Rich lady wond'ring what the undertaker said
cell phones ringing in the pockets of the dead
-Willie Nile

Sixth way: He doesn't take running for president seriously. Possible.

I vote (4) and (5).

Sixth: He's too goddamned stupid to turn off the fucking phone.

Fifth way: He's so enormously full of himself that he doesn't think the ordinary rules of common courtesy apply to him. This strikes me as quite plausible.

He was a DA and then a Mayor, so he spent his time on the phone constantly. And he LIKES it, because not being on the phone would require thought and/or being alone and/or working a con. The man, in short, likes to yakk, and that's why he's always shooting his fucking mouth off, since he doesn't spend any time thinking.

I'd like to say I'm surprised that he ever got any work done, but then from what I can tell, he never really got any work done.

max
['So, being ineffectual is definitely a point in his favor, to offset the Il Duce thing.']

How about: His staff is lying now that the cover was very predictably blown off this dumb stunt. And the cover story is just as goofy and unbelievable as the stunt, and maybe more damaging.

The problem would be here, that it shows the staff and the candidate are arrogant and dim.

Rudy is an American Hero! He was mayor of a city attacked on 9/11!

I vote 2, 3, 4, and 5. Plus 6: Max is probably right, too.

and/or being alone and/or not working a con

['So, being ineffectual is definitely a point in his favor, to offset the Il Duce thing.']

Now that I think about this, it occurs to me that Bush narcissism parallels Hitler's narcissism and Guilani's eternal yakking ineptitude parallels Mussolini's very similar traits. ('I was mayor on 9/11' becomes the equivalent of 'making the trains run on time'.)

So we're supposed to want to trade Hitler (for Jesus!) for Mussolini (for dresses!).

max
['As I said, it improves Guilani, actually. I mean if I wind up trading a dead rotten fish for another dead rotten fish, at least the other one won't be quite so poisonous.']

ps the answer is a combo of 2 and 5

4 & 5 are most verisimilar.

Perhaps both views presented in the WSJ article are true: the senior staffers encourage(d) him to do this to appear candid and spontaneous, but they haven't told the lesser staff t about this strategy, because the lower staff, as the WSJ article shows, are a bunch of leakers. The lower staff, like the rest of humanity of course, thinks the stunt is asinine.

One simple way to verify this: does she really call that frequently at all times of day (not just when he's giving speeches), and was that really her on the phone?

Rudy genuinely doesn't realize that taking a phone call in the middle of a speech is rude. But this suggests a lack of emotional intelligence so stunning that even I don't think Rudy is capable of it

No one could have predicted a rude NYer....

Rudy's thinking is a variant of #2: he knows it's a dickish move but that's what Republicans know and love. If Rudy's that obnoxious to his supporters, just think how he'll treat LIEberals and DemocRATs!

What's worse, taking a phone call while you're in a meeting or speech, or tying your dog to the roof of a moving car so he poops all over the back window (and thanks to your calm leadership you simply hose off the car and continue driving)

You're all somewhat correct. However, the real answer is #7: I want to kick that smarmy, dickish punk in the nuts.

I forget where I read it (maybe Ezra's blog), but a commenter there said (paraphrasing) that Judi remembers being the other woman, and knows that if Rudy's not answering his cell phone, he could be off schtupping Judi's eventual replacement.

So the phone stays on so she can keep tabs on him. My bet is it's in the pre-nup!

I think it's a calculated two cushion shot to play to The Base. Eric above is right about the first part - being a dick, they call it "projecting strength", gets these people going. The second part is the guy is on his third wife and was absolutely awful to the second one, so the calls shows how much he really, really loves his third wife, making him look like he's upholding traditional marriage, at least now.

Put me down for #5. Our Republican overlords operate on another plain of existence from us mere mortals. I imagine Rudy would be be dumbfounded if you suggested he comport himself according to the decent rules of society and mutual respect.

Not because he knows he's acting inappropriately and doing it anyway, but because he is one of the Great Men, and by virtue of this and much like George W. Bush, whatever he does, by definition, is correct and just. What a pompous asshole.

Everybody thought it was a stunt at first. Maybe he's trying to cover it up now, to make it looks like he just takes phone calls, so the one time wasn't a stunt. Sub-text: “See, it wasn’t a stunt, he just thinks it’s ok to answer his phone for some reason. Not the worst quirk you could have.� Only thing is, it sticks out like a sore thumb to do it at all- no one thinks it’s ok to answer a phone in the middle of a presentation- it’s common sense.

Sixth: You're scraping the barrel trying to find something on Rudy that will stick. Taking phone calls in public is uncultured? Heck, the last president took blowjobs in the Oval Office, and none of you cared.

Clinton!Clinton!
Clinton!
Clinton!
Clinton!
Clinton!

I go with #2. He's been told by someone like Rove that the way to turn his weakness (that he appears disconnected, unsympathetic, and lacking in 'family values') into a strength is by pulling this stunt to show what a real, caring, family man he is.

So he'll pull the stunt over and over.

Tranparent Rove-ishness.

re: Rude New Yorker comment

No place in America is more polite about cellphone usage. Just TRY answering a cellphone in a restaurant in New York. You'll be glared out of there if not asked to leave outright.

New Yorkers don't take kindly to people yapping on their cellphones. And frankly, New Yorkers aren't rude. They are blunt. No place is as friendly and open minded as New Yorkers. And I say this as Chicagoan.

Rudy knows he's being a jackass but he gets off on that. He's mayoral administration was one stunt after another. Most New Yorkers were tired of it by the end.

The correct answer is 4 - Rudy's uxoriousness is so severe, he has to cater to her every whim.

My brothers both have personality disorders (with brief psychotic periods) and I have to say, quite seriously, I get a disturbing vibe from Rudy that quite reminds me of them.

Phone calls are tolerable. What's more worrisome is when the Cialis kicks in during staff meetings. Relieving himself under the conference table must command a few stifled gasps.........

I'd really like to thank today's GOP presidential candidates, for continuing to provide me daily affirmation that my decision in March 1988 to quit the Republican Party and formally become a card-carrying Democrat was in fact the correct call.

How many of you have gone through different cell phone plans because of a romantic break up? How many of you have had cell phones flushed, stolen, thrown into wheatfields because of romantic troubles?

Believe me, take the call!

This has been underplayed when it comes to Rudy's explanation to David Brody about 9/11 causing him to want to keep contact with his wife:

JUDY WAS NOT HIS WIFE ON 9/11! He was still married to Donna at that point.

The only good thing about the Rudy candidacy is that if it comes down to Rudy vs. Hillary, the Right will be able to say NOTHING about family values. It will completely stifle any comments about Bill & Hillary's relationship which is a model one compared to Judy & Rudy.

I'd go with #5, and maybe #2. Like our current pResident, he thinks the rules don't apply to him, but really, doesn't his wife know when & where he'll be speaking at any given time? Don't they talk? He could say, "Honey, I'll be speaking from 10:00 to 11:00. I'll call you as soon as I'm done." But he doesn't. So he must think it enhances his image somehow.

I think it obvious what is going on here. The calls are intended to portray Rudy as a dedicated husband and detract from his past. Judy cannot be so stupid as to call the guy during an important speech unknowing of the event. No, she probably calculates the best time for the call, makes it and then waits for Rudy's feedback. I don't think there is much else to it.

Maybe he honestly can't turn off the cell phone. I mean, his record of controlling communications technology isn't so hot. Remember 9/11.

I vote for #5, with a soupcon of #2.

Has ash now been reincarnated as max?

And DC1974 is right about New Yorkers and cell phones: They don't put up with that crap in restaurants; they even get after loud cell talkers on the bus. The day Chicagoans enact and strictly enforce an ordinance that stops cell use in theaters and cinemas is the day it can begin to compete with New York in big-city civility. Hell, we can't even get our morons to hang up long enough to notice they're running over us in crosswalks.

Judy cannot be so stupid as to call the guy during an important speech unknowing of the event. No, she probably calculates the best time for the cal

Ten bucks says that it isn't even the wife making the call. Probably a staffer offstage, or maybe Rudy speed dialing his crackberry with his treo.

I vote for number 1. There are a surprising number of people out there who simply don't realize how rude it is to answer a cell phone when you're with people. For someone who has as much ego as Rudy does, I'm sure he thinks that if it's his personal cell ringing he's important enough that everyone else can wait for him to get done with the call.

I had to take the calls. What if it was about a terrorist that they needed me to be America's Mayor about? 9/11 9/11 9/11.

9/11!

Rudy is such a fucking fruitcake. Not ready for prime time. I'd love to see him manage to not only get crushed by Clinton but destroy the Republicans by forcing the hard right to run a third party candidate.

Rudy is a win win win situation for Democrats, IMO.

Just a question, Kevin--Why is Rudy polling so well against all of the Dems in California?

If he paused and had phone sex, then maybe we could believe this wasn't a ploy.

Are you sure it's not Hillary calling to cackle at Rudy?

Cell phones emabled the brave passengers of United Flight 93 to fight back against terror and save the White House from destruction on 9/11. That is why it is a matter of national security to talk on our cell phones whenever possible, just like on 9/11.

Also, Rudy is batshit crazy, like the terrorists who attacked us on 9/11.

Lisa Schiffren actually making sense this morning on NRO's The Corner:

"Judith is a liability and a half. She is vulgar, uneducated, grasping and insecure — and has failed to keep those attributes hidden. She offends major donors right and left by being rude — especially to their wives, especially the attractive wives. It is hard to imagine the kind of graciousness and equanimity that we like to see in First Ladies emerging from her little bag of tricks. BUT—- Rudy is stuck. He publicly ditched two previous wives to get to her. He is said to be less starry-eyed about his bride these days. But this time he is going to have to work things out."

Meow!

As other people have indicated, it's probably the Sixth way: a stunt concocted to make him look like a family man.

I'd love to see him manage to not only get crushed by Clinton but destroy the Republicans by forcing the hard right to run a third party candidate.

Me, too. But since he's running first among the religious right--ahead of Thompson--I'm less sanguine than you are. Those fundies love them some Giuliani-style authoritarianism, and Rudy is vowing to be even more badass than Bush in the Worldwide Holy War Against the Christ-Denying Infidels.

So far his divorces, adultery, pro-choice position and fondness for pink, lacy apparel don't seem to be bothering these folks too much. Perhaps that would change if he got the nomination and the media woke up--two biggish ifs.

Meow indeed, Teresa! Thanks for that nugget - and it seems about right. Has anyone posted about an incident, I think a couple of years ago, where Rudy absolutely humiliated a woman in the audience who had her cel phone go off? It's made some posting (maybe Josh?). Narcissus Colossus, all right. Of all the Repubs, he (and she) seem most likely to self-destruct.

6th Way? He's really only done it a handful of times, but it makes a good story and besides something has to be done to knock him down so the WSJ candidate Fred Thompson can claw up there?

OR? he's really doin' it. A lot? He crazy.

How long before some enterprising person intercepts and records one of those calls with a scanner? Should make a great youtube.

A call to create a simulitude of the worlds greatest love for a woman, thereby excusing the casting off of his other two wives.

Alternative thoughts:

Is he really talking to anyone during those calls?

Is his wife that clueless about his schedule?

Does his wife not trust him to the extent of constantly requiring a check-in with him?

Is his wife that insanely insecure?

Maybe he needs to pick up a quart of milk on his way home from the convention.

I've known people who like to ostentatiously waste other people's time on their own personal crap, just to show everyone that they are the most important person in the room. I think that's the dynamic at work here.

#7 -- A daily demonstration of his appreciation of the importance of having functional communication equipment?? That would be a real 9/11 reason...

So far his divorces, adultery, pro-choice position and fondness for pink, lacy apparel don't seem to be bothering these folks too much.

Not true. In fact, some are beginning to organize against him.

"Fifth way: He's so enormously full of himself that he doesn't think the ordinary rules of common courtesy apply to him. This strikes me as quite plausible."
-------

Bingo! He probably also *appeals* to the demographic that behaves in the same way, and most disturbingly, this is a very sizable bloc that is likely to vote. He's probably also been told that as well, which encourages him to strive to be the perfect asshole. Maybe, in his mind (and his political consultant's minds) the new "swing voters" for 2008 are the "perfect asshole vote" . So, I would say that: "Second way: He knows it's rude, but has somehow convinced himself that it's a political winner despite the repeated entreaties of his staff. I dunno. I guess it's possible." is my 2nd vote.

I vote for #1. He's ALWAYS struck me as someone who's had next to zero emotional IQ. He doesn't care who he offends, who he upsets, who gets hurt. All that matters to Rudy is Rudy.

Shows strong family values.

Kevin,

The only reason you don't understand is you still have a pre-9/11 mentality.

NYC and NJ are not really rude. I think people who are not from NYC and NJ just perceive it as rude. I usually think New Yorkers are pretty nice. They are pretty cynical though, even compared to New Jerseyans. I think sometimes it's to the extent of having a distorted view of reality, but maybe that perception is more true in NY. I do think there are more assholes in New York, but I don't think it's to an extent that it justifies calling New Yorkers rude. I thought Parisians were pretty rude. It was almost like they were going out of their way to be what they thought New Yorkers were like. New Yorkers kind of don't make eye contact with people when they're walking around, mosttimes-- it's kind of like a common knowledge thing to avoid crazies. So some litle New York quirks like that that can seem rude are just cultural things that arose from when the city was much worse in terms of crime and crazy people on the street. Same thing with New Jersey-- I won't say hi to people walking down the street even if it's a residential street in my own neighborhood. I think that's chaning in recent years, but being "cold" is the background norm. To some outsiders I guess it must seem shocking, but when you live in a location where any given day just going about your business you can see 2,000 people you may never meet again, you really don't say "hi" to everyone you meet. I think especially if you have a big ego and you expect people to be impressed with your presence it can be kind of a culture shock, but I see plenty of examples of people of all types here all the time. Nothing is impressive.

Someone wrote:

How long before some enterprising person intercepts and records one of those calls with a scanner?

Probably that would be the "smokescreen" technique-- have a plant "catch" the call on a scanner and "reveal" that it sounds authentic, to make Giuliani's story sound more plausible. Like Bush being "caught" off-camera- I always suspect catching him cursing about war is intentional.

He already answered this question: 9/11. That is why he always answers the phone.

I realize 9/11 is Rudy's personal tragedy that only happened to him, but his 9/11 explanation is even more insane than what he is trying to explain.

We can speculate all day long about this, but I think it just boils down to this: Rudy's just an assh*le. I can't think of any other plausible explanation.

Same thing with New Jersey-- I won't say hi to people walking down the street even if it's a residential street in my own neighborhood.

That is, unless I know them. Same thing with everybody else. People who say hi are naive outsiders or weirdos.

Sorry for all my typos in last post.

The point about New Yorkers being assholes: let's say 20% of New Yorkers are assholes, and 10% of people somewhere else, like in New Jersey, are assholes, and I'm just pulling those numbers out of thin air. So you can't say that New Yorkers are assholes even though there's a substantial amount more than in other places, because 80% of NYers still aren't assholes. But, it justifies you in saying there are more assholes even if it doesn't mean that "NYers" are rude. Also, it makes for an explanation of other behavior that leads to a perception of rudeness: if the greater number of assholes leads everyone else to adopt defensive behaviors, people may see those defensive, good people as assholes (just like some people see shy people as really obnoxious- when they're really just very sensitive and timid, and have no idea that everyone else can't relate to how they feel at all, or see them as being offensive all the time).

I think it's #2

He's trying to humanize himself, and make himself seem like a really really loving husband.

Also, I think Rudy was so lionized after 9/11 he came to believe that his every personality quirk was charming. This happens to people constantly surrounded by sycophants, like rock stars and dictators.

The lesson is that no man should be given the kind of over the top adulation Rudy got in 2001. It goes straight to their heads.

If 9/11 were a brand of Cigarettes, I guess Giuliani would be the 9/11 man.

I think Giuliani is an NY asshole, but I don't think that explains it.

I think he would know his cell phone manners. Here in NJ we have a few incidents of cell-phone assholism. Mostly it's people showing of their cell phones, showing off their conversations, or (most of all) intentional being rude to show people they think little of them. I don't have a whole lot of experience with NY, but I don't recall seeing any of this there, and the comments above about NYers being generally polite about this sound on the money to me in light of my experience.

>>Why is Rudy polling so well against all of the Dems in California?

I'll field that one. Because most Californians are arrogant, self-important assholes just like Rudy?

Heh.

It's a Maguffin, a bit o'business.

Like when he goes out in drag it's not enough to be in drag (with a really excellent set of make-up), but he also has a very conspicuous beauty spot.

Great guy, in my opinion; not, however, a person I want in political power.

It's the humanizing thing. Ain't gonna work. If Fund's going after him, stick a fork in him. He's done.

7. He is now suddenly serious about family.

This is supposed to fool the 29% nutcase faction that is the GOP's "base."

That is, while we might agree that Giuliani is a dick, I don't think he'd be a dick in this way, in this context.

NYers are a little impatient, sometimes, too. I've been upset and angry w/ how cynical and impatient NYers can be at times. It's like, "Chill out, man." But same thing: I don't think typically it rises to the level of them being dicks just on that score; rather it's just a cultural difference.

I think Rudy knows that cell phones don't work on planes and so Judith wouldn't be able to call him in case of hijack like Barbara Olson. 9/11 changed everything.

when you live in a location where any given day just going about your business you can see 2,000 people you may never meet again, you really don't say "hi" to everyone you meet.

This may be a bit of an exaggeration, but still, I think it's fair to say that in NJ it's extremely common to live in a place where, every day, going about your business, you see at least 50 people who it's very unlikely you will see more than a few times again, much less actually meet and talk to. I'd say that's a conservative description of the phenomenon.

Giuliani/9/11 2008!

He was there! And should another crisis befall our great nation, Rudy will no doubt try to stay in the White House beyond his term like he wanted to do in NYC after 9/11. Because we needed him more than we needed the democratic process, and he knew it!

Just imagine that kind of bold thinking on a national stage! For another eight years!

When in Rome...

Rudy's supporters should learn from Rudy. At his next speach everyone should turn their cell phones ON.

with two failed marriages, already, RUDI-KAZOOTI

knows he can't afford a third one in the middle

of a pres. camp.----- i've got his balls in my

pocket and he knows it.

JUDI-KAZOOTI

Yes, it has to be that 9/11 changed the rules of cell phone etiquette.

Also, 9/11 changed mauve from kind of a gay color, to something really pretty sexy. And it modified some weather patterns over Kansas. Plus, 9/11 changed the insider's favorite food in Bejing.

I'm telling you, 9/11 changed everything.

It makes about as much sense as Rudy taking off his pants or scratching at his crotch because he just wants to be comfortable. We all look at him and he goes, "Huh? What? What's your problem, dude? You need to stop being so uptiiiight."

Rudy would answer his cell phone even while screwing Judy.

And Judy would be the one calling.

At some fundie dinner when this happened Rudy said "I've been married 4 times, I don't want to mess this one up!"

So if that's true... then I guess the answer is: Fourth way: Judy has told him in no uncertain terms that he'd better take her calls 24/7. Rudy is so terrified of her that he's given in on this.

Rudy's a joke.. he's got no chance.

Hey, I take calls from my girlfriend when I'm talking with my friends in the bar... Just not when I'm driving.

What if he took the call deliberately, to change the subject? Instead of "Rudy flip-flops on gun rights," the headlines after the NRA event were about this absurd phone call. (It's a less likely explanation if Giuliani has, in fact, been doing this for a long time.)

And, however creepy or ill-mannered, the calls are a way of semaphoring that he had his wife are close, and given the baggage there, any "spinnable"publicity has to be a plus.

Etiquette is determined by the king,
Rudy determines etiquette
Rudy is king

... or otherwise.

Perhaps wife number three simply assumes that if he doesn't answer the phone that he's fucking someone and therefore has told him to either always answer her calls or experience the unpleasantness of yet another divorce.

Sixth way: Every candidate is running on some variation of "it's a post-9/11 world" and are trying to transform voters' fears into votes.

We already know that Republicans intend to, yet again, run a campaign of fear - it's entirely likely that another hit is going to happen and that Republicans will use it try to sell themselves as the security party while Democrats will use it to try to sell themselves as "we're better at security than the Republicans"

Rudy's taking his wife's phone calls serves two purposes.

One of the purposes is to portray him as a kinder, gentler Rudy (he can't corral his kids for those photo ops).

The second, is almost a subliminal - It's to conjure up the "last phone calls" we heard or remember of 9/11. The phone calls made by those that died from the WTC and the planes, to husbands, wives, parents, telling them what had happened (in the WTC, but told to stay put, or that they weren't in any danger), and in other cases, realizing that they were about to die and telling their loved ones goodbye.

By these staged phone calls with his wife, I think Guiliani is trying to evoke memories of 9/11, but with a twist: "If this was your last moment before you were consumed by a terrorist attack, what would you say to your loved one?" (Answer: "I love you.")

Guiliani is trying to make a lemon meringue pie out of a bushel of lemons (9/11/01). Successful presidential campaigns are always about hope and the future.

The first time Guiliani took a phone call from his wife at an inopportune time, it was probably legitimate and innocent enough. It probably had actually happened. And then I believe that a consultant (or Judy Nathan herself), said, "This is a good gimmick. Let's keep doing it." But, like Hillary's laugh, it's looking contrived, and the fact that the candidates themselves don't realize it, tells us how out of touch they are.

I don't know about you all, but I'm ready for some new candidates.

Can you say - "pussy whipped"?

Never underestimate the power of freakshow politics. This quirk qualifies- it's rude and it's odd. If the freak label sticks, it's a tough rap to shake. Cf. The helmeted Dukakis in the tank or John Dean's scream. There are risks in letting one's freak flag fly- and Rudy's approaching that line.

Glenn Greenwald cites this Chris Matthews' interview with Howard Dean:

DEAN: What Democrats have to do is talk about their values. People vote on values. They don't vote on position papers.

MATTHEWS: No, they vote on personalities.

Greenwald writes: "Agree or disagree with Matthews' particular assessments, it is hard to argue that most political elections in the U.S. are, in fact, decided far more by these personality depictions and cultural signals than by any substantive disputes."

If, in fact, Giuliani lacks an emotional IQ, it will play itself out come election time.

Sixth way: He has total, deserved contempt for his Republican base audience.

There is one more possibility: He is FAKING the phone calls. Heck, anyone can play Bob Newhart talking on a phone. Does anyone actually hear the phone ring? If someone in the audience has Rudy's number and calls it in the middle of a speech, would he even acknowledge the call and look to see who is calling? Very odd that the only phone calls he receives during his speeches are from his wife. Very odd indeed. You mean *noone* else calls him during those time? Sheesh.

Rudy also shows that he himself thinks that neither the content of what he is saying nor the audience he is speaking to, have any validity or importance whatever. In that he may unfortunately be correct.

Be careful what you say about Rooty , his people will visit you in the night and will make you drink castor oil

harry (finger pointed firmly at stray dick) Taking phone calls in public is uncultured? Heck, the last president took blowjobs in the Oval Office, and none of you cared.

Course I'm just going from memory here but AFAIR, Mr. Clinton did indeed kept the blowjob private and wanted to keep it private... it was a certain Kenneth Starr who worked tireously (oh worthy public servant he) to splay the salacious details of the Big Dog getting lips around his stick before the world (a much better image btw than that of Mr. Starr being so engaged - after one or two Doles of Viagra). But had he had Ms. Lewinsky service him in the course of a press conference, you're quite right to note that it would have been something that we all should have taken note of.

I used to work with a boss like this, a woman who crossed all sorts of lines to 'get things' done, and her cell phone behavior was the most obvious extension of that. I've heard it ringing while she's giving presentations (although she didn't answer it, she did pick it up to see who it was) take calls from her family during important meetings, dialed her phone while merging into traffic, made calls from planes in the air, etc.

My theory: Rudy's staff is right. He's really that obnoxious with his cell phone.

Maybe John Aravosis could buy Rudy's cell phone records (just like he did with Wes Clark's)so that we can see if it was Judy who actually called each of those times.

seventh way: it's not his wife calling, it's MARY ROSH!! (if you don't know the name, just google it; you'll learn something about John Fund's integrity.)

having taken my own advice, I'll now shut up & have that 2nd cup of coffee. Disregard previous post!! comment on John Fund's integrity hereby withdrawn!! I'll go away now....sorry for the stupid distraction.

Well Mary Rosh might be John Lott, but re. John Fund there was the thing where he got his ex-girlfriend's daughter pregnant, oh and assaulted her.

In her last conversation with Fund, Pillsbury-Foster says, he asked how she could believe her daughter's lies and repeated his belief that "this is all part of the great liberal conspiracy to get me, because I am the hope of freedom." Rudy would understand.

Well I for one cannot wait for him to take a cellphone call during his first State of the Union Address. It will be a hoot.

Look, it's pretty much impossible to be a serious candidate for the Presidency without being a gold plated jerk, but the trick is to conceal the fact that you are a gold plated jerk. Giuliani is stunningly incompetent in this regard,and thus unqualified. He only was able to become mayor of NYC due to the very particular deficiencies of the Democratic Party in NYC.

I feel safe in saying that pretty much any New Yorker who lived under Hizzoner would pick (5) for sure. Maybe other factors play a role, too, but definitely (5).

No way was it a stunt. Why would he want a roomful of NRA troglodytes hear him say "Yes dear, yes dear" to his ballbusting wife?

A stunning number of people do not understand how rude it is to be obviously more engaged with their electronic gadgets than the other humans in the room, although I admit that when that includes humans who have paid to be there and might possibly be willing to give you more money and vote for you, that's a little harder to understand. I went to a client crisis type meeting with a colleague who spent the entire time checking his "crackberry." I wanted to slink under the desk or melt from embarrassment. Rudy has nothing on him. The difference is that Rudy gets called on it, which is definitely a good thing.

Perhaps it's not Judy checking on Rudy, but Rudy on Judy. Wants to make sure she isn't off with some hunky fireman while Rudy is basking in that eerie base limelight. A staffer should mention to Rudy the hunky fireman could be quiet (or preoccupied) while she called, which would then force him to resort to a video link. Of course, if Rudy held out his phone during a speech and said "show me your boobies", around 100 decrepit base groupies would oblige, resulting in spontaneous hurling among the rest of the audience. Chaos would ensue, and Rudy could take charge once again. Rudy adviser JPod came up with this nefarious plan while simultaneously stratergizing on how to obliterate Iran and sweating the details on how to get someone, anyone, to touch his poor winky.

Well, I think the thing is, those who really know Rudy (New Yorkers and his daughter) wouldn't vote for him. But those who know Hillary (in Arkansas, where she lived for many years) would vote for her (there are polls).

Look, it's pretty much impossible to be a serious candidate for the Presidency without being a gold plated jerk, but the trick is to conceal the fact that you are a gold plated jerk.

So much for your Presidential aspitrations, Will.

something i have seen mentioned-this sort of
cutesy-wutesy behaviour is straight out ron and nancy 1982. remember how hated she was? and they would practically blow kisses to each other
onstage. reagan's people believed (with some
accuracy) that this humanized her and therefore
helped to defuse a political liability for him.

a quirk of the belief system of the
authoritarian psyche--if the Great man has a Great
love, it humanizes him and the harsh things he does. we are then reduced to fan-zine oohing an
awing. if mom and dad are in love then all will be well for us kids.
don't forget that rudy got his start in the first reagan administration. that's where he learned his tricks.

People claim that American politics is bitter and aggressive, but compared to British politics it's amazingly genteel.

If this were the UK and he pulled this stunt, claiming that he takes calls from his wife because of 9/11, one of his opponents would point out immediately and loudly that if it were 9/11 and Judy called, it would not be his wife calling, but his adulterous lover.

Can just envision a nightmarish remake of Strangelove - Only Rudy playing the President talking on the hot line with Putin - While speaking about that "wee" bit of a problem, he says, "Put, Baby, can ya hold a sec, Judy is on the other line"

His wife has told him that calling him is her 911.

This may have been said but:

Maybe he just thinks that it might be his kids calling.

Maybe he just thinks that it might be his kids calling.

For the first time in years, you mean?

Maybe he thinks it's his daughter calling from Barack Obama campaign headquarters.

Mart: Perhaps it's not Judy checking on Rudy, but Rudy on Judy. Wants to make sure she isn't off with some hunky fireman while Rudy is basking in that eerie base limelight. A staffer should mention to Rudy the hunky fireman could be quiet (or preoccupied) while she called, which would then force him to resort to a video link. Of course, if Rudy held out his phone during a speech and said "show me your boobies", around 100 decrepit base groupies would oblige, resulting in spontaneous hurling among the rest of the audience. Chaos would ensue, and Rudy could take charge once again. Rudy adviser JPod came up with this nefarious plan while simultaneously stratergizing on how to obliterate Iran and sweating the details on how to get someone, anyone, to touch his poor winky.

Now that was a truly entertaining riff, what mr. shortstop and I call a mental tea party.

Swan, take note.

Just a question, Kevin--Why is Rudy polling so well against all of the Dems in California?

Most recent head-to-heads I can find from California (from SurveyUSA, polling registered voters):
Clinton-Giuliani 57%-37% 6% undecided
Giuliani-Obama 49%-44% 7% undecided
Giuliani-Edwards 46%-44% 11% undecided

I wouldn't call that polling all that well, and, anyhow, at this point general election polls of RVs (vs., say, primary election polls of "likely primary voters"), are affected a lot by media saturation and low candidate awareness and I wouldn't trust the numbers to be all that meaningful.

Very odd that the only phone calls he receives during his speeches are from his wife. Very odd indeed. You mean *noone* else calls him during those time?

No, I think Giuliani makes use of the Caller ID and distinctive ring features on his phone, and during appearances disables the ring used for everyone but his wife, so if it rings (or vibrates) he knows it is his wife.

As usual, Gregory, you are a master of irony, and a titan of civil human relations.

6. Tooliani is a practitioner of Extreme Bearding.

"vibrates" - Well, perhaps, if the tones for nine and one are repeated rapidly.

Judy's whispering 9-11 into Rudy's ear have certainly hurt Viagra sales.

In California, where are all of those James Dobson voters?

Sixth way: He's cheating again, and Judy is checking up to see that he's where he says he is at all times.

Because what we really need is to have the First Lady thrown out of the White House so President Rudy! can move his mistress in the way he tried to have Donna Hanover and their children thrown out of Gracie Mansion so he could move Judy in.

And yet for our media that still won't be as embarrassing for the country as Bill Clinton getting a blow job but keeping his marriage together.

What's more important than trying to decide which explanation is correct is realizing that NO POSSIBLE EXPLANATION is any damn good.

Where the hell is Maureen Dowd and the rest of the jr. high school media with the "Rudy is p*ssy-whipped" meme?

The guy is running as an authoratarian he-man for the nomination of the "I need a strong daddy" party and no one sees the disconnect that he can't let his wife go to voicemail. That's like a basic "bro's before ho's" kind of wang-worship thing that's a major component of the Republican Id, it's why they are so afraid of Hillary. Rudy's kick'n back beers in the pickup truck with his NRA buddies, and he takes a call from his girlfriend? (Whipcrack sound effect)

It's an unsophisticated, ham-handed means of proving his "family values" to the right wing base.

He's so enormously full of himself that he doesn't think the ordinary rules of common courtesy apply to him. This strikes me as quite plausible.

Bingo.

Somebody needs to send Rudy a 'Hail to the Chief' ring tone, It'll seem more presidential when he does this stunt again.

Ah, true amore - The first Il Duce and his ladies all ended up so well.

#4. The man is whipped.

Stanger beat me to it. I wonder how many calls from Donna Hanover he ignored when he and Judy were holed up in the 'command center'. Judy knows her man and is a tad worried.

I think he wants to show how important "family" is to him. Conservative Christians constantly harp on how everyone should prioritize "family" over their jobs, etc. This shows that his priorities are in what conservatives would call the "right place." I think this entire controversy is conjured up to get this repeated for the "pro-family" types. The man is nothing if not a political opportunist.

You are actually helping him with the Bush base by criticizing him. Right wingers will interpret your aversion to this showmanship as an affirmation that liberals hate family.

Luckily, no one gives a shit what right wingers think anymore.

So are these calls coming in when Rudy is (supposedly) listening to a speech or when Rudy is actually making a speech? They are both rude, but the second is *really* hard to believe.

Does he take calls while banging hookers? I bet that is why Judy makes him answer the damn phone - she found him bent over another woman (or yikes a man? Bernie Kerik is that you?) and ever since wants him accessible 24/7.

Sad pathetic man.

Go watch the disturbing Giuliani drag queen video and it will become abundantly clear why Rudy conspicuously, compulsively reminds people that he is heterosexually married.

And knowing what we do about him, imagine how he'd react if a staff member took a cell call during a meeting with Rudy.