Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani smiles during a visit to the Manchester Harley Davidson store in Manchester, N.H., July 14. (AP)
Long ago the hard left learned that relentless attacks--it didn't matter whether they were based on fact or fiction--were crucial in undermining the legitimacy of a policy or person.
This ugly, divisive tactic is on display with President-elect Trump, particularly now in the area of personnel: no matter who he chooses for his cabinet, those individuals will find themselves fodder for leftist teardowns. Even the mere mention of a possible pick will subject that person to baseless assaults. The ultimate object of these character assassinations is to wound the incoming administration before it even begins governing.
Anti-Trump activists, who refuse to accept the legitimate result of a democratic election, have now focused their ire and bile on Rudy Giuliani, a possible pick for our next Secretary of State. America's Mayor deserves better.
Rudy Giuliani is extraordinarily capable. His astonishing turnaround of New York City as its mayor in the 1990s was one of the most impressive achievements of urban governance in American history. His stirring performance during and after 9/11 will forever be a textbook example of effective crisis leadership.
Critics carp that Giuliani doesn't know enough about foreign policy. What planet are these people on? He demonstrated ample foreign policy expertise when he ran for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008. Over the years, he has visited almost 100 nations. He also is close student of history, especially of his hero, Winston Churchill.
Critics carp that Giuliani doesn't know enough about foreign policy. What planet are these people on? He demonstrated ample foreign policy expertise when he ran for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008. Over the years, he has visited almost 100 nations. He also is close student of history, especially of his hero, Winston Churchill.
Mayor Giuliani has been criticized for his business dealings with other nations after he left office as mayor of the Big Apple. This gruel is as thin as it gets. The inconvenient truth is that he never lobbied in the U.S. for a foreign country. All of his overseas business relationships resulted from requests by other countries to provide them with information and advice on security, which is no surprise given the former mayor's obvious expertise and experience in this crucial area.
These and other efforts to help nations to combat terrorism, a cause he obviously and fiercely champions, has led Mayor Giuliani to make more than 100 trips to 80 foreign countries. If President-elect Trump is looking for someone who is ready to start dealing with our allies and adversaries on the first day his administration takes over, Mayor Giuliani offers a level of experience and contacts few other candidates can match. Sen. Lindsay Graham, an expert on foreign policy, has stated he would proudly support Giuliani as Secretary of State.
Every foreign leader, friend or foe, would see in Giuliani a tough and renowned individual who is not the kind of person one can push around. They would know he means business, a vivid contrast to the current occupant of this critical post.
Premature attacks on Rudy Giuliani, just like those on John Bolton, another highly qualified individual whose name has surfaced as a potential member of the Trump administration, are off base. Regardless of how you feel about the results of the election, President-elect Trump deserves the same chance to select his officials and advisors that has traditionally been accorded to all incoming presidents.
And Rudy Giuliani deserves another chance to serve.
Get the recap of top opinion commentary and original content throughout the week.