Enter The 9-11 Candidate

More than any political leader not named Bush, Rudy Giuliani is a walking, breathing symbol of the post-9/11 world.   When people see Rudy, who among them doesn't  think about that tragic day, the planes slamming into the towers, the towers collapsing and a shocked, grief stricken city and nation in need of healing.  Mayor Giuliani was a man finishing out his term, still well-thought of for his contributions to New York, but not as popular as he had once been.   Then came that fateful day.  Smoke billowing upward and tears streaming downward.  Uncertainty and fear gripped our hearts and suffocated our confidence as we watched the spectacle repeated over and over on our televisions.  What manner of evil had befallen us?  Was it over?  If not, when would it end?  What were we to do? 

Into the void of uncertainty, angst and fear stepped Rudy.  He was calm and deliberate as he took charge on the streets of the great city -- his city.  Any fear or worry he might have himself been feeling went unseen by the the rest of us, and we appreciated that.  We weren't aware of our appreciation, but we appreciated his strength nonetheless.  We drew from his strength and example.  He communicated control, awareness and competence as he came before the cameras to update New Yorkers and the rest of us about what was happening and how the city was responding to the crisis.  It was Rudy who appeared on Saturday Night Live, not long after the tragedy, and told a country still in shock and mourning that it was alright to laugh again.  It was Rudy who was so visible at the 2001 World Series, rooting on his beloved Yankees and walking onto the field with manager Joe Torre after the Yankees won a game.  Whether he knew it or not at the time, he was reminding us that life goes on and we are best off going with it.           

There have since been ups and downs in the Global War On Terror, but throughout the struggle there has always been Rudy -- with his infectious smile and confident demeanor.  He has in the truest sense become America's Mayor.  He didn't seek this designation, but, as the saying goes, had it thrust upon him.    
The man who didn't seek his fame but wore it with class and dignity is likely to seek the presidency.  It is a fitting thing that he should do so. September 11, 2001 and Rudy Giuliani are inextricably linked by fate, with the former giving birth to the latter.  Without 9-11, the chances of Rudy Giuliani surviving a Republican primary were, to be kind, less than zero.  A socially liberal New York Republican does not have much appeal to socially conservative Republican primary voters.  But history has a way of matching a man and a moment, and when a nation is at war it's citizens seek out a warrior.  With national security issues ascendant, the prospect of a Giuliani presidency seems to appeal to Republican primary voters if one chooses to believe the polling data.  Rudy therefore has an opening where one wouldn't exist had we not been attacked by perpetrators of violence and destruction.  He looks like he is inclined to determine whether or not destiny is really calling.

I certainly don't know what will come of Rudy's quest, particularly whether the import of what he symbolizes will in the end insulate him from those voters who would normally look askance at some of his positions on social issues.   I'm sure of one thing, however, and that is that the Republican Primary will be better for having him in it.  Who knows, perhaps in the end the nation will elect to confer it's living, breathing post-9/11symbol with the call to lead us in a dangerous and challenging post-9/11world.  Somehow, that just seems like it would be fitting.