Keep Rudy on in NYC?

September 15, 2001 10:37 AM

Keep Rudy on in NYC? Anyone heard of a serious effort to keep Rudy as Mayor in NYC? His performance during this crisis is the best argument for the elimination of term limits I've ever seen.
posted by justkurt (19 comments total)

I think the man has earned a well-deserved rest already. He has performed his best service at the end of his career. It is good to go out on top.
posted by dewelch at 10:42 AM on September 15, 2001

I think term limits will stay...there are too many reasons to keep them. I would look more for some kind of "emergency extension" bill that would put off changing administrations until any declared emergency/disaster period had quieted. Something like that would allow New Yorkers to keep looking to Guiliani during the crisis without requiring him to go on for years (he was planning to back out quietly due to his personal problems). Or, go ahead and change administrations but create a temporary job for Guiliani as the Director of the WTC efforts.
posted by jenwells at 10:55 AM on September 15, 2001

I think in these unique circumstances there's a case for him being allowed to serve another term if he wanted to. I don't, however, think they should eliminate two-term limits because of this. There's a wide variety of arguments for and against the concept and those are what should really be considered; Not an isolated case with so much emotional stock and a situation that is unique and so far removed from the norm.

I think Jenwells idea of a job for him as 'Director of the WTC efforts' is fantastic. Then after everything's done - who knows - the future looks bright for him if he doesn't decide to retire.
posted by Kino at 11:11 AM on September 15, 2001

Go ahead and change administrations but create a temporary job for Guiliani as the Director of the WTC efforts

Great idea: whatever you think of him, he's been a statesman during this crisis. He's clearly too ill to go on as mayor, but he's the right man for his crisis. I suppose even his critics can concede that he remained calm and reassuring. And his face showed that he cared deeply -- in the first 24 hours after the attack, he's been much, much better than Bush
posted by matteo at 11:13 AM on September 15, 2001

While the mayor has acted admirably in this crisis - indeed, I found his words far more uplifting than those of the President - this is no time for a term limits debate.

Still, the notion of postponing the elections or maintaining tha mayor's involvement in the relief effort is a good one.

All that said, let us not forget that there are many New Yorkers who have taken great exception with his leadership over the past few years. From racial profiling and police brutality, he has come under some very harsh criticism.
posted by aladfar at 11:16 AM on September 15, 2001

Wow, only 5 comments to turn this thread into this one.

You should be proud of yourself. :-)
posted by fooljay at 11:19 AM on September 15, 2001

'this is no time for a term limits debate'

I agree - just as it's also no time for highlighting past accusations and criticisms of Guiliani.
posted by Kino at 11:27 AM on September 15, 2001

His performance during this crisis is the best argument for the elimination of term limits I've ever seen.

How does his admittedly excellent performance during this crisis have anything to do with repealing term limits. I thought Clinton did just a wonderful job as President, maybe we could bring him back?
posted by jpoulos at 11:35 AM on September 15, 2001

"..Order order.. All those in favor say 'I' .. I think the i's have it.. The i's have it.."
posted by Kino at 11:39 AM on September 15, 2001

ha... I wonder if any of the mayoral candidates even WANT the job now :)

But seriously, it'd probably be detrimental to both efforts to try to set up a new administration AND deal with the WTC crisis.
posted by MonkeyMeat at 1:04 PM on September 15, 2001

Something that hasn't been mentioned: imagine what it's going to be like for the declared candidates in the mayoral race. All of their campaign plans are completely irrelevant now, and there's probably little relish for the traditionally bruising battle to lead the city. It's become a single-issue election: who's going to lead the rebuilding of Lower Manhattan? Is there the stomach for party politics (or, given Bloomberg's candidacy, personality politics) in the city?
posted by holgate at 1:11 PM on September 15, 2001

....elimination of term limits

We need them on Capitol Hill now more than ever.

Senate - 2 terms

Congress - 4 terms

But, you're right, we can toss this around later.
posted by BarneyFifesBullet at 2:12 PM on September 15, 2001

My opinion is...

but let's not talk about it now.

Nice tactic there Barney, I'll have to remember that one.
posted by Mick at 2:42 PM on September 15, 2001

not from nyc or new york state but he does seem composed and people do seem to admire him as a leader and a sort of cult of personality
posted by foxbasealpha at 3:28 PM on September 15, 2001

Often times, those who are the best governors aren't the best leaders.

Its too bad we can't have seperate elections for each.
posted by Ptrin at 3:57 PM on September 15, 2001

? His performance during this crisis is the best argument for the elimination of term limits I've ever seen.


Why not just make him King of America? Seriously, I think its time we took off our cheerleader outfits and started acting like people who understand why term limits exist and how this is by far the worst reason to ever attempt to appeal them.
posted by skallas at 7:22 PM on September 15, 2001

if it weren't for his health, I expect Giuliani would have been our next President.
posted by kindall at 7:33 PM on September 15, 2001

As someone from New York State but not New York City, I say, thank goodness he's the mayor. And not the senator.
posted by anewc2 at 1:00 AM on September 17, 2001

This is Giuliani's moment. He's good at crises, good at inspirational speeches. Mercifully, this isn't most of what being Mayor of New York involves--over the past eight years, or for the next four.

Yes, we need to rebuild Lower Manhattan. But we also still need to fix the school system, and building a Second Avenue Subway, and do everything else that was necessary a week ago.
posted by rosvicl at 11:18 AM on September 17, 2001