Rudy Giuliani to keynote GOP confab; Joe Lieberman also will speak

A year ago, when Rudy Giuliani was ranked first in the polls among the pack of Republican presidential contenders and conventional wisdom tabbed Mitt Romney as his main rival, the former mayor of New York would go out of his way to say nice things about John McCain -- then widely viewed as the candidate who had blown his shot at the GOP nod.

Now comes word that Giuliani, whose White House bid is remembered for being much ado about very little, will get another chance to say nice things about McCain -- this time as the keynote speaker at the convention that will crown  the Arizona senator as the Republican nominee.

Assigned that slot on the list of convention speakers released today, Giuliani's oratory on the confab's Tuesday night inevitably will be compared with the comparable speech the week before by his Democratic counterpart -- former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner.

One big difference: Warner's performance will be evaluated with an eye toward how he might do as a future presidential contender; Giuliani's flame-out this year was so spectacular that only he and his closest friends could seriously envision him traveling that path again.

The convention's opening act on Monday, Sept. 1, features by far the most intriguing slate of speakers.

Listed first is Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, which presumably means he gets the prime-time spot to elucidate the public on his transformation from 2000 Democratic vice-presidential candidate to party renegade to unrelenting basher of Barack Obama.

Also on stage that night -- and no doubt ushered off it and away from the proceedings as quickly as possible by the McCain folks -- are President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney.

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger gets to say a few words; the media will be watching carefully to see if they include mention of his disagreement with McCain on offshore oil drilling.

And here's our guess for the speaker who gets the warmest welcome as the convention kicks off: first lady Laura Bush.

-- Don Frederick

Photo credit: Associated Press

Comments

[erik]

Come on lets all do the chant together!!!!

-End Abortion!! its a sin we are Pro-life!! (We don't care really, but gets us automatic unwavering support)
-Guns, Guns, Guns (I'm not a republican and I have two, does that make me a terrorist?)
-TERROR IS LOOMING AT YOUR FRONT DOOR!!!

With this half of America will automatically come to beckon thy call.. These bunch of nit-wits are the same ones that elected Bush and Cheney not once but twice... They fall for it hook line and sinker but still have the audacity to complain why the only jobs they can get are at wal-mart, or why they pay $4 plus to gas up their truck. Shut up, go eat your fried mayonnaise balls, and please stop voting!!!..Now we have a guy who's real claim to fame is..Drum roll please....Yes he was shot down in a plane.. Nope he doesn't understand business, nope hes never excelled at anything in his life!! Well other than pandering and telling war stories but Americans shout HERO!!!!, Patriot!!! Ummm wow... How dumb is America? Grampa tell us another story...pleeassseee

[Patrick]

I challenge Erik to watch a video of a late term partial birth abortion before he makes such comments. At least McCain does not support that horriffic procedure like Obama does. Obama is as pro-choice as they come. If I am a nitwit for believing that abortion is murder, so be it.

[skippy]

I got a look at Rudy Giuliani's speech ... the jist of is ...
September 11th,September 11th,September 11th,war on terror, global war on terror, September 11th,September 11th
fear, fear, fear and more fear.... then Cheney steps up there followed by Liberman and more the same.
FEAR FEAR FEAR.

[Roadlizard7]

Erik,

A taxpayer voting for Obama is like a chicken voting for Colonel Sanders. Your wallet is the only place the Democrats want to drill.

[KMW]

When your taxes really go up, erik, then please think back about your stupid remarks.

[Peter]

If McCain picks Romney or lieberman watch that little bump McCain has gotten in the polls disappear. Romney will Hurt McCain with the evengelicals and christian base of the Party, they will turn and Run. Put Huckabee on the ticket and get the Base excited all ready, Then you can win this thing. No one is going to "Not" vote for McCain if he picks Huckabee., If he Picks Romney There will be a ton of People that Wont Vote for McCain. Whats really going on is Romney belongs to the RNC. The RNC wants to make sure that they stay in power. By putting bush 4 in office ie (Romney) after McCains term is over. The RNC dont like Huckabee because he is more for the working class. That is blasphemy in the GOP. Y McCain will lose if he picks Romney http://www.hotpres.com I guess someone is making a movie about Obama's teenage years. http://www.theobamaplan.com
watch video of McCain talking about his failed first marrige at http://www.mccanes.com

[Back From Iraq]

eric, your comment is the predicted liberal reaction as Obama's campaign slips from "frantically desperate" to "hopelessly demoralized?" Is that how you feel sir?
As for John McCain; yes, he was shot down ... over North Vietnam following 27 successful combat missions from the deck of an aircraft carrier at sea. Too, McCain served as a senior naval officer at a naval air command after the war, and served as a leading United States senator for more years than you could spell. So, go pound your head against the wall of your local Starbucks and keep complaining, because the morning of November 5th will be an Alka-Seltzer moment for you and the unbathed few who want to impose your brand of liberal anti-Americanism on a nation you so totally despise.

[Peter]

McCain is a PRO WAR> the commenter is right above. McCain only has stories., in the forum he didnt even answer questions. Instead he told stories which he has memorized and repeated at everytown hall meeting he has ever had. Obama might lead to the great depression. But McCain will probably lead to the Great Depression with a side of WWIII. We should probably elect someone who has to at least live with the choices they make in the white house. McCain will be checking out soon, What does he care if he leaves this country in a mess. The US presidency is just a prize to him. I hate the two party system. Makes me want to puke.

[Mike in Philly]

Do we really have to endure Rudy's speech impediment while he pontificates about Republican "values?" I wonder if his three wives will attend?

[Rhino]

Gun Control and Abortion are divisive issues that the Republicans use just as shamefully as the Democrats use Global Warming and Gay Rights.

The reality is that when we let the politicians press our political hot buttons, we put on blinders and we lose control of our Country.

America needs to wake-up! Stop spending more money than we make, start taking care of our planet, stop peddling pornography, start educating our children, stop cheating on our wives and husbands, and start helping eachother through the rough times instead of bickering about who's fault it is that we got ourselves into them in the first place.

[KProctor]

Rudy gets to do a speech at the GOP convention...yet the don't even want Ron Paul on the floor. The GOP sends a great message to Independents voters and some Republicans...if you believe in Constitutionalism, and individual liberty, your best choice for President is Libertarian Bob Barr.

[mike]

Morons like eric come from the land of hanging chads.
It's good he wants to vote for obama, he will likely mistakenly vote for McCain, if he votes at all. Most likely he will spend election day playing video games and eating cheetos. ERIC, leave thinking to peeps with half a brain stem. Hey eric, why don't you buy a flight simulator game and see how you do? You will probably need help from your little sister loading it. Don't pound too loud on the table when you crash, the imaginary Viet Cong might find you and break your arms. Then you won't be able to stuff the cheetos in your mouth in between whineing about people who actually did something with their real lives. Just keep on being a basement dwelling perverted little porn peeping pissant. And don't bother us anymore.

[Back From Iraq]

eric, your comment is the predicted liberal reaction as Obama's campaign slips from "frantically desperate" to "hopelessly demoralized?" Is that how you feel sir?
As for John McCain; yes, he was shot down ... over North Vietnam following 27 successful combat missions from the deck of an aircraft carrier at sea. Too, McCain served as a senior naval officer at a naval air command after the war, and served as a leading United States senator for more years than you could spell. So, go pound your head against the wall of your local Starbucks and keep complaining, because the morning of November 5th will be an Alka-Seltzer moment for you and the unbathed few who want to impose your brand of liberal anti-Americanism on a nation you so totally despise.

[Superbad]

Erik:"How dumb is America?" Good question, Eric. Just read your own comments. The height of how dumb someone is, is Ad Hominem attacks instead of addressing the issues specifically. I guess Russia invading Georgia (no Erik, not the state, Georgia is a country next to Russia) while instigating the Ukraine (also next to Russia) was something Bush did just for the convenience of scare mongering for a couple votes? Perhaps you didnt notice how Russia in the past turned off if oil pipeline to punish its pro-NATO neighbors as a means of excercising economic control? Remember NATO is not a friend of Bush, NATO is on your side of the line, so perhaps you could consider that a country was invaded for YOUR agenda. Thats not scare mongering, its reality. Further, did you happen to notice how world gas prices spiked when Russia shut down piplines? Of curse not, judging by your comments, you have a one track mind of "everything is Bushs fault and I dont want to hear anything else." Further the reason Russia invaded Georgia is because Georgia has access to the sea with its oil pipelines. By intimidating and invading its neighbors, Russia significantly controls political agenda in its region as well as world gas prices through increase in the price of crude. Of course with you blind agenda, your buying into Russia rhetoric that it was "saving its people" in South Ostettia. Had you a clue you would realize that "its people" were merely citizens of another country who had passports to Russia. In no country in the world does having a passport make you a "citizen". Congratulations on showing us what a "dumb" person is. Ill suggest your picture next to the definition in Websters dictionary. BTW you got Pwnd and dont let the door slam your backside on the way out of the LA Times Opinion room.

[david in WHFD]

Patrick @ 12:27- I'm pretty sure you distorted Obama's position. My understanding is that Obama supports Roe v. Wade, which provides a constitutional right for a woman to terminate a pregnancy. Obama voted against banning late term abortions because the proposed ban did not provide an exception which would allow such abortions in the cases of women whose health was at risk. In other words, if a pregnant woman's health was at risk, the proposed ban would not allow the sick pregnant woman to get an abortion, even if getting the abortion would help to save the mother's life. That's a far cry from the position you claim he holds. If you were simply misinformed, consider this a correction. If you deliberately distorted his position, one has to ask why?

[Michael]

You Repubs are real masochists. After 8 years of total incompetance and corruption all you can do is bend over and say "yes sir I'd like another!"

[DM]

You so-called Christians blasphem Jesus and God everytime you wrap yourselves in religion as a means of getting elected. You were faked off by and elected Bush - you are trying to elect another one of your false prophets, who claims religion but does not live by the Word. You even have a real Judas in cheating Joe Lieberman. If you are true believers, you should be worried about where you are headed in the after life.

[mitchell in NY]

Did you hear, McCain seems to be in favor of bringing back the draft?
http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/20/mccain-support-draft/

Just wait until the American public finds out what he really stands for, including staying the course with the current heath care system.

http://msa4.wordpress.com/
“A Dozen Reasons Why McCain Won’t Win: Money-Back Guarantee”

[Robert Mugabe]

Hey Eric ! Still hanging around with the moove on bums and peddling the Soros marxist/socialist venom eh! Looks
like your party will be true to itself again by snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.Americans have very little
appetite for the gulag and blood baths a la Stalin.
Pyong Yang,Tehran or Havana would be ideal places for
you to moove to and I would love to help you pack.Do you
like sex and travel ?

[jp]

maybe the democrats can scratch their current Key Note speaker and ask a representative from the families of the victims of 911 to speak asking for a more in depth investigation, as a counter to trotting Rudy out.

[dave]

well, so the whole neocon crime syndicate will have the floor to themselves, and their con coronation charade. the REAL, constitutional republican convention with the legitimate republican candidate for president, RON PAUL, will meanwhile take place at the target center in minneapolis (rally for the republic). just in case people can't stomach the neocon load, and realize that this is not representative or worthy of the human species, nor america.

[tlsmith1963]

I am asking the liberal people here: are you sick of putting up with these conservative morons who keep coming on here & saying the most horrible things about us? I know I am. It's time for us to stick up for ourselves. Don't let them say these things about us. The conservatives are bullies who are destroying America & the world. Stand up to the bully. You have nothing to be ashamed of, & nothing to apologize for. You don't hate this country. You are not traitors. Don't let these jerks push us around anymore.