Giuliani...The Breast Policy Enforcer?
by Kate Kahn - 07th November 2007
Two articles last weekend about presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani pose a frightening pattern of lack of follow through when it comes to knowing all the facts about issues. They made me wonder where the hec we’ll be if Giuliani becomes president and has to make decisions that affect public policy. Specifically, there are several issues concerning feeding babies and mothers’ rights that should and could come to the forefront on a federal level. I’ve discussed them before (extended maternity leaves, breastfeeding in public, private pumping places in the workplace, tax incentives for businesses that step up to the plate, the right of a woman to be provided with all the information regarding feeding options while in the hospital etc). To the point…I’m concerned that Giuliani would make his decisions on these issues not knowing all the facts. Judge for yourself.
The first article I’m referring to was in The Boston Globe. The article talks about a radio ad that Giuliani is airing in New Hampshire comparing the healthcare system in the U.S. to the socialized model used in the U.K. In the ad Giuliani postulates that when it comes to prostate cancer, chances of survival are about double in the U.S. compared to England (based on research by a doctor who advises his campaign). ABC news looked into it and challenged the ad. According to the article, the network “citing contradictory statistics from the British government, …accused Giuliani of ‘fuzzy healthcare math,’” leading respected Globe writer, Brian Mooney, to write the presidential candidate uses “a single, misleading and outdated statistic” to substantiate his point. When asked about it, a Giuliani spokesperson told ABC news “the campaign did not attempt to independently verify the information.”
The second article appeared in The New York Times. It highlights how Giuliani’s loyalty to a friend cost him credibility. Back in 2004 President Bush nominated Bernard Kerik to be chief of Homeland Security. He did so largely based on Giuliani’s recommendation. (Under Guiliani’s term as mayor, Kerik, a business partner and friend of Giuliani, was appointed New York Police Commissioner.) Seven days after President Bush nominated him, Kerik withdrew is name after questions arose questioning his lobbying efforts as a public official on behalf of a construction company “suspected of links to organized crime.” !!!!!
When asked about this, Giuliani first said he had not been informed about Kerik’s relationship with the construction company. But, when it came to testifying before a grand jury, he amended his story, saying that neither he or nor his aides could remember being told about Mr. Kerik’s involvement with the company but he admitted the city’s investigations commissioner….had told him that he had been briefed at least once.” That’s back-pedaling if I ever saw it. A subsequent review of the commissioner’s diaries and notes have revealed that Giuliani was indeed briefed and chose to ignore the information as he pushed Kerik for a crucial government position.
My point with all of this? These incidents (and these are just two that we know about) highlight Giuliani’s lack of judgment, his disregard for facts, and his willingness to use information without substantiation. That’s frightening.
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