One of the (many) problems with Rudy Giuliani’s presidential campaign is it’s not entirely clear why he thinks he should be president. For months, his platform has consisted of reminding people of the press conferences he hosted on 9/11. It’s not much of a rationale.
Yesterday, however, the former mayor hoped to show that he has some kind of policy agenda.
Rudolph W. Giuliani on Tuesday outlined what he said would be the 12 major priorities of his presidency, among them fighting terrorism, cutting taxes, achieving energy independence and, in a new theme for him, overhauling the education system.
“These are the 12 things that I believe will change the way we look at this campaign,” Mr. Giuliani said in a speech to a group of New Hampshirites.
That may be true. It’s changed the way I look at this campaign — I’m convinced Giuliani’s presidential aspirations are an even bigger joke than I had previously realized.
His “12 Commitments” read like a laundry list of poll-tested platitudes that manage to say almost nothing about Giuliani, his vision for the future (he appears not to have one), or why anyone should vote for him.
Let’s tackle these bumper-sticker slogans one at a time.
1. I will keep America on offense in the Terrorists’ War on Us.
All of Giuliani’s “offense” rhetoric is hollow and meaningless. The use of the phrase “Terrorists’ War on Us” seems to be an implicit rebranding of the “Global War on Terror,” which apparently Giuliani no longer likes. (Didn’t he just blast John Edwards for coming to the same conclusion?)
2. I will end illegal immigration, secure our borders, and identify every non-citizen in our nation.
First, Giuliani never cared about illegal immigration as mayor, so it’s hard to believe it will suddenly be at the top of his domestic priorities. Second, how, exactly, will he go about “identifying every non-citizen”?
As Digby explained, “I assume from what he said in the debates that he means to do this by forcing all the non-citizens to carry ID cards…. Does anyone have any idea what in the hell he’s talking about? How is this supposed to work? Run anyone who Rudy (or someone else) thinks looks like they might be foreign through the database? Demand that people with foreign accents be prepared to show their ID’s and if they don’t have them — force them to prove they aren’t illegal immigrants? Implant tourists and foreign businessmen with a homing device when they come through the border? I don’t get it.” Neither do I.
3. I will restore fiscal discipline and cut wasteful Washington spending.
First, as mayor, he raised spending and left Bloomberg with a massive budget deficit. Second, when Giuliani gets specific about all of his “wasteful Washington spending,” I’ll be surprised.
4. I will cut taxes and reform the tax code.
Sounds great, but I have a few follow up questions, such as, “What in the world does any of this mean?” Cut whose taxes? By how much? What kind of reform? How much will it cost? Who’ll benefit? Who won’t?
5. I will impose accountability on Washington.
Really? How?
6. I will lead America towards energy independence.
Really? How?
7. I will give Americans more control over, and access to, healthcare with affordable and portable free-market solutions.
In the last debate, Giuliani demonstrated just how little he understands health care policy. This doesn’t help.
8. I will increase adoptions, decrease abortions, and protect the quality of life for our children.
Really? How?
9. I will reform the legal system and appoint strict constructionist judges.
First, what kind of reform? Second, when he was appointing judges in NYC, they were pretty progressive on most issues. How will these “strict constructionist” judges differ.
10. I will ensure that every community in America is prepared for terrorist attacks and natural disasters.
Really? How? For that matter, as James Joyner noted, “99.9% of the communities in America are in essentially no danger from terrorism, so why would you expend federal resources on protecting them?”
11. I will provide access to a quality education to every child in America by giving real school choice to parents.
“School choice” is a euphemism for vouchers, generally used by politicians who know vouchers are unpopular. How would Giuliani get a voucher plan through Congress? How would he make it legal? (Keep in mind, Bush loved vouchers, too — right up until he took office and realized he’d never get them.)
12. I will expand America’s involvement in the global economy and strengthen our reputation around the world.
Well, that’s a relief. Now I can separate Giuliani from the candidates who want the U.S. to compete less in the global economy and prefer that our reputation gets worse.
I can appreciate the fact that Giuliani, perhaps more than other candidates, needs to demonstrate why he’s running, why he’s qualified, and what he’d do if (heaven forbid) he’s elected.
But this laundry list doesn’t tell us anything — except that Giuliani is shallow and desperate, and not above empty political gestures.