Neck and Neck

I've spent most of my time writing about the Democratic candidates for President on this blog. And while it is true that my ideals overall slant a bit to the left of center, it doesn't mean that I loathe Republicans. In fact, there is one Republican that all voters should take a good hard look at. A Republican who has almost the ideal combination of smarts, toughness and leadership experience. And the Democrats fear him.

Rudy Giuliani.

After 9/11, does anyone think that Giuliani doesn't have the skills necessary to run the country? Does anyone think he would have waged as incompetent a campaign in Iraq as George Bush and the neocons did? Does anyone think he won't stand up and make tough decisions, even if it costs him votes from the base of his party?

Giuliani has that tough to define quality - he's someone you respect even when you disagree with him. He knows who he is, but he listens to others. He's proven to be tough on crime (NYC's crime rate has dropped dramatically while he's been mayor), but he stands up for civil liberties. He's made mistakes in his personal life, but you don't hold it against him because he doesn't lie about it, or make excuses.

Frankly, if Giuliani wins the Republican nomination (and I think he will), he's going to be very tough to beat. And if Barack Obama wins the Democratic nomination (and I think he will), it's going to be a campaign like nothing we have seen. A campaign between, two honest, thoughtful, centrist candidates.

So what's to choose between these two?

There's one small, but perhaps decisive difference between the two. And I'll cover that on my next post.