CNN and MSNBC on "America's Mayor"
During the 2 p.m. ET hour of the February 5 edition of MSNBC News Live, host Chris Jansing reported the news that former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani is "expected to file a statement of candidacy" for the 2008 Republican presidential nomination and stated: "Of course, [Giuliani] became known as 'America's Mayor' after 9-11." Similarly, during the 3 p.m. ET hour of the show, New York Daily News senior correspondent David Saltonstall told host Contessa Brewer that Giuliani is a "rock star" outside the Northeast because "he's still 'America's Mayor.' You know, he's the hero of 9-11."
Later, on the February 5 edition of CNN's The Situation Room, host Wolf Blitzer also designated Giuliani "America's Mayor": "Coming up, the man known as 'America's Mayor' takes another step toward running for the White House. We're going to tell you what Rudy Giuliani did today -- in the past few hours." Media Matters for America has repeatedly noted (here, here, here, here, and here) that media figures have touted Giuliani's reputation as "America's Mayor" despite the numerous controversies marking Giuliani's political career.
From 2 p.m. ET hour of the February 5 edition of MSNBC's MSNBC News Live:
JANSING: We are also getting word from the Associated Press that former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani is expected to file a statement of candidacy in the presidential race. A statement of candidacy for the former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani. Of course, he became known as "America's Mayor" after 9-11 and is considered one of the superstars of the Republican Party, somebody who could have a significant impact on how the 2008 presidential race unfolds. Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani expected to file his statement of candidacy in the presidential race.
From the 3 p.m ET hour of the February 5 edition of MSNBC's MSNBC News Live:
BREWER: I know that he's been crisscrossing the country, meeting and greeting folks, and doing all the handshaking. What kind of a response does he get in places outside of the Northeast?
SALTONSTALL: He's a rock star in most of these places because he's still "America's Mayor." You know, he's the hero of 9-11. So he gets standing ovations in places like New Hampshire and South Carolina, and I suspect he'll get one in California this weekend when he addresses the Republican state convention out there.
From the 4 p.m. ET hour of the February 5 edition of CNN's The Situation Room:
BLITZER: Coming up, the man known as "America's Mayor" takes another step toward running for the White House. We're going to tell you what Rudy Giuliani did today -- in the past few hours.
Matthews tonight had Susan Molinari on and said "Its about time America has a mayor with a last name that ends with I" We have had the Fords, Carters , Clintons and Bushes we are ready for a change.
Interesting isnt it?
I saw this interview with Susan Molinari, it was quite the little Rudy lovefest. I like Matthews BUT his adoration of Rudy mystifies me.
Just curious Doris what did you find so "interesting" about Matthews remark: "Its about time America has a mayor with a last name that ends with I" *I think you meant President-not Mayor*
How is that any different than saying: It's about time America has a President that's female or African-American?
Just for the record I'm Italian, BUT I'd never vote for a candidate just because we shared the same ethnic background.
As an Anglo-Saxon male, I am longing for the day when I can vote for an Anglo-Saxon male. How long, Lord, how long?
Point taken Rusty ;-)
Though actually with the exception of JFK [Catholic] I believe each of our US Presidents might be better even better described as simply W.A.S.P's.
However....
IF we are going to make such a HUGE deal in this country about the possibility of say an Hispanic/Latino like Richardson running for President [and being "the first" of his ethnic background], then why not OTHER ethnic backgrounds that have not, as of today, graced the Oval Office.
Or did I miss the elections of:
President Chekhov*President Wang*President Mazarakis* President Rubenstein*
President Sargsian*President Olechowski*President Lacroix*President Singh
President Shokoofi*President Al-Faisal*President Raturandang*President Gorcic
or President Maldini
Heck we haven't even put a Native American in the White House yet...
There's still a lot of FIRSTS out there. Perhaps not as big a deal as FIRST female or FIRST African-American. But IF we're gonna include FIRST Hispanic/Latino in that group...why not others?
Capisce?
Oh, I agree. I was just riffing a little on the last sentence of your post.
I think if Rudy gets the nom we'll be hearing a bit about his heritage, along with all the other blather that's needed to fill 24/7 news programs.
I'd say we elected President Wang in 2004, and to a lesser extent in 2000.
I doubt Rudy will get the nomination, but yeah you're right his Italian heritage will likely be discussed as well as his 3 marriages etc ;-)
Glad I didn't have a mouthful of coffee when I read your post [I might have choked on it laughing]...yeah we already have a President Wang in the White House....good one BTW, you've got a quick mind!
Oh, no...
Did anyone ask Falwell and Dobson and the others on the religious right? Certainly, they would say that Giuliani is not Christian America's Mayor.
How about 'America's Adulterer' or does that only apply to Dems.
Rudy has about as much chance of becoming president as I do, and I really don't like my chances.
Guess on whose show Giulianni is going to show up ?
We have heard much recently about the "spitting on returning soldiers" myth and how it has spread through the media for a generation without any actual evidence of its existance. Has anyone done a through scholarly study of who annoints someone as "America's mayor" and what odd line of group-think leads to this appointment? I recall the days when, I think, the Dallas Cowboys were declared "America's team" by sportswriters, but a lot of good sportswriters have a touch of blowhard about them. We need someone to turn this "America's mayor" cliche into a joke for the late night comedians. With a little luck, they might laugh it out of existance before the next election.
As a huge fan of "America's Team" that moniker is given to the Cowboys for their accomplishments early in their franchise history and that they are highest draws for network TV and merchandise sales. No self-respecting sports writer would ever refer to the Cowboys as "America's Team" unless the Cowboys were in the Super Bow. To give the title "America's Mayor" to stool, who's done nothing... What has he done since he was no longer mayor?... is a joke. He stood on the rubble and said some speeches. I never saw him stay up all night to help remove the rubble. I never saw Giuliani go to bat for those that are still suffering health problems as a result from that fated day.
To treat Giuliani as a "rock star" is entirely the media's doing. I'm willing to bet the average Southerner couldn't care less about some guy from New York City. The gushing and displaying of hard-ons for Giuliani is the same emotions these same puppets (commentators) displayed for Bush and his flight suit. Matthews and Blitzer would whore themselves out to have Giuliani's baby if they could.
The joke is on the American public and the puppets that buy into this notion and the punchline is: Giuliani is a Liberal wearing the skin of a Republican.
"America's Mayor"? Make me laugh and gag at the same time with that bull****. Giuliani is good on social issues, and he was a good leader in the months following 9/11, but to call him the mayor of this country is pretty silly.
I'd agree, and to claim that anything is "America's whatever" is all marketing and media hype.
Echoing some earlier posts, I don't think Rudy is electable, but only because he'll never get the chance in the general election. He got 59% of the vote in his second mayoral election in Democrat-dominated NYC, but I don't see any way he's going to make it through the Republican primaries to steal moderate Democrats. His only chance is if conservative Republicans feel they have to nominate someone who is electable -- the same sentiment that Dems had with Kerry in contrast to Dean. Although I think the Democratic electorate's decision in favor of Kerry was mind-boggling and backfired (oops, but I include myself), it might actually work in favor of the Republicans in 2008 if they nominated Guiliani.
A little off topic, but I don't see how McCain's polling numbers are going to stay as high as they are now. I think people are remembering the maverick 2000 McCain (with the help of the media), not the Bush puppet for the last 6 years 2007 McCain.
this the same mayor,who refuse to give the police officers,fireman, a decent contract,two years of zeros, also the same mayor who was having an affair with his present wife while still bing marry to donna hanover,this is the same mayor who stated the air quality at ground zero was safe to breath, as we all know now the air quality was unsafe,this is mayor who had bernie kerick as his poice commissioner, as we all know now was a criminal
Giuliani's a punk with a Napolean complex, but don't let Mr Tough Guy fool you he's got a military record worthy of limbaugh or cheney, Right now he's the neocons second choice behind mcCain.