Choosing Sides - Giuliani; Vitter

UPDATED

For the foreseeable future, and for no real reason other than that it interests me, I am going to run an occasional series on presidential hopefuls who receive the support and/or endorsements of prominent political and media figures.

In the inaugural installment, U.S. Senator David Vitter (R-LA) says Rudy Giuliani has won him over despite a record of support for abortion rights, gay rights, and gun control.

To allay concerns, the former New York City mayor has emphasized that he would appoint federal judges who "strictly interpret" the constitution, another pet issue of conservatives.

Vitter's endorsement was meant to validate Giuliani's case.

"Obviously, I disagree with Rudy on some significant social issues, and these are very important to me and to many of the people I represent," Vitter said. However, he said, after numerous meetings with Giuliani, "it's very clear to me that he's not running for president to advance any liberal social agenda."

I read this as the emergence of the "electability" factor supporting Giuliani's candidacy. There is a segment of the GOP coalition that thinks Rudy is the only one who can beat Hillary Clinton. They are so desperate to keep her from becoming president that they are willing to look past their fundamental differences with Giuliani on the social issues that have come to define contemporary Republicanism. This is born out by the reason Vitter gives for throwing his support to Giuliani.

"Rudy has the strong unwavering leadership and sound judgment that we so clearly need in this time of war and terrorist threats," Vitter said at a news conference with Giuliani.

This is ludicrous. Giuliani has no record of performance or leadership or judgment with regard to terrorism in particular or international affairs in general. His entire reputation as a Terror Warrior is built on his behavior on 9/11. His decisions and actions before and after that single day raise serious questions about his leadership and his judgment. Be that as it may, Louisiana Sen. David Vitter has decided Rudy is The One.

UPDATE

I wonder if Vitter had a chance to see this before today's press conference:



I wonder also how steadfast his support for Giuliani will remain after the true believers back home see it and let him know how they feel. There is no shortage of "family-values" conservatives in Louisiana who will line up to challenge Vitter if they think he's vulnerable. If his constituents don't like him cozying up to the likes of Giuliani, he can consider himself vulnerable.