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GOP presidential candidate, Rudy Giuliani, appeared on Meet The Press this morning and in a stunning reversal of policy, host Tim Russert actually grilled him, asking him tough questions AND followed up. Rudy looked lost and confused at times as he bumbled, stumbled and backtracked his way through this terrible interview. His attempts to defend his shady past and the myriad scandals torpedoing his campaign -- failed miserably.

In this clip, Russert hits America's Mayor with a question about the Iraq Study Group and why he chose to skip ISG meetings to make huge sums of money for speaking engagements. Rudy claims he discussed dropping out with James Baker (that's news), but thought being involved with the ISG would be a bad idea because he was thinking about running for president - but hadn't made up his mind yet. Huh? Being an ISG member would have been a huge feather in his cap now that he's actually running, but why would he bother with such trivial matters as learning how to avoid another disaster like Iraq when he could make major cash on the lecture circuit?

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79 comments

I couldn't believe what I was watching this morning. Rudy imploded for a whole hour. It was great!

Thank you for posting this. I never watch MTP, but I'll watch the repeat tonight.
There's NOTHING I like more than seeing Julie Annie implode. But to have Timmeh
be the trigger man = good times...

It was pretty fun. I loved the question about taxpayers paying for security for a president's mistress. It seems, in theory at least, he thinks it might be necessary. He lied several times and Timmy even called him on it when he said he didn't know his pal Barnie was a crook when he recommended him to protect America.

This guy is so crooked it practically shows through his skin.

Rudy backed out of the ISG because like most Republicans, he doesn't believe in developing policy based on facts.

What a liar.

Conflict of interest? What planet is he on? Your city has been attacked and you don't want to help solve the problem so that it doesn't happen again? WTF!!!!!!

WHAT AN A-HOLE

this was msnbc vs fox in microcosm.
looks like msnbc knows that rudy is fox's horse in the race, and if he wins, he'll let murdoch buy up everything.
expect scrutiny of rudy to get pretty harsh at the other networks

I just finished watching the interview. Kudos to C&L for nailing it. Rudy looked pathetic. I cannot fathom why people think this guy is fit to be a leader of the country. It is so apparent he is out for no one but himself. It's truly revolting how he explains his relationships with those who need security or other consulting. If he was a partner in a law firm, for example, I wouldn't be as concerned. Law firms file suits, defend clients, bill hourly, collect contingency fees, etc. Security firms? "Consulting" firms? WTF??? These business connections seem wholly predicated on Rudy's former employment as prosecutor/mayor. If elected president, he will do everything to help out his network of clients and bootlickers.

The dude's crooked. Keep him out of the White House.

Rudy is just a walking, talking train wreck of a candidate.

I hope and pray Ron Paul gets the GOP nomination.

Rudy is just a bumbling fool. His performance at the last GOP debate he was stumbling over his words just like Romney.

Mike Huckabee is at least well spoken and presidential. I wouldn't choose him as a candidate. But he's at least articulate. Rudy is just screwing up endlessly. I thought his nomination was in the bag like Hillary's. But Hillary still at least has a shot, Rudy is pretty much done.

Just read this on RedState,

On MTP, Rudy Giuliani was splendiferous, and anyone who disagrees is not to be trusted as a human being whose soul is not a clod.

Thought you all might want a laugh.

This was the worst performance I have ever seen on MTP. Timmy wasn't even really pressing Giuliani with follow-ups. (Maybe there was just too much material for one hour?)

Anyways, Rudy is toast.

When Rudy was mayor, he tried to run the city like his own private fiefdom. He doesn't think there's anything wrong with it: he's corrupt to the core. I called him Rudy Mussolini.

The worst moments were at the beginning when Rudy effectively admitted that his anti-terror experience was that he was really good at following the advice of Federal agencies.

Jake @ 4:

This guy is so crooked it practically shows through his skin.

it certainly shows through his lips.

I like the way the clip stops mid lip lick. Nervous little weasel, ain't he.

video killed the new wife smell addicted star

Quit now Rudy, and nobody gets hoit. What a scumbag.

In fact the 9/11 report came out in December of 2005. Giuliani officially declared his candidacy in February of 07. Characterizing it as "the next day" or "three weeks later" is just BS.
It's obvious he had to "clean up" on those commitments.

Chris @ 11:

Timmy wasn't even really pressing Giuliani with follow-ups.

Tim probably just didn't want to have to clean up after Rudy's head exploded from too much pressure from the Left-Bias-Media which I'm sure will be the reason for his spontaneous combustion today.

host Tim Russert actually grilled him

I must have missed that part. Seems to me Rudy got to run off at the mouth making wildly stupid statements with little or no input from Russert.

A Guiliani presidency would be a pandoras box of corruption spreading like the orcs out of the Mordor of organized governmental crime.

It is no surprise that he (RG)would chose CASH over ISG; for he is part of the political elites that professes the notorious "CAROT and STICKS" policy of the current U.S. Regime.

Anything for MONEY.

Grewgills @ 10:

Just read this on RedState,

On MTP, Rudy Giuliani was splendiferous, and anyone who disagrees is not to be trusted as a human being whose soul is not a clod.

Thought you all might want a laugh.

And we only thought those Redstaters were brain dead droids. Please send thanks to this Mongo-loid for offering definite proof.

Russert grilling a Republican? And doing follow up questions????? Actually doing his job as a journalist??????????

This is TIM Russert we're talking about here?

/boggle

I think if the American people want 4 more years of George W Bush style politics - Rudy is their man!

He lies through his teeth, thinks only of himself, making millions and screwing mistresses and has only one platform "Sep 11"!

Geez - the Democrats are spoiled with worthy candidates - Obama, Clinton, Edwards etc and the Repukes have the likes of Giuliani, Romney, Hukabee and Thompson!

Sadly the Right wing rednecks will begin their fear and smear campaign to destroy whichever Democrat candidate wins and then America will probably get 4 years of a Repuke maniac!

Like Senator Biden said about the current administration - "It's like the Nixon admistration without the competence!".

Fingers crossed that America will choose wisely in 2008 and vote for a Democrat! No favorites - they all seem good to me!

So what he's said, if I heard correctly, is that he couldn't serve on the ISC because politically it might affect his run for the presidency.

Unfuckingbelievable.

I'm not sure how this is a better answer than that he just wanted the speaker's fees he would have missed out on by attending the meetings.

Gee, you think Hannity was watching and taking notes on how to question Giuliani. Or maybe NBC has decided that since Fox loves Rudy, they'll go hard on him and easier on.......Huckabee?

The Provokateur @ 21:

A Guiliani presidency would be a pandoras box of corruption spreading like the orcs out of the Mordor of organized governmental crime.

Gee! Just like now. Is this what is called continuity of government?

Ghouliani: Money talks and bullshit and I also walk and talk, we're all close friends; money, bullshit, 9/11 and me!

Rudy: I can't serve on the ISG because it might be a conflict of interest.

$$$$$ure Rudy, we believe you.

Sinto @ 9:

Rudy is just a walking, talking train wreck of a candidate.

I hope and pray Ron Paul gets the GOP nomination.

Rudy is just a bumbling fool. His performance at the last GOP debate he was stumbling over his words just like Romney.

Mike Huckabee is at least well spoken and presidential. I wouldn't choose him as a candidate. But he's at least articulate. Rudy is just screwing up endlessly. I thought his nomination was in the bag like Hillary's. But Hillary still at least has a shot, Rudy is pretty much done.

Huckabee is as phony as the rest of them. He released a rapist killer to get back at Bill Clinton!!! He wanted aids patients quarentined in the 1990's!!! And this jackass packages himself as a "christian" and a preacher. I don't know what bible he's reading from, but it isn't the one that I have read all my life. He is filled with hatred, judgement and self importance. He is an awful human being.

chopper @ 24:

Russert grilling a Republican? And doing follow up questions????? Actually doing his job as a journalist??????????

This is TIM Russert we're talking about here?

/boggle

Who was doing the Russert impersonation? Geez, the makeup was terrific. Looked just like him. Wonder where they hid the body. Is there room in Jersey with Hoffa?

Maybe he thought the ISG would be a failure and so didn't want to tarnish his history that way.

I have heard enough Rudy Giuliani, already, for the balance of my life. I am tired of this despicable human being and fraud---Rudy Giuliani--the former Mayor of NYC.

Mr. XXXX @ 35:

I have heard enough Rudy Giuliani, already, for the balance of my life. I am tired of this despicable human being and fraud---Rudy Giuliani--the former Mayor of NYC.

And, no, I did not waste valuable time watching Rudy Giuliani flap his gums up and down this Sunday on MTP, either.

Also note that Giuliani felt that serving on the ISG would be a conflict of interest with his presidential aspirations, but did not appear to believe that taking (apparently undisclosable) contracts with Giuliani Partners would be a similar conflict of interest. That's as clear a contradiction as you can get.

This guy is truly the scum of the earth.

The people pulling the GOP strings don't want old Rudy to be Americas Mayor/President. No other reason Tim would treat him so.

See how easily and quickly these scumbags fall apart when pushed on anything...

rudy is so fucked up it would take a half hour to read a bullet list of his crimes. and they ARE crimes. no doubt. it just shows how fucked up this country is that he is not indicted along with kerik.

Are Timmeh's orders to jump off the Guiliani bandwagon and onto ... whose? Time...and his next interview of a candidate...will tell.

uhhhh, Republican candidate, I forgot to say.

Notice that in the clip he didn't say shit about the $1.7 million in speeches, even though Russert asked him about it.

I like rudy. I really do.
He's the GOP choice to run but he just cannot stop shooting himself in the foot.
I'm just curious as to how far he'll drag the entire GOP down with his failed presidential bid.
On that, I wish him nothing but luck.

Go Rudy Go.
See Rudy bomb.
Rudy is fruity and is falling on his pituti.
How sad, too bad, to see this tool, become an absolute fool.
Keep on tryin so we can watch the GOP a fryin.

Fantastic to see Rudy's true colors come out as a bumbling, fumbling, crumbling chump.

But just think - if we elect Rudi - we get Judi too! What a wonderful couple to go around the World representing OUR Country. Shudder!!!

When asked about pushing Kerik for the director of the HS department his only defense was that he made a mistake and that he nominates a LOT of people for positions. As if this nomination were the same as some mid-level manager running the NY sanitation department. It was satisfyingly shocking to see Rude self-destruct and to see Pumpinkhead actually ask some tough questions while still trying to fellate Rudy.

so this is why Rudy still idiotically thinks "the terrorists hate us for our freedoms"?

Look at that picture and convince me that this is not an evil man.

Russert asked some tough questions, but he let Giuliani fillibuster, repeat himself and run out the clock. This was especially true during the questions about police protection for Judith Nathan. Plus, I did not hear Russert ask about the biggest scandal of all, the shady accounting and hiding of government money spent on Giuliani's trysts with Nathan in the Hamptons. I wasn't able to watch the whole program -- I found Giuliani's wide-eyed lies, speech impediments and creepy laughter unbearable -- but I suspect that Russert never asked about these expenditures.

I KNOW YOU'RE GONNA LIKE THIS ONE!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0gzmBxsFMg

Hahahahahahaaa!!!!!!

Grewgills @ 10 Says:

Just read this on RedState,

On MTP, Rudy Giuliani was splendiferous, and anyone who disagrees is not to be trusted as a human being whose soul is not a clod.

Thought you all might want a laugh.

Gotta love Redstate. I'd read and comment there, but they banned me after a week. What a bunch of a-holes.

And Rudy? So it's ok for the taxpayers to pay for your wife and your mistress? Great. Thanks for the clarification!

I wouldn't trust this guy to prepare food in a fast food restaurant, to say nothing of running the country.

I was waiting for the tough grilling. The minutes ticked by. The little video slider was nearing the end. When was it to arrive?

And then the video clip was done.

So what if "tweety" asked a little follow up question. Does this pass as a "grilling"? If so, how pathetic.

Besides some bad choices like Kerik, he must be excellent at picking good people, like Bratton. Reason being, he's a fucking ditz if I ever saw one. This guy thinks on the go and most of what he says is bs.

9iu11iani is running on the War Profiteer Party ticket, so no wonder he took the lecture cash over the actual public service.

yeah, right... whatever.

Rudy G. is a mob politician.

sulphurdunn @ 59:

Rudy G. is a mob politician.

Yeah, and that MOB is the Federalist Society.

he quit becasue he is a whore and he also knew he was going to run for president and how could he get the repube nomination if he was actually informed and involved in being critical of the iraq war.

Rudy can't 'splain worth a s*it, can't lie worth a s*it.

But he looks like a s*it, speaks like a s*it, acts like a s*it'

I guess it all evens out, and adds up to the fact that he is a s*it.

Unfortunately, occasionally, we elect s*its as presidents.

But two in a row!!??

Check out Salon's Michael Scherer on the interview http://www.salon.com/politics/roadies/2007/12/09/giuliani_meets_the_press/ and compare it with Josh Marshall's blog entries at TPM. Did these guys watch the same show? I didn't tune in (my TV is a big movie box), so I don't know who to believe.

Didn't you love it when he said, "I had to 'clean things up a bit'". Hmmm, what do you think THAT meant?

Rotten Rudy actually makes my skin crawl. This guy is such a scumbag. I hope that he gets the Republican nomination so that the world will get to see what a piece of crap this guy is. He would sell his soul for power. Every time he opens his mouth nothing but lies comes out. I'm amazed that the media even gives him a platform to spew his vitriolic hatred and outright lies.

How can such a good lawyer be such a bad liar?

The one thing all my very politically diverse family agree on is that we all hate Giuliani, and we still don't understand what he did on Sept 11 that was so positive or laudatory

But today, he ended up repudiating one of his major foreign-policy advisers, the truly wretched rat bastard and bloodthirsty lunatic neocon Norm Podhoretz

Check out the MTP Transcript, truly entertaining when he stiff-arms Podhoretz easily-debunked analysis of the threat Iran poses

“Norman Podhoretz believes that American needs to go to war soon with Iran. As far as he knows, Rudy Giuliani thinks the same thing.

“‘I was asked to come in and give him a briefing on the war, World War IV,’” said Mr. Podhoretz, a founding father of neoconservatism and leading foreign policy adviser to Mr. Giuliani. ‘As far as I can tell there is very little difference in how he sees the war and how I see it.’”

Do you believe that, like Norman Podhoretz, that we should bomb Iran as soon as logistically possible?

MR. GIULIANI: No, I believe what I just said and have said consistently, that military options should not be taken off the table. It could be a big mistake to do that, but that that should be an option that would be even thought about only as a last resort.

***************

MR. RUSSERT: Podhoretz also wrote this, this week. “I entertain an even darker suspicion. It is that the intelligence community, which has for some years now been leaking material calculated to undermine George W. Bush, is doing it again. This time the purpose is to head off the possibility that the president may order air strikes on the Iranian nuclear installations.”

I wonder if Norm ever heard of Valerie Plame, who just happened to be working on determining the reach of Iran's WsMD when she was outed in a hissy fit of political pique. because last I checked, it wasn't the CIA which outed their own agent, and an operative who showed FAR more courage than any of the 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. chickenhawks could ever hope to muster themselves.

Back to Giuliani having to do the "My adviser speaks only for himself" canard

Do you think the intelligence community is intentionally putting this information out?

MR. GIULIANI: I have, I have no reason to believe that. The only thing I can do is interpret the language at face value......

Ahh, the joys of warmongering, delusional neocons getting repudiated by their own fascist-lusting chickenhawk authoritarian candidates

A win-win scenario all the way around

I watched the video and I thought Giuliani gave a credible answer. He didn't seem nervous at all.
I don't understand Logan Murphy's reaction.

(This is not meant as an endorsement of Giuliani.)

Actually, I think the dream ticket for Democrats would be Huckabee-Giuliani. This guy, who gives opportunisim a whole 'nother meaning, is meaner than a s**t-house rat, and Huckabee's crazier than one.

After listening to Bush for 7 years (soon to be 8), can you imagine listening to this weasel for 8???

pny @ 64:

Didn't you love it when he said, "I had to 'clean things up a bit'". Hmmm, what do you think THAT meant?

I bet rubber hoses were somewhow involved.

yeah rudy is a crook.. and that was obvious...

The problem is when it is not as obvious...

I'm a Dr. Ron Paul new Republican... but I would NEVER support anyone other than Dr. Paul..

I won't even support the Dem's now as they have done absolutely NOTHING to stop this group of thugs in the Whitehouse... No hearing on WMD's, Intelligence manipulations, plans for war before 9-11, illegal wiretapping.... Yet a lie about oral sex trumps all those issues...

Dr. Ron Paul has the Integrity Honesty and most of all Judgement.... anyone else would truely leave a bad taste in my mouth....

Unless you can get Dennis K. nominated.... the guy has heart and speaks truth to the powerful elites and the wannabe's

Wow, he is as crooked as they come. A puss filled boil on the ass of the US political system.

Ya well, uhhh, ya see, it's like this Tim....um, I had to break commitments that I had already made....err, break promises I made to various people just in case I were to decide to start campaigning for president, but I had to lie to the Iraq Study Group about that Tim, ya know...lie about the real reasons for quitting because I was sure I could help the country more by starting to raise money for my campaign in case I run for President. I can help the country more that way. That's why I lied. Obviously, I'm the man who should run this country after George Bush (who taught us all ; Never admit you're wrong about the tiniest thing....never acknowledge the tiniest mistake you make ...and if in doubt - LIE.....in fact ALWAYS LIE.....

Ghouliani should have declined the ISG post right away instead of just not showing up.
Complete BS. He's a crass opportunist who has lined his pockets on 9/11. Shameful.

god i can't even finish watching this...it's just one continuous mangle bending of the truth.

This is Pinnochioan.!

I swear Rudy's hair is receding when he is making excuses to Russert.

Went for the dough? Does seem kinda strange. Isn't this the guy who returned the ten million dollar check?

Not sure if that's a picture of Rudy Giuliani, Bela Lugosi, or Simon Bar Sinister.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/82/SimonBarSinister.jpg

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