His career is not quite toast just yet.
Rudolph William Louis Giuliani, 63, a well-off and well-known citizen with residences in Manhattan and the Hamptons, faces a resumption of private-sector life - as lawyer, businessman, consultant, and social celebrity.
Throughout his yearlong presidential adventure, undoubtedly aware this day could come, the former New York City mayor stayed linked to his partnership and law firm, taking hits on some of the clientele and leaving a key business in the trusted hands of his longtime friend Peter Powers.
And as a self-styled brand name, Giuliani has preserved useful bridges. Sure he spent months playing Twister with his record as mayor, put out ads that missed, and drew the kind of harsh scrutiny that the more sensitive candidates complain about.
But His Honor is expected to retain a player's stake in a certain GOP White House. For the most part, Giuliani kept it friendly with Sen. John McCain, whom he endorses today - some consoling themselves last night with hope of a vice presidential slot for the New Yorker. Some cynics even suggest that Giuliani Partners could become the next, oh, Halliburton.
You can count on Giuliani, at some point, to take as much credit as possible...
Dan Janison
for helping McCain should he win the nomination, and then the mayor can have his second star turn at a Republican convention, though without throwing Bernie Kerik into the speech.
Early on, the two GOP candidates traded kudos. One nasty skirmish arose when McCain talked up the Kerik indictment, and the Giuliani camp responded with the senator's worrisome role years ago in the Keating Five bank scandal.
That exchange became water under the bridge six days ago when McCain volunteered during a debate: "I know this is unusual ... but I happen to know Rudy Giuliani.
"I happen to know he's an American hero."
McCain might have known more than that - like where Giuliani stood with Florida's Republicans....and whom he'd endorse once he dropped out.
Things cannot go back to being the same for Giuliani. Unquestioned TV adulation, lecture tours and book deals that followed the 9/11 attacks have faded. Any political capital conferred to any player in the aftermath of these unprecedented, monstrous terrorist attacks appears long since depleted.
It may seem awkward for Giuliani's partnership to be touting strategic advice so soon after his own election campaign bombastically declared itself bold, innovative and visionary - and promptly burst on the market like a modern-day Edsel.
On Dec. 31, the campaign released a "strategy memo" titled "Looking Good."
"Our rivals seemingly have built campaigns based on the old calendars' strategies," the missive said. "Putting a high priority on spending our time and money in a proportional basis in Florida and the large delegate states voting on Feb. 5 is clearly the right thing to do.
"We clearly have a winning plan to secure the nomination in an election cycle unlike any other. History will prove us right."
It was downhill from there.
Even the mayor's best-selling 2002 book "Leadership" - adorned with gushing "Mayor of the World" quotes from Time magazine - seems to have proved a bit perishable.
"A leader must manage not only results but expectations," he wrote. Like, say, claiming in your mailings that you're the only alternative to a new Clinton presidency?
"Surround yourself with great people," he wrote. Like, say, a soon-to-be-disgraced former police commissioner (whose next federal court date is a week from today)?
"Prepare relentlessly," he wrote. Like, say, by blowing off one key early primary and trying to downplay your efforts in the next?
Now someone else might wish to follow his sound advice.
Comments (1)
Surprise, Surprise NY State GOP, Media & Rudy Kool aid Drinkers......
The New York State Republican Leadership deserves all that came to them last night. The NY GOP clearly has been forewarned about this Rudy demise. Rudy in the eyes of true GOP Americans cannot ever win over this National Party.
As I told New York Political Reporters, Couple of TV Commentators and MANY Inside the New York State GOP........As well as many on this blog and others across this State since last summer.....
Rudy will NOT be the Candidate of the Republican National Party, this whole plan was flawed.... National Base Vote will never go to a Liberal on many issues Rudy had on record. Further, I am on the record since summer that their was serious doubt that Rudy can even win his own State of New York.
I have never met a more "Incompetent Group of Political Strategists" as those in the NY State GOP who really thought Rudy was going to be our next GOP nominee.
1 - NY Transplant voters are NOT Republican, they are Democrats....
2 - Rudy has also received the endorsements in the past years of the Abortion Industry Organizations such as (Planned Parenthood, & NARAL) .....Many Pro-Gay Rights groups and organizations......
And from many of the Anti-Second Amendment groups.
This is not New York politics, this is National Politics, two different animals.
NY State GOP should have kept the field “Open” for all leaders to discuss, interview each candidate, etc…(Morale purposes & Unity as a Party)
But, no….
A group of so called leaders, comes out for “Rudy for President” like “Tigers at Dinner” in their NY State GOP Press Releases…GOP even changing the Primary rules to benefit Rudy of winner take all in delegates.
Just as the NY GOP tried to shove Liberal Weld (Gov) & Pirro & Howard Mills (US Senate) down the throats of the State County Chairs, the GOP has failed again. As many of the GOP Chairs are Conservative and bank on these issues of importance to maintain their Party grass roots.
The NY State GOP once again, will have egg on their face this morning. There will be nothing new about the NY State GOP other the MORE embarrassment.
(BTW...Sean Hannity, Dick Morris, Roger Stone are still waiting for Jean Pirro & Bill Weld to run for Statewide office from last year.......
Further, Sean Hannity & George Will is still crowning Rudy as our next President of these United States)
Conservative Candidates win the National GOP Primary, this is politics 101......
Jim Kelly - NY Conservative Campaigns