It seems like he is finally back-tracking. But America, meet the Rudy Giuliani that New Yorkers were all too familiar with. You may have noticed his standard method operandi is only one way, and that is to relentlessly attack some more.
Granted, former elected officials try to stay relevant when they leave office, and to stay in the public eye, this means from time-to-time engaging in political theatrics on television with inflammatory comments. Democrats do it. Republicans do it. Independents do it.
If ever there was a case to illustrate this point, look at the actions of this one-time failed presidential candidate. I know Giuliani well, having moderated live TV shows with him, and shared personal and private time with him in the basement City Hall apartment for New York's Chief Executive. But "America's Mayor," broadside against President Obama is giving new meaning to the term attack-mode.
What makes matters worse? Giuliani said Obama has been under Communist influence since age 9. Then in classic Giuliani form, there was more, via CNN:
"There's a real attempt to make it a racial criticism. It has nothing to do with race," Giuliani said, pointing out that "he was brought up by the way by a white mother and white grandparents."
Rudy is a workaholic, but maybe its time for a vacation.
This all started at a New York dinner for Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker on Wednesday, a potential GOP presidential contender. Mr. Giuliani said that the Democratic president does not "love America."
"He doesn't love you. And he doesn't love me. He wasn't brought up the way you were brought up and I was brought up through love of this country," Mr. Giuliani said.
Just weeks ago, Giuliani also found himself on the defensive when he took on the issue of black-on-black crime. It is this writer's strong opinion, on that occasion, political correctness may not have been in his corner, but Giuliani was correct with his assessment. This time I ask you. Did he go too far?
Democrats charged Rudy with playing the race card.
Mr. Giuliani told several media outlets, that, in his opinion, "as an American citizen, that our president does not emphasize enough his love of America. He emphasizes his criticisms of America, which was created an impression that he doesn't love America enough -- I don't mean that as a psychological analysis."
The chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, dismissed Mr. Giuliani and tried to connect him to the rest of the potential 2016 Republican presidential candidates.
Investigative Journalist Wayne Barrett wrote a New York Daily News column that severely attacked Giuliani's personal life.
As far as the president's heritage, his grandfather served in World War II while his grandmother worked on a B-29 assembly line.
As a journalist that closely covered Giuliani's tenure in New York, Giuliani's flare for not backing down, and speaking out was often refreshing for those of us that covered him. This is the same mayor that in a State of the City Address, on the second floor of City Hall, who vowed in frustration that the city school system should be "blown up."
I call this: "Rudy being Rudy."
Let's not forget, Giuliani as mayor of New York City was highly polarizing, though he did clean the city up. Giuliani goes in attack-mode, full throttle, and this time, he was not winning in the court of public opinion.
I too, join you Giuliani as millions of Americans do, in wishing President Obama would use the term "Muslim Terrorists." But to question Obama's patriotism was a low blow.
And maybe, just maybe, Rudy is getting the message.
This is what Giuliani said on Sunday in a Wall Street Journal op-ed:
"My blunt language suggesting that the president doesn't love America notwithstanding, I didn't intend to question President Obama's motives or the content of his heart. My intended focus really was the effect his words and his actions have on the morale of the country, and how that effect may damage his performance."
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.