Giuliani's method for winning values voters: talk until you hit on some points they can agree with. His speech was nearly twice as long as those of the previous candidates, and started out with a lengthy, roundabout explanation of why he's not publicly religious and doesn't agree with them on all issues, but they should see him as the most "honest" of the candidates. "I'll always be honest with you, I'll always listen to you, and I will always take your views into consideration," he assures them. "You have absolutely nothing to fear from me. I will protect the values that we share, just like I will protect America from the enemies we face."
Really, you should like me better because I don't agree with you:
"Isn't it better that I tell you what I really believe, rather than change my beliefs to fit the prevailing winds? I believe trust is more important than agreement ... If I come out here and just repeat to you what you all believe, then I'm a follower."
No, but really, I am religious: "I don't often publically declare my faith ... But my belief in God and my reliance on his guidance is at the core of who I am." No, come on, I went to religious schools all the way up through undergrad: "I studied religion and philosophy for 16 years and at times almost ended up at seminary. I know that's hard to believe."
For the most part, though, his speech meandered slowly around the abortion and marriage elephants in the room, touching on every possible element of commonality he could come up with and name-dropping Reagan at every opportunity. Hate porn? I won the "pornographists" war on us in Times Square. Hate crime? Hey, so do I! Think abortion is immoral? Well, I'm into adoption. Hate terrorists? I'll make sure "that we remain on offense in the terrorists war on the us."
After 40 minutes or so, he wandered back to his thesis: We don't agree, but you should trust me. I'm honest."You and I know I'm not a perfect person. I feel my faith deeply, although more privately than some, either for the way I was brought up or for other reasons ... I believe we serve God best by serving others ... If we expect perfection from our political leaders, we're just asking for disappointment."
There was a strong but mostly polite round of applause at the end, and it certainly seemed like everyone standing up was doing so to stretch and go get some coffee.
--Kate Sheppard
