Martin Eisenstadt’s Blog

Can somebody speak honestly here for a moment? With the exception of Rudy, everyone on that stage last night is a clown. Huckabee looks and sounds like Gomer Pyle. Romney is straight out of central casting, as president of the uptight fraternity in Animal House. McCain, I must admit, possesses life gravitas, but he comes across terribly unstable and impatient, not the sort of man you want with a finger on the nuclear trigger. Duncan Hunter was also occasionally intriguing but his close ties with fellow veteran and San Diegoan Randy “Duke” Cunningham and those wild alcohol, prostitutes and contractors parties, could prove damaging down the road.

Which brings us to Rudy, brought up in the rough and tumble of New York ethnic life where he defeats his enemies and rises to the top. A lawyer who actually understands the law and the processes of government, Giuliani sounds human, a rarity in modern politics. (You don’t believe me? Go listen to David Chapelle imitate a white person, then close your eyes and listen to Barak Obama. They’re the same person.)

But for our purposes, listen to Rudy explain a position, and what do you hear? Nuance, intellectual competence. Listen to the other guys answer a question, and it’s like drifting into an episode of the Mouskateers.

My mind is made up. I hope yours is as well.