Ted Olson makes a funny

November 18, 2007

Of all the ways to introduce Rudy Giuliani, this has to be the least sensible. From the Federalist Society’s 25th anniversary conference:

Just a week after the indictment of former Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik, [former Solicitor General Ted Olson] said Giuliani had shown “the wisdom and humility to surround himself with talented, dedicated and energetic people” as mayor.

Seriously? Giuliani’s strength is his choice in associates? Let’s put that to the test:

* Giuliani inexplicably backed Bernie Kerik, and made him the city’s police commissioner, after he’d been briefed on Kerik’s organized crime connections.

* Alan Placa was accused by a grand jury report of sexually abusing children, as well as helping cover up the sexual abuse of children by other priests. Giuliani then put Placa, his life-long friend, on the payroll of Giuliani Partners. (Adds Anne Barrett Doyle, co-director of BishopAccountability.org, which tracks suspected priest abuse, “I think Rudy Giuliani has to account for his friendship with a credibly accused child molester.”)

* Kenneth Caruso, a close Giuliani friend and business partner, has been accused of conspiring to steal $10 million invested through a Caribbean bank.

* Thomas Ravenel, the chairman of Giuliani’s presidential campaign in South Carolina, was indicted on cocaine distribution charges.

* Arthur Ravenel, the replacement chairman of Giuliani’s presidential campaign in South Carolina, has characterized the NAACP as the “National Association for Retarded People,” and has an unusual fondness for the Confederate battle flag.

* Sen. David Vitter (R-La.), the family-values conservative caught up in a prostitution scandal, was not only Giuliani’s top Senate backer, he was also the regional chairman of Giuliani’s campaign.

A “talented, dedicated and energetic” group, to be sure.

Update: Looks like I might have missed one: Russell Harding.

[F]ormer Rudy Giuliani aide Russell Harding pled guilty to fraud and conspiracy charges in Manhattan federal court. Harding admitted to stealing more than $400,000 from the housing agency he once headed, as well as to possessing a disc, imported from Belgium, filled with pornographic images of children. In his deal with prosecutors, he agreed to serve up to 63 months in prison.

I’d just add that Giuliani hired Harding to run NYC’s Housing Development Corp, despite the fact that Harding had no college degree or background in housing and finance. He was, however, the son of a prominent political backer whose support Giuliani sought to reward.

CB, you posted this morning about Bush being “Not exactly a great judge of character.”

If you’ve liked George W. Bush, you’ll love Rudy Giuliani. Unfortunately, at least 29% of the American people still fit that description.

  • People talk as if Guiliani hired Bernie Kerick in spite of his mobbed up connections as if he was willing to overlook them because of the great talents Bernie has in other areas, when in fact that is precisely why he hired Bernie, because of his connections not in spite of them. Guiliani has something on everybody in his circle and because of their corruption he can count on them doing whatever he tells them to do. The man is a sewer rat and it’s preposterous for him to act as if he has any integrity or cares about the good of anything but his own selfish interests. Guliani has multiple under the table influences which he will deny knowing till his dying day. He was the mayor of NYC giving the police a bye on their brutal actions while surrounding himself with loyalists who knew to give him credit for everything.

    Ted Olson’s introduction is Ironic in the sense that it does what he trying to justify it didn’t…it linked Bernie, Guiliani and corruption together.

  • Sure, you could call the members of a successful criminal gang talented – at breaking the law. Dedicated – to the leader of the gang. And energetic – when it comes to planning and pulling off another heist.

  • Good grief, Ted represented Bush at the Supreme Court in the 2000 selection. Ted knew exactly what he was saying, and will stand by every word of it.

  • Steve, Steve, Steve, you are taking this to inclusively. Ted Olson of the unusual hair means only himself. Rudi is savvy enough to have picked him, Ted Olson, as an advisor.

  • Don’t forget he had Stratton working for him, but then got rid of him. Dick.

    I guess it all works out for the best, though- Stratton got the chance to spread his effective crime-fighting formula elsewhere, probably saving lives in the process. God works in mysterious ways.

  • Oh, and CB, don’t forget that Bernie Kerik was alleged to be stalking Judith Regan. He shouldn’t even do anything that looks like stalking if he’s going to continue living around people. That’s got to be a terrible stigma to live with.

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