Giuliani: Washington has on its poker face
(CNN) – Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani said he expects the power players in Washington to wait until the final hours of negotiations to strike a deal on the debt ceiling.
"That's a good strategy for both sides," Giuliani told reporters Thursday at an event hosted by the Seacoast Republican Women in Hampton, N.H. "That's what a good poker player does."
The White House and Congress are battling over a deficit-reduction plan to keep the government from defaulting on its loans by Aug. 2.
While Giuliani encouraged Republicans to be flexible on spending cuts, he said tax increases should be out of the picture, calling the idea "a massive disaster for this economy."
The former mayor is traveling through New Hampshire this week as he contemplates a run for the White House-a decision he said he'll have by the end of summer, though he didn't specify a date.
Giuliani also took the opportunity to blast Obama on the economy, saying the president's policies are to blame for the lagging recovery.
"How much worse can the president be in dealing with our economy? There's been no president, including President Jimmy Carter, who's done worse handling the economy," Giuliani said.
Among other decisions, the former mayor especially faulted the 2009 stimulus package as a major mistake by Obama's administration. When asked if he would have accepted stimulus money as mayor of New York, Giuliani said he would have "absolutely" rejected the funds.
"And if I were in Congress I would have voted against it," Giuliani said. "And if I was the president, I would have never even thought of it."
During a speech at the event, Giuliani said should he run for president, he would change his campaign style from his previous bid in 2008. Last time, the Republican candidate was often criticized for not making enough appearances in New Hampshire.
What Giuliani regrets, though, is the way he handled those appearances, saying he organized them like presidential press conferences with too much hype. He said that instead of being introduced before a speech, he would walk into a room with music and leave with music blaring, as well.
"People were all unnerved, saying 'Why does he think he's so damn important?'" Giuliani said.
If he had a second chance, the former mayor said he would take a more down-to-earth approach and have honest dialogue with voters.
"Let them tell you what they really think," Giuliani said. "And tell them what you really think."
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Rudy you should ask your sidekick Bernie Kerik about poker faces. Kerik is in federal prison and was your top political ally as Mayor. You may want to ask this convicted criminal if he helped Murdoch spy on 9/11 victim families while you exploited a national tragedy for political gain.
I guess poker face is better than the Cross Dresser faces you put on!!
and anyone is supposed to care what you think Ghouliani? Go ahead and join in the freak show that is currently the GOP field. They need more nutcases
I can think of another president who did a far worse job on the economy.George little boy bush.
Mr. 9/11 strikes again! Go back to obscurity you hasbeen.
UGH! This isn't a freaking poker game, Giuliani! He'd be long forgotten by now but for the fact that he just happened to be mayor when NYC was hit on 9/11.
What? No mention of 911? ol' Rube Gooberani must be slipping!
I love Rudy and I want him to run!
Oh Rudy Rudy Rudy. . . tut tut tut. . . blah, blah, blah!!!
Stick to being the former Mayor of New York City! Wouldn't you rather have that legacy than the pitiful record you are amassing on the national stage.
Rudy –
This is not poker. The GOP trying to bluff the President has but the Social Security checks of Seniors & the pay of Soldiers at risk of delay. That's what I'd expect from a bunch of lazy, do nothings that make $3,400 PER WEEK. [Under last year's Democratic leadership Congress had passed 466 bills by this time, Jan-to-July. What's performance been like under Boehner? 166 bills]
If it was a game though, the President would be schooling those scholars in the GOP cause I see CHECKMATE in 3 moves!
not whne one the Democrats don't know what the hell they're doing. If I was the Republicans I wouldn't play with them. i'd give them a plan and tell them to go with it or else forget them in their negoiations.
Now that Mr. 9/11 (but we were never attacked during the shrub's administration) has spoken all's well with the world.
He, once again, forgot that bush's economy was the worse in decades! The DOW has gone from 7,000 to over 12,000 during the present administration.
I wonder what these rethugs are smoking because it seems to be really potent and completely wipes out reality. There's that word again "reality" after you reload on some reefers.
I find it amazing that G W Bush would not be in his list of presidents who had the worst economy!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Typical Redumblican!!!
Bush had surplus when he entered office --his wars he created were not paid for--and millions of jobs were lost under him....I find it amazing that the rich don't step up to the plate and help out here. Guliani's comments were not worth noting.......
The more Cantor fudges on a deal with the economy the more money he makes off his bonds. Wonder how many are making $$ while playing the game of NO.