win the war in a timely fashion.

....

Our nation's economy is strong. More people are working than anytime in the last four years, and our GDP is larger than any other nation in the world. In order to ensure our prosperity will continue my administration will begin implementing various economic reforms. While campaigning for President, I proposed a bill to raise the minimum wage in a reasonable and responsible manner. I now ask the Congress to pass that bill! Let's get it done!

....

There are several Government-sponsored enterprises that are wildly unregulated. This is a dangerous fiscal policy that could set our nation up for a second Great Depression. I am calling on Congress to pass legislation that will regulate GSE like they are private businesses. If we have these regulations for the mom-and-pop store on the corner of Main Street, why should the GSEs be able to run around almost with no regulations, when they deal with much more money and have a far greater risk than the average business? We must reign in the GSEs - Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, FICO, Farmer Mac - so that the American people's money is not at risk. I am also asking Congress to expand the home mortgage interest deduction. Housing is the engine that drives our economy and expanding the tax deduction will spur people to buy homes and settle down, establishing families, and starting careers.

....

First Lady Judith Giuliani has taken up the struggle of childhood education, as her cross to bear over the next four years. We must keep our children in school and make higher education more available to all American children. Schools are the answer to crime rates, drug trafficking, and gang violence. If our children are in classrooms learning they are not on the streets, getting involved in bad practices.

....

I made a plea at my Inauguration to grant Puerto Rico statehood. I once again will make that statement: Puerto Rico will become the 51st State in our Union! I urge Congress to pass legislation admitting Puerto Rico to the United States of America and granting the people the full rights and benefits extended to all American citizens.

....

We must decide our course - will we turn back, or will we finish what we've started? Will we leave the Iraqi and Afghan people under the fear of terrorism, or will we protect the people of these nations? Will we put our troops in harms way, or will we give them the resources they need to achieve victory? Will we allow businesses to run amok with our money, or will we reign in these behemoths and make them safer? Will we continue to force single mothers to work three jobs to support her family, or will we raise the minimum wage? Will we turn our backs on our children, or will we promote education for every child - regardless of race, income, or gender? Will we continue to subject people to the old ways of imperialism, or will we welcome our Puerto Rican brothers and sisters as a new state? These are the questions that we must answer over the weeks, months, and years to come.

Thank you, and may God Bless the United States of America."

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Statement from the Office of the President of the United States
White House Press Secretary Chris Wallace

President Rudy Giuliani would like to announce three things:

1) Former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld has been hired by President Giuliani to serve as the Presidential Envoy to the Middle East. Mr. Rumsfeld has had a long and very impressive career within the Congress, various Presidential Administrations, and the Defense Industry. He will be given offices in Baghdad and Washington, and will report, directly to the President, on the issues of Middle Eastern Security, stability in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the progress of American Forces.

2) President Rudy Giuliani will sit down for an interview with Larry King at the White House next week, and will appear on Meet the Press with Tim Russert the week after. Various members of the Administration will travel around the press circuit on behalf of the President.

3) President Rudy Giuliani will embark on his first foreign tour during the month of August, the itinerary can be found below. While in Belgium, he will chair a meeting of the NATO Military Council to discuss operation in Iraq. His primary objective, while in Afghanistan and Iraq, will be to meet with U.S. Troops and spur moral. In Iraq, he will also install Mr. Rumsfeld as the Presidential Envoy.

August 5th-8th: United Kingdom
August 9th-12th: The Netherlands
August 13th: Belgium
August 14th-17th: Russia
August 18th-20th: Afghanistan
August 21st-23rd: Iraq

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Giuliani Interview with Larry King
Airs on CNN, July 3rd, 2005 at 7:30PM

Larry King: I'm here in the Sun Room in the Executive Residence of the White House. The 44th President of the United States, Rudy Giuliani, has invited me into his home for this interview. Mr. President, thank you.
Rudy Giuliani: Thank you, Larry.
King: Mr. President, you unveiled an ambitious plan for Iraq and Afghanistan in your State of the Union in February. Do you think that this will be successful, in the end?
Giuliani:  Oh, I hope so. (laughs) But, yes, I do. The Surge, as we've taken to calling it in the Office, will give both forces in Iraq and Afghanistan enough troops to get the job done in a timely fashion.
King: Why is the Surge necessary, though? Couldn't the initial force get the job done?
Giuliani: The extra troops are needed because of the shift in strategy. When your attacking and destroying, you want to hit hard, fast, and then leave. Now that we're using a 'Take-and-hold' method of combat extra troops are needed. These troops have special skills in construction and engineering, which are key to holding onto the territory.
King: You recently appointed Donald Rumsfeld as the Presidential Envoy to the Middle East. What's his job and why did you nominate him?
Giuliani: Don has done a lot of great work over his career. He's really excelled as Secretary of Defense and has been instrumental in the War in Iraq. To completely remove him from the situation would just be stupid. As my Envoy to the Middle East, he'll be my eyes and ears on the ground. We've set up an office for him, within the White House, and found some office space for him in Baghdad where he can monitor developments and keep me up to date. He's not replacing Secretary Rice or Lieberman, he's complimenting them.
King: Thank you, Mr. President. Ladies and gentlemen that was my discussion with President Rudy Giuliani. He'll be on Meet the Press with Tim Russert on NBC on Sunday. Thank you and good night.

Giuliani Interview with Tim Russert
Airs on NBC, July 10th, 2005

Tim Russert: Joining me now, here in Washington, is President Rudy Giuliani. Welcome to the program, Mr. President.
Rudy Giuliani: Thank you, Tim.
Russert: Mr. Giuliani, you're a friend of the program - you've been on many times in your career, but this is the first time when I can't call you Rudy. (laughs)
Giuliani: Oh yes you can. (laughs)
Russert: You're very busy, so let's get into this. Senator Jim DeMint has been very critical of your administration so far. What'd you have to say about that?
Giuliani: That's to be expected. Look, I'm not a conservative darling. I made that obvious through the campaign, Senator Allen was the more conservative one. Senator DeMint isn't happy that the White House is in the hands of a Rockefeller Republican from New York City. I think the reason he's being so critical of these commonsense solutions is that he's a new face in the Senate and wants to make a name for himself.
Russert: You're running for re-election in '08?
Giulaini: God willing, yes.
Russert: Are you worried about a primary challenger from DeMint?
Giuliani: No.
Russert: What about another challenger from your right? Senator Allen, Governor Huck-
Giuliani: No. If someone wants to run against me in a primary, they have right to do so. But I'm not worried about it. I won in an Electoral College landslide, I have a mandate from the American people to govern, and a primary would throw that mandate to the wind.
Russert: Do you think that your minimum wage bill will pass the Congress, even with such opposition?
Giuliani: Vice President Hutchison is my liaison to the Capitol and she's very persuasive. I have no worries about it.
Russert: What about Puerto Rican state hood? You made it a central issue in your State of the Union. Why is it such an issue to you?
Giuliani: Puerto Rico is a great place, filled with great people. They have a rich culture, a thriving tourism industry, and a growing democracy. To keep them subjected as, what is in effect, a colony is an affront to principles of the America.
Russert: Thank you, sir.
Giuliani: Thank you, Tim.
Russert: Up next: Chris Matthews, David Greggory, Tom Brokaw, Joe Scarborough, and Katty Kay break down what the President just told me. Stick around.
Giuliani: That should be fun. (laughs)

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Giuliani Overseas Tour
August 5th-23rd


5th-8th: United Kingdom
President Giuliani met with Prime Minister Tony Blair, Leader of the Opposition Michael Howard, Charles, Prince of Wales, and former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.


9th-12th: The Netherlands
President Giuliani met with Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkende, Foreign Minister Ben Bot, and Queen Beatrix.


13th: Belgium
President Giuliani toured the NATO headquarters and chaired a session of the NATO Military Council. He briefed the Council on his new strategy in Iraq. He met with NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer and Deputy Secretary-General Alessandro Minuto-Rizzo.


14th-17th: Russia
President Giuliani met with President Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov, Mayor Yury Luzhkov, former Premier Mikhail Gorbachev, and former President Boris Yeltsin.


18th-20th: Afghanistan
President Giuliani met with President Hamid Karzai, Vice President Karim Khalili, General John Abizaid, and former General Norman Schwarzkopf, Jr.


20th-23rd: Iraq
President Giuliani met with President Jalal Talabani, Secretary of Defense Condi Rice, Secretary of State Joseph Lieberman, and Presidential Envoy to the Middle East Donald Rumsfeld.

[DKrol]

Statement from the Office of the President of the United States
White House Press Secretary Chris Wallace

With the midterms coming up very soon, President Rudy Giuliani has announced that he will be taking a very active role in various elections. Below is a list of the candidates that he will appear with on the campaign trail. He will also campaign for various Congressmen and women and state-wide officers.

Frank Murkowski for Governor of Alaska
Arnold Schwarzenegger for Governor of California
Charlie Crist for Governor of Florida
Judy Baar Topinka for Governor of Illinois
Kerry Healey for Governor of Massachusetts
Tim Pawlenty for Governor of Minnesota
Jim Coburn for Governor of New Hampshire
Donald Carcieri for Governor of Rhode Island

Jim Talent for Senator of Missouri
Conrad Burns for Senator of Montana
Mike DeWine for Senator of Ohio
Lincoln Chaffee for Senator of Rhode Island
George Allen for Senator of Virginia
Bob Corker for Senator of Tennessee
Michael Steele for Senator of Maryland
Thomas Kean, Jr. for Senator of New Jersey

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Statement from the President of the United States
White House Press Secretary Chris Wallace

President Giuliani has released a few additional candidates that we will appear with during campaigning for the midterms.

Donald Trump for Governor of New York

Tom Ridge for Senator of Pennsylvania
Jesse Ventura for Senator of Minnesota

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State of the Union Address
January 31st, 2006

Donald Trump, Steve Jobs, Reverend Al Sharpton, Martin Luther King, III, LAPD Chief William Bratton, Mayor Ray Nagin, Ambassador to the united Nations John Negroponte, and Former First Lady Laura Bush are seated next to First Lady Judith Giuliani as the special guests of President Rudy Giuliani. Secretary of Education Judd Gregg and Secretary of Veterans’ Affairs chuck Hagel serve as the designated survivors for the event, watching the speech from separate, undisclosed locations under the protection of the United States Armed Forces.

Wilson Livingood: Mr. Speaker, the President of the United States!

"Thank you all. Mr. Speaker, Vice President Hutchison, Members of Congress, Members of the Supreme Court, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Distinguished guests, fellow citizens:

Before I begin tonight, I ask for a moment of silence out of respect for the passing of one of our nation’s most spirited advocates for Civil Rights. Her career began in 1953 when she married Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., but the struggle lasted her entire life. When Dr. King was struck down in Memphis, she did not hide - but she became even more vocal in her mission. Coretta Scott King will be eternally remembered for her great work.

....

We are here once again to discuss our great nation and plan out our agenda for the next year. Friends, that State of our Union is strong and will only become stronger as we move forward.

....

One of the powers granted to the President, is the ability to appoint members of the United States Supreme Court. I have been handed two spaces to fill on the Court: one from the death of Chief Justice Rehnquist, and one from the resignation of Sandra Day O’Connor. I am asking the Senate to confirm Associate Justice Anthony Kennedy as the next Chief Justice, John G. Roberts to fill the seat vacated by Mrs. O’Connor, and Senator Orrin Hatch to fill the seat vacated by Mr. Kennedy's ascension.

....

We are achieving success around the globe. The Surge has made us much closer to victory in Iraq and Afghanistan and democracy is spreading to many people. Osama bin Laden is on the run and will be found as we push back the enemies of the United States, who would attempt to harbor him.

There are now 98 more Democratic nations in the world than there were in 1945. Communism does not have a lock on any part of the world as it did in 1960s and 1970s, more people are able to participate in their government, and women’s suffrage is almost universal. The task is not complete, but large steps towards success have been taken.

....

The City of New Orleans and much of our nation’s coast, was devastated by the impact of Hurricane Katrina. We did not linger, we did not hide, we did not wait. Before the waters had receded, Mayor Nagin, Secretary Card, Secretary Clark, and myself were on the ground in New Orleans - coordinating relief efforts and ensuring the safety of the American people. We could not have done it without the great work of the National Guard, as well as the emergency response teams of  the communities involved.
....

Our planet has both renewable and finite resources. Wind, solar, wave, and geothermal are all viable forms of alternative energy. I have directed Secretary of Energy Domenici to expand federal grants for companies that will invest and develop these sources of energy. We cannot and we will not be subject to the will and temper of the oil supply of foreign nations. We saw that happen in the 1970s and we will not go through it again.

....

Sitting next to my wife tonight are two people who have spurred job growth across the nation. Donald Trump, the Chairman of the Trump Organization and Founder of Trump Entertainment Resorts. has been a friend of mine for decades. His infrastructure and real estate projects have created many jobs across the nation and across the globe. Also with us tonight is Steve Jobs. Apple Inc. was founded in 1976 in Steve’s garage and has expanded to become one of the largest businesses in the world. Pixar, another one of Steve’s businesses, has become a household name for it’s many films. Apple and Pixar, the Trump Organization and Trump Entertainment Resorts, and many other businesses are the backbone of America. All of these have started as small, local shops and have grown - creating jobs, products, and revenue for the American people. Let these serve as reminders to the many small businesses across America - such as Frank’s Automotive in Savannah, Georgia and Debby’s Diner in Kennebunkport, Maine.

....

I am once again presenting two proposal to Congress, which has failed to act upon them over the last year. First, pass regulations on Government-sponsored Enterprises. This will keep the American people’s money safer when they invest. Second, expand the home mortgage interest deduction. This will inspire people to buy their homes, and home-ownership is a driving factor in our nation’s economy. These are issues that are critical to the success of our nations. Should Congress fail to act on these, we may be plagued by an economic downturn and set us up for another depression in the near future.

....

Thank you, and may God Bless the United States of America."

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Karl Rove Appearance on CNN



Wolf Blitzer: We just had Senator Jim DeMint openly discuss a primary challenge to President Giuliani. To respond, here's White House Chief of Staff Karl Rove. Karl, welcome to the Situation Room.
Karl Rove: Thank you, Wolf.
Blitzer: Karl, Senator DeMint said that he probably won't challenge President Giuliani in 2008. What'd you say to that?
Rove: The fact that he didn't categorically deny it, shows that he's going to - or he's atleast giving it a serious thought. And I say let him. We won in 2004 with the most electoral college votes of any Republican since George H.W. Bush's landslide in 1988. The President has an approval rating in the 60s. To challenge him would be political suicide.
Blitzer: What about former New Hampshire Senator Bob Smith?
Rove: Is Bob still in New Hampshire? Look, Bob lost the Republican nomination for President in  2000, he lost the nomination for Senate in New Hampshire, he moved to Florida and lost the nomination there. Bob Smith just wants to have his name in the papers. If he runs against the President in 2008, he won't win. As someone who's run many campaigns, I'll be honest with you - Bob Smith is a bad candidate.
Blitzer: Strong words from the White House Chief of Staff. Thank you, Karl.
Rove: Thanks, Wolf.

[DKrol]

How the hell is DeMint behind Bob Smith now? DeMint is actually the one in the Senate, doing stuff, having influence.

The poll's in New Hampshire, Smith's quasi-home state.

[DKrol]

Statement from the Office of the President of the United States
White House Press Secretary Chris Wallace

In April of 2000, then-Mayor Rudy Giuliani was diagnosed with prostate cancer. He went through a very aggressive and thorough care plan that included hormonal therapy and radiotherapy. Since then he has been free from cancer and in great health. However, every other year he must undergo an in-depth screening process, which includes a biopsy, to ensure that there has been no return of the cancer. The President is put under anesthesia and is put into hospital care over night.

Tomorrow, the President will travel to the National Naval Medical Center to undergo one of these screening procedures. The procedure will be jointly performed by Brigadier General Richard Tubb, USAF, the White House Physician and Dr. Hedvig Hricak of the  Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. The President and his family expect the President to receive a clean bill of health following the screening.

President Giuliani has willing invoked Section 3 of the 25th Amendment, to take effect at noon tomorrow, transferring the powers of the Presidency to Vice President Kay Hutchison as the Acting President until he can resume his duties. This is in order with precedent, as seen during various points in the Reagan administration. Vice President Hutchison said that she intends to sit behind the C&O Desk, "maybe play with [President Giuliani's] desk toys", and have a conference call with Congressional leaders during her tenure as Acting President.

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Statement from the Office of the President of the United States
White House Press Secretary Chris Wallace

President Rudy Giuliani will hold a press conference at Camp David tomorrow. He will answer questions from the press, and then head out to campaign for candidates for various offices. He will campaign with Senator George Allen, former Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge, Mr. Donald Trump, former Governor Bill Weld, and former Governor Jesse Ventura over the next week.

((Get your questions ready.))

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Rudy Giuliani Press Conference
Arlington, Virginia

"Hello everyone. Chris says that you've got a few questions for me? (laughs) O.K., let's get started here."

Giuliani points at a reporter.

((Post your questions for President Giuliani here. Don't worry about going question, answer, question, answer. Just ask and I'll get to them as I see them.))

[DKrol]

Thank you, Mr. President. Could you expand on the full legal and diplomatic ramifications of no longer recognizing the national boundaries of nations like Bahrain and Egypt?

"Let me clarify something for you. We're not saying that these countries don't exist, that they don't have borders. The policy revolves solely around the United States Intelligence Community and its role in the War on Terror. This is a practice that was started by the Bush Administration following the launch of the War on Terror. Secretaries Lieberman, Rice, and myself decided to expand the scope of the policy so that we have the greatest chance of success in our endeavors against terrorism.
The United States makes no distinction between terrorists and the states that harbor them. Terrorism has no home nation, so we cannot treat terrorists like a traditional enemy state. If we want to win the War on Terror we have to stop focusing on national boundaries because terrorists don't stay within one nation. Thank you, next question.

[DKrol]

Mr. President, let's turn to politics for a moment. A number of conservatives within your own party have been upset over some of your actions in office, and we've seen rumblings of a primary challenge against you. Senator DeMint has been the most visible person here, but other names have also popped up. How seriously do you take these threats, and are their concerns legitimate?

Chuck, if Tim Russert every retired they should put you on Meet The Press. (laughs)

I know, I knew when I won the election, that there were going to be some people in the party who wouldn't be happy with some of my positions. They should have known that when they voted for me. I've always made my positions very clear.

Jim DeMint, Bob Smith, Mark Sanford - they're all good people, but we disagree on a few policy matters. I think that's perfectly normal and a key part of the American political system. Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton weren't always the most popular people even within their own party.  I don't expect every Republican to become a rubber stamp to my agenda.

2008, the election, is more than 2 years away. A lot could happen between now and then. Any talk of a primary challenge, at this point, is just media speculation during a slow news block. Next question.

[DKrol]

"Mr. President, do you care to justify your actions involving green energy? There's been a lot of controversy over the way you've handled that, almost completely going over the heads of congress. Do you think what you've done is constitutional?"

"Ed, I think you're just jealous I didn't pick you for White House Press Secretary. (laughs)

In all seriousness, no. Those people who are upset about the Department of Energy pursuing other forms of energy other than oil, are just trying to make names for themselves. Isn't it the job of the Department of Energy to research and invest in energy production? We're not raising taxes to provide these alternative energy grants, we're taking a small portion of funds already set aside for the DoE and using it for a different purpose. I don't need Congressional Approval to do this. The President is given the power to issue Executive Orders to regulate the functioning of the Executive Branch of the Federal Government. By telling Secretary Domenici how to spend the money that Congress granted the DoE in the budget, I'm just doing my job.

Some people have said that solar, winds, and geothermal energies are 'new' and 'radical', that they're 'likely to fail'. Well let me quote Senator Biden here 'That's a load of malarkey'. The process of drawing energy from the sun was patented in 1897 and Jimmy Carter had solar panels on the White House in 1979. Windmills have existed since the 200s B.C., and modern turbines have been around since 1887. Ancients were using geothermal energy for baths and heating long before Colombus sailed to America. The first geothermal generator was used in 1904. These aren't new means of energy production, they've been under our feet and around us for a long time. It's time that we start tapping into them so that we aren't under the thumb of foreign oil tycoons. Next question.

[DKrol]

"Thanks everyone, that's it."

[DKrol]

Reminder this round closes tonight. Round 3 will take place until September 2007 and from there we'll start the 08 part of the game.

I'll start taking submissions for candidates as of tomorrow.

Thanks everyone

Can we get a new thread for candidate recruitment and the 2008 game? Lock this one up and save it for posterity.

Second.

[DKrol]

State of the Union Address
January 23rd, 2007

Former President Jimmy Carter, former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, former General Norman Schwarzkopf, former Secretary of State Colin Powell,  former Army Chief of Staff Eric Shinseki, Michael Koors, a high school history teacher from Atlanta, Georgia, and Dom Wood, a third grade student from Detroit, Michigan are seated next to First Lady Judith Giuliani as the special guests of President Rudy Giuliani. Secretary of Education Judd Gregg and Secretary of Energy Peter Domenici serve as the designated survivors for the event, watching the speech from separate, undisclosed locations under the protection of the United States Armed Forces.

Wilson Livingood: Mr. Speaker, the President of the United States!

"Thank you all. Mr. Speaker, Vice President Hutchison, Members of Congress, Members of the Supreme Court, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Distinguished guests, fellow citizens:

Tonight, people from across the world are tuning in their televisions to watch us partake in a time honored tradition of the American presidency. Woodrow Wilson reinstated the policy of the President delivering the State of the Union in person to Congress, as George Washington had done when the Congress met in New York City. Between Washington and Wilson, the President simply wrote a message to the Congress on the state of our nation - the Constitution only says that the President ‘shall from time to time give to Congress information of the State of the Union and recommend to their Consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient.’ By that definition, that President could send over a copy of the Wall Street Journal with a Post-It note of suggestions for the next year. Some in my office suggested that I do that this year but I said no. I hold this tradition and its message too important.

 I am here to give a report on the State of our Union. Last year, I said that we were strong and would only become stronger as we moved forward. Tonight I can affirm that we have indeed grown stronger over the last year.

....

In 2003, President Bush stood on the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln, with a banner that decried ‘Mission Accomplished’ in Iraq. We now know that the President acted with haste in that judgement, that the mission was far from accomplished. However, four years later, I can proudly announce that the mission in Iraq has been accomplished. The Surge has been a massive success, American casualties are at an all time low, and more people are taking a role in their government. Secretary Libermann, Secretary Rice, Secretary Clark, Chairman Pace, Envoy Rumsfeld, Ambassador Zalmay, and myself are about to begin the process of drawing up plans for the withdrawal of American troops - beginning in the fall of 2008 with the hopes of full withdrawal by the spring of 2012.

....

America has been under the thumb of foreign oil tycoons for far too long. We cannot, we must not, and we will not continue on that path. The Department of Energy has provided grants and companies that develop and invest in alternative forms of energy production - such as solar, wind, wave, and geothermal. These are not dangerous, these are not new - they are just untapped. I am directing Secretary Domenici to continue with this program. Doing this will bring down the cost to heat our homes, the cost to fuel our cars, and create a better environment for ourselves, our children, and for many generations to come. President Carter had solar panels put on the White House in 1979, but President Reagan had them taken down when he took office. New, more efficient solar panels will be installed on the White House roof and grounds once the weather becomes more favorable.

....

President Bush signed the No Child Left Behind Act, as an attempt to reform our failing education system. NCLB, now in its 6th year, has failed to make the grade. The policy focuses on punishing less than stellar schools, rather than promoting the success of students. Tests are not the best measure of a student's potential. We need to make sure that teachers have the resources to help a child flourish in life, be successful in employment, and prepared for higher education. Secretary Gregg and the Department of Education will begin to issue waivers, to states that agree to raise standards of success, close the gap between students of different backgrounds, and promote parental involvement in education, that will exempt the states from No Child Left Behind regulations. I believe that the states and municipalities of our nation hold the keys to success in education.

....

I have outlined my administration’s goals and policies for the next year and the path we’d like to be on for the next several years. Thank you, and may God Bless the United States of America."

[DKrol]

President Giuliani to Seek Second Term
Vice President Hutchison to Leave Ticket

President Rudy Giuliani delivered a statement from the Cross Hall of the White House on April 9, 2007.

"On September 7th, 2003 I launched my campaign for President from New York City. I won the nomination and the Presidency. Today, I am officially launching my campaign for re-election as President of the United States of America.

During my tenure in office, unemployment has gone down, the economy is thriving, and more children are going to college. We're winning the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the War on Terror has seen much success across the globe. These last three-and-a-half years have seen massive steps forward in the field of Puerto Rican statehood, women's rights, and civil rights. But we are not done. There is only so much that can be accomplished in four years. Over the course of the next several months I will travel to every state in the union, meet with people from all walks of life, and create a plan for a better America.

Vice President Kay Hutchison has been my partner and my friend since we took office. She's been there with me at every cabinet meeting and every strategy session. She is the greatest asset my administration has. However, Kay has told me that she will finish her term as Vice President but does not plan to run for a second term as Vice President. I am deeply saddened by this, but I accept her wishes and hope her the best in her future endeavors.

Thank you and God Bless."

[DKrol]

So are we going to have the sign in sheet soon?

I concur. I've given the SOTU, there's not much left to happen before the race begins.