Plum Crazy

Wow, this is a surprising number: Hillary Clinton is not just beating Rudy Giuliani in his home state — and her adopted state — of New York, but is trouncing the former Mayor by over 20 points in a new poll. The survey, released today by Crain's New York Business, finds that Hillary is beating Rudy 53%-32%.

I have to disagree with Eric Kleefeld. It's not a surprising number at all. As a New Yorker, I find this eminently unsurprising. New Yorkers are very familiar with Rudy Giuliani and his flaws. Before 9/11, Rudy's popularity had decreased significantly. He wasn't a particularly liked mayor.

Many New Yorkers who are fans of Rudy as Mayor think he'd make a horrible President. People outside New York don't realize how obnoxious he really is. While a lot of New Yorkers may think this is a fine quality in the Mayor of New York City, those same people don't think it's a fine quality in the President of the United States. We really don't think it's a swell idea to have a man who is more likely than not to refer to the French Ambassador as a "mewling baby" or the like. Rudy has a long history of running off at the mouth, insulting people, and generally not knowing when to shut the hell up. Not good Presidential qualities.

Not to mention that he has no taste for dissent. He wasn't regularly called Benito Giuliani for nothing. I think a lot of New Yorkers would prefer a President who is willing to consider opposing viewpoints. Giuliani is not that man. His general style of leadership consists of: "Do it." "I told you to do it." "You're fired."

As for Mike Bloomberg's single digit results, no shock there. Bloomberg is easily one of the most uninspiring politicians New York has seen in my lifetime. He may be an excellent businessman, but his public speaking abilities make Al Gore seem like Mr. Excitement.

Via Eschaton.