Memo to Rudy Giuliani: Any time you start a sentence with, "This may be a horrible thing to say," don't finish the sentence! I'm referring to the tasteless attack on President Obama that Rudy made at a fundraiser for Wisconsin governor and GOP presidential hopeful Scott Walker, who, by the way, refuses to say if he believes in evolution or not. (Good grief!)
At the event, Rudy suggested that President Obama doesn't love America, proclaiming, "He wasn't brought up the way you were brought up and I was brought up." (In Rudy's case, that's possibly true since his father served time at Sing Sing for armed robbery!)
On Fox News, Rudy doubled down, saying "It (his comments) can't be racist, Obama's mother was white and his grandfather was white." Second memo: Rudy, when you're in a hole, stop digging!
But many Republicans, including Gov. Walker, stood by Rudy. Some noted that President Obama has apologized for America more than any other president in history, proof that he doesn't love America. (Actually, I think it's proof they've lost their minds.)
Yes, Obama has apologized, but let's consider why. For starters, we went to war in Iraq by mistake, costing us treasure in lives and trillions of dollars. In so doing we decimated a sovereign country, killed tens of thousands of civilians and displaced hundreds of thousands more. We also committed torture of the type for which we had executed the Japanese after World War II. And lastly, on the wall of shame, we still have Guantanamo up and running, the best recruiting tool groups like ISIS have. Yes, I'd say we had a fair amount to apologize for.
But, on the other hand, if anyone loves the U.S. it would be Obama, who was elected the first African-American president in a country that only has a population of 13.2% African-Americans. What a testament to America's greatness, as opposed to being the world's policeman. (We're now in the 15th straight year of war with no end in sight.)
But back to Rudy. On 9/11 and the days after, it was Rudy who was a brave, reassuring face to New Yorkers and the country. But where was George Bush? Shouldn't that have been his job? Then again, where was George Bush during Katrina? Having birthday cake and playing air guitar at John McCain's party in Arizona.
The truth is, if you peel back the onion on Rudy, he's often left a lot to be desired. For example, when the World Trade Center was bombed in 1993, the terrorists swore they'd return. Many advisers encouraged Rudy to move New York City's emergency command center underground, possibly in Brooklyn.
But Rudy insisted the command center stay in the WTC, reportedly so he could walk there. The only problem on 9/11 was the WTC was in rubble by the time he got there. I'm reminded of Texas Gov. Rick Perry's infamous quote at a 2012 Republican presidential debate when he couldn't count to three: "Oops."
And if you ask New York first responders, many say Rudy completely failed between '93 and 2001 to correct the faulty radio system and other issues relating to emergency services. The fact is, long before 2001, despite being a two-term mayor, Rudy was a joke to many in the Big Apple.
For example, Rudy's personal life was in such shambles that his wife threw him out of Gracie Mansion. He wound up sleeping on the floor in some gay friends' apartment. And his judgment was questioned in other areas, for example, his appointment of his onetime personal driver, Bernie Kerik, as police Commissioner.
How bad was Kerik? In 2006 he pleaded guilty to two ethics violations and was ordered to pay $221,000 for work on his own residence he'd received from contractors expecting future contracts. Cosiderably worse, in 2009 he pleaded guilty to eight charges including criminal conspiracy, tax fraud, and lying under oath and was given four years in federal prison.
Despite all this, in 2008 Rudy ran for the Republican presidential nomination, though he put all his eggs in one basket. But he got so thoroughly trounced in Florida that he went from America's Mayor to America's Buffoon, or the political equivalent of a Kardashian.
So why did Rudy suddenly question Obama's love for America? Money. You see, Rudy makes a fortune giving speeches to the right wing and personal attacks on Obama and his family are red meat for the base. But this begs the question: How much does Rudy love America?
Interestingly, Obama's grandfather and uncle both served in the military. But when it came his time for Rudy's military service he applied for and received six deferments. (One more than Dick Cheney!) Ultimately, Rudy got a permanent exemption from a federal judge for whom he clerked. Oops.
Jack is at facebook.com/jackneworth and twitter.com/jackneworth and can be reached at jnsmdp@aol.com.
