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Monday, February 26, 2007 12:00 AM

A kinder, gentler Giuliani

"America's mayor" cracks jokes about the weather and smiles warmly as his audience sips wine and smears butter on French rolls.

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  • Monday, February 26, 2007 12:53 PM

    Actually, a pretty good pitch

    Can you feel the love?

    I don't know that you picked a good place to go sarcastic. That last bit is actually a pretty good pitch. What would you do if it was your friend? Sure, I'd help out with some money, but I wouldn't keep supporting him until the day he died. I'd help him help himself or, if he was just trying to live off me, I'd cut him off. To most people, that's common sense.

    It's sophistry, of course. Taking collective action through government to help people is vastly different from an individual helping another individual out. But it sure sounds appealing, doesn't it?

    People in America -- probably everywhere -- love to feel morally justified in keeping their money for themselves. And Republicans, the ostensible party of common sense, hard work and rational self-interest, are a credible source of that particular drug. That's one more reason for the Democrats to nominate someone with charisma, passion and vision, rather than another mealy-mouthed "centrist" trying to triangulate their way into the Presidency. If Rudy can put forth that message in a compelling manner, he'll eat a "Republican Lite" candidate for lunch.

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