Giuliani off on price of milk, bread
Campaign points out candidate came close to national averages

MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani
hasn't done a lot of grocery shopping lately - at least based on his
answers about the cost of milk and bread.

Campaigning in Alabama on Tuesday, the former New York City mayor
portrayed himself as a fiscal conservative and an aggressive fighter of
terrorism who has a lot in common with the Deep South state.

But when asked about more mundane matters - like the price of some basic
staples - Giuliani had trouble with a reporter's question.

"A gallon of milk is probably about a $1.50, a loaf of bread about a
$1.25, $1.30," he said.

A check of the Web site for D'Agostino supermarket on Manhattan's Upper
East Side showed a gallon of milk priced at $4.19 and a loaf of white
bread at $2.99 to $3.39. In Montgomery, Ala., a gallon of milk goes for
about $3.39 and bread is about $2.

Later Tuesday, the Giuliani campaign pointed out that the national
average for bread is $1.17 per pound, as listed by the Bureau of Labor
Statistics. The government agency also lists milk as costing, on
average, $1.60 per half-gallon.

Giuliani was closer to the mark on the price of a gallon of gasoline.

"Gas, I think, is $2.89," he said.

His difficulty with grocery items recalled another Republican's
supermarket run-in. In 1992, President George H.W. Bush expressed
amazement at a high-tech supermarket scanner, prompting critics to argue
that he was out of touch with average Americans. The White House cried
foul, pointing out that during a grocers' convention Bush had been
impressed by a special scanner that could read torn labels.

$1,000-per-person campaign fundraisers in Mobile and Montgomery before
addressing a joint session of the Alabama Legislature that drew an
overflow crowd.

Recalling that he worked in the Justice Department in President Reagan's
administration, Giuliani said that like Reagan, he will not change
course with the political winds.

"I'll set a course and stick with it. I'll be on offense on terrorism.
I'll be a fiscal conservative. I'll lower taxes. I'll seek private
market solutions to most problems," he told the Legislature. Politics

The former mayor said he talked to radio host Don Imus, who has been
suspended for two weeks for derogatory remarks about the Rutgers women's
basketball team. Giuliani said he considers Imus' apology sincere.

"I would appear on his program again, sure. I take him at his word,"
Giuliani said.

Asked about the flying of the Confederate flag in some Southern states,
Giuliani said, "That's a good thing to be left on a state-by-state
basis."

Giuliani said he did not recall seeing a Confederate flag during his day
in Alabama - even though there was a display of four Confederate flags
flying beside the Capitol.

The former mayor never mentioned his position on gay rights and abortion
that separate him from traditional Republican voters in the state, but
he said he would always be straight with voters.

"I will tell you what I believe. If you agree with it, fine. If you
don't agree with it, you have a right not to agree with it. If you don't
agree, you have a right not to vote for me," he said.

WASHINGTON - Republican presidential contender Rudy Giuliani says if
elected, he'd be open to his wife attending Cabinet meetings on issues
in which she's interested.

In an interview with Barbara Walters to air Friday on ABC News' "20/20,"
the former New York city mayor and his wife, Judith Nathan Giuliani,
answered questions about the six marriages between them and whether she
was the "other woman" who caused the breakup of his second marriage to
TV personality Donna Hanover.

Rudy Giuliani, the current front-runner in the 2008 GOP race, discussed
what role his wife would play if he wins the White House. In 1990s,
first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton played a prominent role in her
husband's administration, including a failed effort on health care
reform. Her policy efforts created some problems for the couple.

“In my case, I hate abortion,” Giuliani said. “... But ultimately,
because it is an issue of conscience, I would respect a woman’s right to
make a different choice.”

In fact, Giuliani even went so far as to add that “it would be OK” for
the Supreme Court to uphold the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision legalizing
abortion nationwide.

And with that, Giuliani, who is leading the early polls in the 2008
Republican campaign, embraced what sets him starkly apart from the rest
of the field: his unorthodox positions on social issues that motivate
many of the party’s most loyal voters: abortion rights, same-sex
marriage and federally funded research on embryonic stem cells.

Sharp disagreement from rivals
The nine others in the field sharply disagreed, calling on the Supreme
Court to overturn its 1973 abortion decision. Sen. Sam Brownback of
Kansas, a leading figure among conservative Christian voters, said it
would be a “glorious day of human liberty and freedom” if the court ever
did so.

Updated: 9:14 a.m. ET March 19, 2007
TAMPA, Fla. - Rudy Giuliani is defending his law firm's role in
representing Citgo Petroleum before the Texas legislature.

Citgo is ultimately controlled by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.

The Republican presidential candidate says what the Houston firm is
doing is "lawful and honorable." He says it's "helping to protect jobs
for more than 100-thousand Americans

Giuliani acknowledges his opponents will try to exploit the issue. But
he says it "doesn't make any sense." The firm had a contract with Citgo
before Giuliani joined it.

Giuliani was in Florida raising money at a New York Yankees spring
training game. He discussed Chavez during the game, saying he's one of
the reasons why the U.S. needs to develop alternative fuels and become
energy independent. He said, "As the president I would make that my
number-one priority."

Silence is golden
So far, most of the major players in Giuliani's past public sagas have
stayed silent, and that silence may be worth far more to him than any
endorsement.

Skeleton No. 1 is his last police commissioner, Bernard Kerik, once
nominated by President Bush to head the Homeland Security Department.
Kerik's close association with Giuliani became radioactive when Kerik
pleaded guilty last June to a misdemeanor of accepting a gift from a
company seeking city work.

Kerik acknowledged accepting $165,000 in renovations on his Bronx
apartment from a company attempting to land city contracts. But he never
explicitly admitted that his efforts on behalf of the company were tied
to the work on his home.

Kerik is still under investigation, and any further criminal matter
surrounding him will only draw more attention to the relationship with
the former mayor.

Skeleton No. 2 is Giuliani's first police commissioner, William Bratton,
now the police chief in Los Angeles. Working for Giuliani, Bratton began
the police reforms in New York that led to historic crime reductions and
helped turn tawdry Times Square into a Disney-certified tourist
destination.

Bratton's forced departure from New York in 1996 began a debate that
goes on even now: Does the credit Giuliani that claims for the crime
reduction really belong to Bratton?

Skeleton No. 3 is Giuliani's first wife, Regina Peruggi. They married in
1968; Giuliani had the marriage annulled in 1982, on the grounds they
were second cousins once removed.

Skeleton No. 4 is Donna Hanover, his second wife. Their painfully public
separation at the end of Giuliani's time as mayor seriously damaged his
image, but has become overshadowed by his performance in the last months
of 2001.

Each of the four, through their aides, declined to comment.

Additional concerns
In an age when every politician's life is put under the microscope and
analyzed, cracks have already appeared in the candidate's public veneer.

Giuliani's son, a college student, recently acknowledged that he is
essentially estranged from his father and has "a little problem" with
his father's current wife - his stepmother. Judith Giuliani also
revealed that contrary to years of published reports, Giuliani is her
third, nother second husband. Politics


After his son spoke out, Giuliani asked that his family be allowed to
resolve its issues in private. Some of his boosters insist such matters
will not become a serious problem.

"It's going to have a minimal impact, because there's no smoking gun, so
to speak," said King. "They are trying to make it work. It's not ideal,
but I think a lot of people will sympathize."

Diplomacy and Giuliani
The Rev. Al Sharpton - a civil rights activist, former presidential
candidate, and longtime Giuliani foe - said he does not think his fellow
Democrats will attack Giuliani's personal foibles, but fellow
Republicans might.

"I'm not one that ever got into his personal life, but clearly I think
that when you run for president it would be examined," said Sharpton.
"Especially since the Republicans raised it so much with Bill Clinton."

Sharpton cringed at the notion of Giuliani-style diplomacy.

"His view was, 'I'm in charge and no one gets the spotlight but me,' and
he had polarized the city to such a degree that he was a lame-duck
mayor," said Sharpton. "This is not the kind of guy that can go to the
United Nations and negotiate. He is a very inflexible guy in terms of
how he deals with opposition and how he deals with people."

Giuliani's prickly past may not make for inspiring chapters in a
political biography, but maybe they should, argued Henry Stern, a former
parks commissioner under Giuliani.

"He's not like other people. He says things they wouldn't say, he does
things they wouldn't do," said Stern. "I think it's a sharper, New York
edge that he has to him, and it reflects his background."

As much as his pugnacious persona may be better suited to the
sidestreets of Brooklyn than a political podium, Giuliani, in fact, both
plays up and mocks his New York roots, entertaining crowds with
impersonations of old-fashioned New York mobsters.

Stern said his former boss's tendency to take no prisoners and suffer no
fools reminds him of another New Yorker running for the White House:
Hillary Rodham Clinton.

"Both Rudy and Hillary are not apologists or apologizers," Stern said,
"and I think ultimately that comes out as a strength."

It's funny, but I never thought I'd have anything good to say about
Giuliani, but the fact that he's pro-choice is a plus in my book.

SheNerd :)

Giuliani is hated by new yorkers for his leadership...his hands are
dirty from 911 also..
and he's crazy...He does make a good cross dresser however..

@Devinci

Hes too far out of touch with the common American, and an oppurtunistic
ass.

Plus his wife as a cabinet member...

Giuliani is an asshead

Hes leading in the repub primary...

Just shows you where repub's minds are at.....

If you look at MSNBC results from their debate you'll notice Ron Pauls
name coming out of nowhere...should watch his answers to questions..
imressed me..

Ill look thanks

daaaayum fanta!! with giuliani's figures on those milk prices alone i am
heading north to become a dammmm yankee!!!

Giuliani is no different than the rest of the cowards that want to send
our troops to die so some big corporations can get very wealthy. Why do
you think Haliburton paid Channey 20+ million bucks severance for only 8
months work when he first got elected? Only an idiot would believe
haliburton hadn't made that back many times over.

I don't agree with Presidential spouses sitting in on Cabinet meetings.
It doesn't matter who the President is or who the spouse is we didn't
elect the spouse.

I don't particularly have a lot of thoughts about Giuliani. I'm
surprised anyone is talking about him as a candidate. I'm surprised he
got any credit for his actions in the 911 tragedy. Everyone appreciates
a person who holds the hand of people who are hurt and gives words of
encouragement. Speaking well to rally the people and bolster their
spirit is helpful as well. I hardly see that as a uniquely outstanding
characteristic, enabling him to be a front runner in leading our nation.
It might be nice to have someone with an economic policy and an
understanding of the policy. It would be nice to have someone with a
world view and some ideas about how to develop relationships with other
countries. Some historical perspective might be nice.
Unfortunately none of the other frontrunners have struck me as having
the insight needed for the job either. Some have gaping lack of
knowledge and insight about such matters, and others clearly are
clueless. Its a tough choice. Now here is the pickle. You pick a
candidate for their agenda, and their agenda determines who will be in
their cabinet, and who is in a position go give them guidance behind the
scenes. So hopefully the cabinet that goes with your candidate if they
win will have the intelligence and wit to make good choices and offer
good advice. Some of you will be asking the question now of which sort
of dark-horse, behind-the-scenes demagogues you would prefer to make the
choices for your country, the practitioners of geopolitics or the
promoters of civil rights with an eye to the advancement of the middle
class. Unfortunately after deciding on the matter it will be impossible
to determine which is which.
Bread costs $1.50 or $7.50 as far as I know, but it depends on your
taste in bread. I haven't bought a gallon of milk in a few years. Is it
about $2 or $3 a gallon now? Ask me how much ice cream and coffee costs.
I can help you on that one. My haircut costs 5 bucks but I give a five
dollar tip. They do a good job.

Well, we could take a different perspective. So far he hasn't been
smart enough to HIDE anything. Perhaps that's the kind of person we
need. Then, at least, if things went 'too' bad, we wouldn't be in a big
debate over impeachment.

here's a link to see Giuliani in drag...Can any one seriously consider
this guy for
president..give me a break
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IrE6FMpai8

It's clear voters are looking for an experienced leader like Mayor
Giuliani with a track record of results to tackle the difficult issues
currently facing our country," campaign spokeswoman Maria Comella said.
She declined to describe Giuliani's work at Bracewell or how he was
compensated.

Congress, the Pentagon, Energy and Education departments and the
Environmental Protection Agency were among offices most frequently
contacted by Bracewell & Giuliani, reports show.

Issues ran the gamut. Records show the firm:

_Lobbied the Department of Health and Human Services on Medicare
coverage of power scooters and wheelchairs from The Scooter Store. The
Scooter Store agreed Friday to pay a $4 million fine and surrender $43
million in Medicare claims over allegations by the Justice Department
that it had defrauded the government.

_Lobbied the Food and Drug Administration on behalf of UST Public
Affairs' over regulation of tobacco products.

_Tackled copyright protection and legislation on the purchase of cable
TV lineups for News Corp., and DirecTV.

_Lobbied on behalf of Cornell Companies last year for U.S. Bureau of
Prisons contracts. In 2004, the prison operator was named in indictments
of two associates of then-Rep. Tom DeLay, R-Tex. Cornell wasn't charged
but was listed among companies making political donations that
prosecutors said DeLay's associates illegally laundered for use in Texas
campaigns.

_Lobbied Congress on behalf of Concentrax Inc. of Houston, which was
trying to raise government interest in a vehicle-tracking system called
"Track Down." The lobbying work in 2005 came a few years after
Concentrax settled an SEC lawsuit accusing it of falsely claiming to
have won contracts for the vehicle-tracking system.

_Represented a Utah candlemaker, For Every Body, before the Consumer
Product Safety Commission, which last year debated whether to require
mandatory fire standards for candles.

_Lobbied Cheney's office, the Energy Department, EPA and others for
Houston-based Dynegy, one of several energy companies on its client
list.

The firm, previously named Bracewell & Patterson, took in roughly
$500,000 more from Washington lobbying the first year of Giuliani's
partnership than in the previous year, rising from nearly $5.8 million
between mid-2004 and mid-2005 to $6.3 million between mid-2005 and
mid-2006, according to Political MoneyLine.

Managing partner Patrick Oxford declined to discuss Giuliani's
compensation. It is typical for a partner in a law and lobbying firm to
get a share of the firm's proceeds.

"Mayor Giuliani's worldwide reputation for leadership has contributed to
the firm's stature and success," said Oxford, national chairman of
Giuliani's campaign. "Of course, should he be inaugurated as president,
the firm's name will change."

Giuliani, then New York City's mayor, became a national hero after the
2001 attacks on the World Trade Center. He left the mayor's office in
2002 with a $3 million book deal, and last year took in $11.4 million
from speeches alone.

In March, the firm filed papers in a Texas case on behalf of Saudi
Arabia's oil ministry - taking sides with another energy giant, Citgo,
which is controlled by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, a Bush
administration critic. After the 2001 attacks, then-Mayor Giuliani
famously rejected a $10 million check from a Saudi prince to help
terrorism victims.

A year later, Naturex was sued by the U.S. attorney in New York - a job
Giuliani once held - for violating the Controlled Substances Act. A Drug
Enforcement Administration inquiry concluded Naturex had imported and
exported benzaldehyde - a chemical that can be used in amphetamines and
methamphetamines - more than 100 times without telling the government.
In 2004, Giuliani was hired by the pharmaceutical industry to study -
and testified before Congress on - the dangers of importing prescription
drugs.

A spokeswoman for Giuliani Capital Advisors said Monday the firm was
unaware of any inquiry by the DEA into Naturex's business at the time.

Naturex paid $325,000 to settle its case. A company spokeswoman and
attorney did not respond to requests for comment.

he's still an asshead