It’s The Courts, Stupid
James Taranto profiles one of Rudy Giuliani's key advisers, Ted Olson. Giuliani and Olson have been friends for decades and Olson is supporting Rudy for President. For some very good reasons: the courts and who will sit on the bench.
WASHINGTON–Rudy Giuliani doesn't always follow Ted Olson's advice. "I remember conversations with Rudy before he became mayor when he was thinking about running," Mr. Olson says. "I was asking him, 'Why in the world would you want to do this? A, you can't get elected. You're a Republican; it's New York City. And B, there's nothing that can be done about New York City. It's too big; the problems are too deeply engrafted onto the city; the city's in the grip of labor unions, crime, high taxes, heavy burdens. The city's a terrible place, and it's too big to govern.' "
Just as Mr. Olson was sure Mr. Giuliani couldn't get elected in New York because of his party, it has been a common assumption that the former mayor cannot win the Republican presidential nomination because of his liberal positions on social issues, particularly abortion and guns. Mr. Olson is one of the nation's top conservative lawyers, having represented President-elect Bush in Bush v. Gore and served as Mr. Bush's solicitor general. As chairman of Mr. Giuliani's Justice Advisory Committee, he intends to help the candidate defy conventional wisdom again.
Sitting in Mr. Olson's law office during our early-morning interview, I ask how his candidate can reassure social conservatives. Mr. Olson points to the judiciary: "Judges have taken some of those decisions off the policy table, taking them away from the people by constitutionalizing these issues. The only thing that someone elected president can do about those things is appoint good, solid judges who will act as judges–interpret the law, not make it up; not create new rights that weren't there in the Constitution. I am convinced . . . that Rudy knows how important it is to appoint the right kind of individuals as judges, and that he will do that."
Olson, you may recall, has a horribly personal take on the events of 9/11. His wife, Barbara, was on American Airlines Flight 77 when it was crashed into the Pentagon. So his connection to Rudy on fighting terror is very, very strong. So is his opinion of Giuliani's response to the events of that day.
If 9/11 was personally devastating for Mr. Olson, it was politically transformative for Mr. Giuliani. The mayor's calm in the face of catastrophe made him a national hero. As Time magazine put it in proclaiming him Person of the Year, "When the day of infamy came, Giuliani seized it as if he had been waiting for it all his life, taking on half a dozen critical roles and performing each masterfully."
Mr. Olson echoes the sentiment: "You can't prepare as a leader for something like that. You don't know what you're going to do. You don't know what you're going to be made of. His instincts were the kind of instincts that we need in a leader. He went to where the problem was. He understood what the people needed in terms of compassion, in terms of stability, in terms of determination, in terms of inspiration. 'We will fight back. We are New Yorkers. We will not be defeated. We are Americans.' Those are the things people needed to hear."
Regardless of who ultimately wins the Republican nomination, the main thing to remember is the courts. Obviously, I am a strong supporter of the Second Amendment as an individual right. Yet I am very nervous about how the court will rule on the District of Columbia v. Heller case. I would be more than just worried if the court was packed with left-leaning activist judges.
Remember, it's the courts. Don't be stupid and forget that.
By Vmaximus, Saturday, 24 November , 2007 @ 12:41 pm
Gaius,
What do you think about Rudy and the gun issue? I like Rudy, and will obviously vote for him should he get the nomination, but I am nervous about his stance on guns.
On one hand He is doing the opposite of pandering, saying I believe in abortion, but will do nothing about it. But appoint good judges. I find that refreshing and honest, but on the other I think it shows a character issue. (I am sorry to bring up the A work while talking 2nd amendment) (I have not heard Rudy speak clearly on the gun issue and seeing as he is contrary on these 2 issues I only link them for that reason)
I am not “for” anyone yet, I have reservations about Fred, and Romney, don’t think much about Huck, but haven’t ruled him out entirely. I am “for” Hunter, but am dismayed at his poll #s so I really have no Idea.
By NortonPete, Saturday, 24 November , 2007 @ 5:20 pm
I walked the street of NYC late at night while Rudy was the mayor, I felt safe the police were very visible and life was good. Rudy is a tough person and he did break the Fulton fish market syndicate. Rudy had his
hands full with a unique problem to NY and NJ. In NY and NJ gun control laws are historically strict, but the influx of illegal guns is high. So what do you do? Reverse the strict laws, which would be political suicide or hold the line? Rudy did what he thought was best for NYC given the time and situation. I believe he will adapt to the nation in kind, he realizes that the USA is not NYC. I’ve sent money to John McCain’s campaign numerous times but his candidacy is not gaining traction, perhaps due to his age. I find age ridiculous today as I would vote my 91 year old friend in a second. He is far more lucent and has more energy than most 30 year olds.