John LeBoutillier
Thursday, June 12, 2003

The problem you have, though – and always have had – is that inside the GOP you are not seen as a true-blue conservative. In fact, your pro-choice, socially moderate-to-liberal philosophies make you a tough choice for Republican conservatives to swallow. True, your exceptional 9/11 performance has made you a bit of a national icon, but much of that 'halo effect' will have worn off by 2008.

Here is a way for you to heal your problem with the Right and also re-enhance your national status: Defeat Hillary for her Senate seat in 2006.

Just think about it: You beat her in 2006 and she can't run for president in 2008. The GOP will be ecstatic to have finally punctured the Clintons' balloon. And you will be seen nationally – not just in New York – as a Giant Slayer. Your political stature will dwarf all other Republicans angling to run for president in 2008, including first brother Jeb Bush.

And forget the old maxim that you have to 'pay your dues' in the Senate for six years before you run for any other office. In your case – eight fantastic years turning New York City around plus your 9/11 leadership followed by the defeat of Hillary – would entitle you to start running for president right away!

The GOP and especially your Achilles' heel – the nominating conservative wing – would embrace you as a hero!

You would be the first Republican to defeat a Clinton since 1980, when then-Gov. Bill Clinton lost his re-election race in Arkansas.

Bush Sr., Dole, Gingrich in the House and Trent Lott in the Senate – not to mention the weak GOP Senate candidate Rick Lazio – all opposed the Clintons, and all lost. You, Rudy, could vault over all of them by beating Hillary in 2006.

Now, some of your advisers are undoubtedly counseling you not to run for the Senate. They are saying, "Why risk losing that race and derailing your presidential ambitions?"

Here is why: You cannot win the GOP presidential nomination as a social liberal. Sure, you are tough on crime and provided strong leadership on 9/11. But you are a thrice-married, twice-divorced pro-choice Catholic who favors gay rights. Do you really believe that GOP primary voters are going to choose you over a real conservative? Or over Jeb Bush when his older brother in the White House is running the GOP?

No, you won't make it.

But if you roll the dice and take on Hillary, it is a no-lose deal for you. Win and you're the new darling of the GOP. You'd be so hot that you may very well win the nomination over Jeb and everyone else. Lose and the party owes you – Big Time – for dirtying her up in what will undoubtedly be the toughest race ever in New York political history. They may even make you the vice presidential choice.

Rudy, if you take this bold step – even if you really don't want to be a senator – you will come out ahead.

You will raise tens of millions of dollars nationally in the snap of your fingers for a race against Hillary. Unlike three years ago when you were sick with prostate cancer, in the midst of a crumbling marriage and running the nation's largest city, you will have your new wife by your side and nothing to distract you from criss-crossing the Empire State as a full-time Senate candidate.

You can beat Hillary, Rudy.

Now comes the key question: Do you want to?

Read more on this subject in related Hot Topics:
Sen. Hillary Clinton

Editor's note:
FBI Agent Gary Aldrich reveals how the Clintons helped cause 9/11 – Click Here Now!