I won’t vote for Rudy Giuliani for President if he wins the GOP nomination because he never served in the US Military.
But that doesn’t mean that I don’t like the man, especially when he says what needs saying (from an interview on Larry King Live):
GIULIANI: I mean, you can look at the practical and common sense conclusion on that anyway you want. But there’s something more important than that. We have a right of free speech in this country and we elect people to make decisions. Here’s what I would prefer to see them do, though, if you ask me what’s my view on that. The nonbinding resolution thing gets me more than are you for it or against it. I have tremendous respect for the people who feel that we either made a mistake going to war, who voted against the war, who now have come to the conclusion, changed their minds, they have every right to that, that it’s wrong, you should, in a dynamic situation, keep questioning. What I don’t like is the idea of a nonbinding resolution.
KING: Because?
GIULIANI: Because there’s no decision.
KING: But it’s a statement.
GIULIANI: Yes, but that’s what you do. That’s what Tim Russert does and that’s what Rush Limbaugh does. That’s what you guys do, you make comments. We pay them to make decisions, not just to make comments. We pay them to decide. The United States Congress does declarations, the war…
KING: So if you feel that way, withhold funds and that’s the way you feel?
GIULIANI: The ones I think have a better understanding of what their responsibility is and are willing to take a risk are the ones who are saying we’ve got to hold back the funds, we’ve got to vote against the war or we’re for the war. And maybe it’s because I ran a government and I tend to be a decisive person. I like decisions. And I think one of the things wrong with Washington is they don’t want to make tough decisions anymore. Nonbinding resolution about Iraq, no decision on immigration, no decision on Social Security reform, no decision on what to do about energy independence, no decision. You know why that happens? Because it’s unpopular.
Don’t you see he is weaseling here? He, of course, needs to be critical of the Democratic sponsored resolution if he is to win the nomination yet he has phrased it in a way distinct from being tied to the Bush/McCain escalation to appeal to the 60% of Americans that want out of Iraq.
Anyway, his broader point is nonsense- Congress votes on the non-binding resolutions such as the ‘Sense of the Senate’ all the time.
Regarding the other issues- give us time; the Democrats have only had Congress for 42 days. In that time the House has passed:
H.R. 1, “Implementing the 9/11 Commission Recommendations Act of 2007.” passed 299-128, Jan. 9th, 2007
H.R. 2, “Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007.” passed 315-116, Jan. 10th, 2007
H.R. 3, “Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act.” passed 253-174, Jan. 11th, 2007
H.R. 4, “Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act.” passed 255-170, Jan. 12th, 2007
H.R. 5, “College Student Relief Act of 2007.” passed 356-71, Jan. 17th, 2007
H.R. 6, “Creating Long-Term Energy Alternatives for the Nation Act.” passed 264-163, Jan. 18th, 2007