Giuliani Cronyism: Bernard Kerik

Rudy Giuliani, a liberal in Republican clothing, has promised that, as President, he will appoint strict constructionist judges. Although he is pro-abortion, pro-gun, anti-gay and has questionable family values, he winks and says trust me, I’m a 9/11 hero. Not so fast. Let’s take a look at the kind of person he can be expected to appoint. It’s a c-word all right, but it’s not “constructionist.” It’s “crony.”

A year before the 9/11 attacks, Rudy Giuliani appointed his pal Bernard Kerik to the coveted position of New York City Police Commissioner. The mayor’s cabinet was shocked, with half of them being against this unmerited gift. You see, the possession of a college degree was required for this position. But that wasn’t necessary for Giuliani’s little crony. It seems that having served as Rudy’s bodyguard and driver was enough to become Police Commissioner. Heck, that might even make him overqualified to oversee more than 40,000 officers and a 3.2 billion dollar budget.

Kerik served with distinction during 9/11. He even had time to set himself up a cozy little love nest, conveniently located right next to ground zero. Partying it up with Judith Regan and other girlfriends right next to where the terrorists had opened a gaping wound upon America. A man of compassion, or is it passion? Good judgement or bad? Tasteless to be sure.

His three month stint as Interim Minister of the Interior in Iraq is nothing to write home about. Actually he was having his home remodelled while he frolicked in Iraq. About Kerik, John McCain had this to say:

“I don’t know Mr. Kerik. I do know that I went to Baghdad shortly after the initial victory and met in Baghdad with (Ambassador Paul) Bremer and (Lt. Gen. Ricardo) Sanchez. And Kerik was there. Kerik was supposed to be there to help train the police force. He stayed two months and one day left, just up and left.”

So what exactly did he do?

“One of the reasons why we had so much trouble with the initial training of the police was because he came, didn’t do anything and then went out to the airport and left.”

So well connected was this man, that Kerik was even nominated by President Bush to be the Head of Homeland Security! This was, of course, based on a very strong recommendation from the man behind the crony, Rudolph Giuliani. But he withdrew his name when it was revealed that he employed an illegal as a nanny. Nanny nanny no no. But that was just the tip of the iceberg.

Giuliani’s crony was recently arraigned on charges of conspiracy, mail fraud, wire fraud and lying to the IRS. How far the man who has made a fortune on tasers (some $6.2 million) has fallen. Rudy’s very own crony. How proud he must be.

You can be sure that there would be more Keriks in a Giuliani Administration. New York survived it. But would America? Do we take the risk? Between his liberal views and his poor judgement giving shady folk plum appointments, Rudy Giuliani is not the man we need in the White House. Not now. Not ever.

Update: It’s good to be the crony.

The New York Daily News asked Guiliani Thursday whether he’d consider pardoning Kerik if he’s elected and Kerik’s convicted. Giuliani’s answer: “It wouldn’t be fair to ask that question at this point.”

Fantastic.  It wouldn’t be fair to cast a vote for Giuliani either.

— Psycheout

Tags: Bernard Kerik, cronies