I told you this spin was coming. Rudy Giuliani values loyalty over everything, just like George W. Bush. He knew all about Kerik’s problems way back when. It doesn’t matter that his judgment sucks because he is loyal, and loyalty trumps everything. Also, did you know that Giuliani has, like, “a million strengths”, as we saw after 9/11?
“It turns out that Giuliani was briefed about Kerik’s relationship with this allegedly mobbed-up company even before Giuliani named him police commissioner, long before Giuliani recommended Kerik to be Homeland Security Chief,” he told John Roberts on CNN’s American Morning. “So, it raises a lot of questions. Giuliani has a lot of questions to answer on the campaign trail about his judgment.”
The journalist made clear the value Giuliani ascribes to allegiance, perhaps at the expense of pragmatism or honesty. “I’ve been covering Giuliani as long as anyone and I can’t guarantee to you, sitting here this morning, that he wouldn’t make the same mistake again if he became president because Giuliani values loyalty over everything.”
Kirtzman also sees a commonality between Giuliani and President Bush, who stood by embattled confidants Donald Rumsfeld and Alberto Gonzalez long after others defected. “Giuliani and Bush have that trait in common. I think it’s something to look for,” he said.
Kirtzman went on to say that he wonders whether the American people will be willing to overlook a lot of Rudy’s “sins” because he represents their “personal security”. I just don’t know. The fact remains that it takes a special kind of person to be brazenly stubborn, serially dishonest and breathtakingly stupid, in public, repeatedly, just so long as they can remain loyal to their criminal friends. And while some of us see this behavior and think, Asshole, others see it and think, President.
