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Rudy Giuliani Tells Fox and Friends: ‘Ron Paul Is Just A Complete Distraction’

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» 88 comments

Former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani made a quick appearance on Fox and Friends Thursday morning and rattled off his thoughts on almost the entire field of GOP candidates, although he entirely ignored Michele Bachmann and had to be pressed on Mitt Romney.

Giuliani pointed out that he wasn’t supporting any GOP candidate as of right now. He said that he’s known Newt Gingrich for a long time, is close friends with Rick Perry, and is confused as to why Rick Santorum doesn’t do better. While he has a problem with Jon Huntsman‘s foreign policy, he still respects him. He then moved on to Ron Paul.

“Ron Paul, to me,” Giuliani said, “is just a complete distraction.”

The hosts noted that Giuliani hadn’t mentioned Romney. He said he didn’t like how the former Massachusetts governor had gotten negative so early.

“It reminds me of what Mitt did in ’08. He attacked me, he attacked McCain, he attacked Huckabee. Whoever was out front, Mitt would attack — sometimes personal attacks, sometimes these ads about family and all this other stuff. So I think this could be hurting him. This is a Republican primary, they don’t want to see a Republican savaging another Republican.”

Giuliani then got into the work he did with Gingrich in the early 90s, helping with the crime bill at the behest of President Bill Clinton. “I worked with Newt on the crime bill,” Giuliani said. “Newt helped President Clinton pass the crime bill.”

At the end, Giuliani drew the conclusion that it was still a wide-open field. “I don’t see why Newt can’t get elected,” he said. “[But] I wish Perry and Santorum would have more of a chance.”

Watch Giuliani’s entire interview below, courtesy of Fox News:

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  • Anonymous

    Oh Rudy….like you’re any different than Obama, Gingrich or Romney, war and bailouts, bailouts and war.

  • Anonymous

    I guess Giuliani didn’t read the books the good doctor prescribed him last election cycle.

  • Anonymous

    Of course he likes Gingrich.., he is also a member of the multiple wives/ mistresses club.

    He’s just angry because he got schooled in the 2008 debates by Ron Paul.. 

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZGHey7anhI

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgvGnkApe-g

     

  • Anonymous

    …Ron Paul is a distraction?

    Well, then it has to said he’s doing a better job of distracting than the so called front runners and without the benefit of certain TV News Channels.

    ‘…I wish Perry and Santorum would have more of a chance.’ Rudy Giuliani

    They may have had it, but then they lost it, like the previous front runners.

    Agreed, it’s still a wide open field.

    Mitt…tick…Mitt…tock…Mitt…tick…Mitt…tock…

  • The Real Royal Emperor

    Morally, ethically, they are identical.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_EIKKOGUNF4DBJCAOAKBVUWUG3M FREEorDIE

    Rudy the Drag Queen must still be a little salty over Dr. Paul making him look like an uneducated Establishment puppet in 2007/2008.  It’s high-paid political pundits like him who the media uses as a true “distraction” to the People of this country. 

    Rudy couldn’t hold Ron’s old sack, but I’m sure he’d like to.

  • john lee

    No Rudy, the only distraction was your campaign in 07/08.

  • The Real Royal Emperor

    Boy, when Ailes and Sammons send out a memo, everyone falls in line. Wallace, Bill-o, Toes Morris, O’Hannity, Ben-to-Vegas, now Rudy!, Il Dounchey, Gretchen O’Van Karlsen and that Guy With the Black Curly Hair seated next to her …. What gives? When did Dr. Paul become such a threat? Do they expect him to badly divide the vote? Run as an independent? The only thing I know for certain is FOX “News” is wresting its sponsorship of the RNC and mainstream Republicanism back.

  • Anonymous

    You speak from experience, I see.

  • Anonymous

    Giuliani, you mad bro?

  • Anonymous

    List Paul’s positions  on the issues that you support.

  • Lene Danielsen

    Giuliani is yet another Chickenhawk that dodged “serving his country” in the military during the Vietnam War. Isn’t it kind of funny that the biggest supporters of our foreign policy ran with their tails between their legs when called upon to fight in a war that was caused by the very foreign policy they support? At the same time, isn’t it interesting that active and retired military support Ron Paul to be Commander In Chief more than all other candidates combined.

  • Lene Danielsen

    Let’s not forget Giuliani belongs to the same Chickenhawk club.

  • Anonymous

    Yeah, he is just like VP Joe Biden ain’t he?

  • Anonymous

    Guliani is just saying the same thing that the leftwing media said about Paul in the past, but this time, they are pushing Pual because they know he can’t beat Obama.  It is so funny to watch this faux outrage about who is saying what about Paul.

    Morning laughs…thanks mediaite.

  • The Real Royal Emperor

    Indeed, he does.

  • Anonymous

    Yes, I have yet to hear the libs state which  issues they agree on  with Paul.

    Do they agree with his desire to repeal Obamacare? Or his call to end income taxes and capital gains taxes?  Or his call for more oil drilling in the US?  Or his call to repeal the Brady Bill and the Assault Weapons ban?

  • Lene Danielsen

    Ron Paul can beat Obama..

  • The Real Royal Emperor

    No, I won’t do that Nutsofast.

  • Anonymous

    Because you don’t AGREE with ANY of his positions!

    bawahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

    man, what a joke you are- I called your bluff, son!

  • Mo Fokker

    Yes but the other Republican candidates can provide high employment with an economy propelled by huge defense contractors providing munitions and provisions to our soldiers on multiple war fronts.

  • The Real Royal Emperor

    You sense outrage, Tina? Must be projection. My sense is more one of wonderment at:

    1) The fear Dr. Paul is instilling in mainstream Republicans.
    2) The aggressiveness with which FOX “News” is protecting its sponsorship of the RNC.

    I also have a sense of amusement and sense of intrigue over what real conservatives, to the extent we have any left in America, are going to be outraged at FOX “News’” homage to Willard. The same sort of intrigue what has about whether Gladys Hjtmenck will bring a lime and cottage cheese or an orange and Mandarin orange congealed salad to Sunday’s Last Sunday in Advent parish luncheon. The outrage seems to be much more thou and thine.

  • Anonymous

    I think most of them agree on his foreign policy actually. 

  • Anonymous

    ailes memo ftw. 

  • Mo Fokker

    Just once. I would like to see Fox News viewers act with an independent mind, instead of being manipulated by Rush LImbaugh and Fox News.

  • Anonymous

    Wow, they are really worried that an honest man has a chance of getting elected. What swine they are.

  • Anonymous

    you wish

  • Anonymous

    It’s amusing to watch the left pushing Paul.  He doesn’t need any campaign funds!  He just has to stand there.

    Honestly, if it wasn’t so damn transparent, it might be funny.  

  • Anonymous

    and on the economy, on healthcare, abortion,  gun rights,  immigration,  energy, right to work,  unions, taxes, size of government, the unconstitutionality of Social Security and  Medicare/Medicaid, etc?

  • Anonymous

    Name the positions Paul maintains that YOU support.

  • Anonymous

    FOX is really trying to railroad Ron Paul…he has to run third party. 

  • Anonymous

    LOL – I can’t believe the media is so desperate to bring Giuliani out of moth balls! Remember back in 07-08 when the mainstream media (up to the Iowa) had Rudy as the undisputed ‘front runner” – He barely registered in any primary! A complete washout! Ron Paul beat him in percentages every go-a-round! Who cares what Giuliani thinks – he’s the distraction – a complete schmuck!

  • Vinnie971

    Rudy is correct! Ron Paul is a complete distraction from the Big Government platforms that the rest of the candidates adhear to.

    While Romney, Gingrich and crew are providing answers to the same question as is Obama. “What should Government do about X, Y, and Z?”

    Ron Paul is asking a different question. “Should Government be involved in X, Y, and Z?”

    There are two choices, more big government with Romney, Gingrich or Obama…

    …or Limited Government with Ron Paul.

  • Anonymous

    its no different than any other conservative, but his consistency on his principles is what gets the most admiration. Unlike most neocons who waive the constitution but then support almost every policy george bush initiated. 

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_WH3ZLMM7CUKUHUIMK4TKXW6SQE John

    I don’t think I have ever seen network try as hard to destroy and marginalize a candidate as Fox News is trying to do with Ron Paul.  It’s disgusting.  He should really think twice about attending the debate tonight.

  • Anonymous

    I’m still thinking that Rudy may have plans with Trump. One thing for sure, Paul is ten times better than Rudy.

  • http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-sjc1/hs322.snc3/28695_104339339610961_100001046869519_36793_4471129_n.jpg COB™

    Hey it worked for FDR. :OP

  • http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-sjc1/hs322.snc3/28695_104339339610961_100001046869519_36793_4471129_n.jpg COB™

    Show me the poll please…

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Stephen-Blackpool/100000469284961 Stephen Blackpool

    Rudy Giuliani is part of the group of influence peddlers that tried to
    foist the Trans Texas Corridor (a/k/a Nafta Superhighway) on Texas.  Rudy Guiliani and Newt Gingrich are two birds of a feather.

  • Anonymous

    it’s amusing to see the right shun him when he’s the only real conservative on the ballot. 

  • http://twitter.com/Samuel_Bun Samuel_Bun

    I can’t watch the video. Did he bring up 911, if not then he has turned a page in Rudy history.

  • Anonymous

    seriously John, it’s disgusting the phony love fest you are showing for a true libertarian.  

    Remember – you lovers of big government.  Then you wonder why we have zero, nadda, zilch respect for democrats attempts to interfere in the republicans voting of a candidate.  

    Get over yourself – it is disgusting.  

  • Anonymous

    You showed no concern for the dishonest man you picked.  Suddenly you’re holier than thou???? lol

  • Anonymous

    wouldn’t be very independent would it?  You support him – that should be enough.  

  • Anonymous

    perhaps you should look into the difference between a libertarian and a republican.  

    Have you ever heard Jon Stossel???? lol

    you are amusing though, keep it coming…

  • http://twitter.com/LJ0hnstone Lee Johnstone

    Distractions from what exactly?  The primaries that haven’t started?  The only distraction I see is the candidates bending over backwards for the networks and sponsors of the TV debates when they should be out in the primary states doing more meet and greets with the folks who will be voting in the primaries.

    I haven’t seen enough of that this year, not since Bachmann won the Iowa straw poll.  Candidtes need to secure their place as the winner of the Iowa, NH & MC primaries not aiming to be the Fox News, MSNBC, Google or Donald Trump candidate.

  • Anonymous

    Admit it Dan, you and twoeyedwillie above are just praying for Ron Paul to mount a third party run so as to assure Owebumbles a second term, everyone can see thru this.

  • Michael T.

    I found it ironic that Giuliani criticizes Romney’s lack of respect for using the word zany (a simple euphemism for being out of touch) while at the same time he shows no respect for Ron Paul by rudely calling him a distraction.

    Which is worse Rudy? My how the mighty have fallen. You used to illicit so much respect. Now you’re remembered more (in some quarters) for your ties to corrupt and imprisoned felon Bernie Kerik.
     

  • Anonymous

    Yeah, but then what?

  • Anonymous

    Love and miss George W Bush compared to Owebumbles.

  • Anonymous

    The Emperor has no brains.

  • Anonymous

    The number of Fox programs that are dissing Ron Paul is quickly approaching the poll numbers of Romney.  

    I have no time for Paul in general, but I didn’t need to get a memo to dismiss him.

  • Anonymous

    Do any of you snarling angry people think it is odd that your scary news channel seems so intent on telling you that Dr. Paul doesn’t matter? It is just amazing that he’s a man who is polling 3rd in Iowa yet the main conservative news operation in America is so against him?

    Or would thinking about that distract you guys from watching for creeping Sharia and your Hoveround races?

  • Anonymous

    Did you miss your daily Fox News dose?  They’ve been after him more than anyone else.  The rest of the conservative press has been all over the fact that Gingrich is toxic.  You know, that thing that Romney calls “the print”.  Do you ever tire of being a simpleton?

  • Anonymous

    Well yes, the Fox repubs consider Paul a possible threat to upset the apple cart or go third party so they are trying to diminsh his poll numbers. Of course nothing would make Paul consider a third party run like Newt winning the GOP, and he getting dissed.

  • Anonymous

    I said conservative not republican. Might want to look into the difference. 

  • The Real Royal Emperor

    Very well put. As usual. Thank you.

  • http://twitter.com/TommyBennett Tom Bennett

    Guiliani has the personality and intellect of an insect

  • Charles Ulysses Feney

    Rudy is still cashing Chinese checks from the WTC steel evidence he destroyed.

  • Charles Ulysses Feney

     The Neocons are terrified.  The see the ocean running out, and they know the Ron Paul Tsunami is coming very soon!

  • Charles Ulysses Feney

    Rudy, the FAT drag queen….

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Jj-Wisniewski/100002654075475 Jj Wisniewski

    Rudy, you’re freakin dellusional. Americans are tired of you neo-cons. We have no business being anywhere in the Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia or the 50,000 troops who are still in Germany, 20 years after the end of the cold war. You’re just afraid that America is finally hearing the truth from someone other than a liberal.  

  • Anonymous

    So someone actually running for President is a distraction, while you pretending you might maybe is not? So apparentely Rudy asserting his thoughts  is not a distraction, while people actually running for office are.

  • http://twitter.com/ZonaCumia Zona

    How many on the right came out against Ron Paul yesterday?  Hannity, Rush, this idiot.  Its like there was a memo and they followed instructions to the T.  Wow.

  • Anonymous

    I love Mayor Giuliani, but people are taking Mitt’s “zany” comment completely out of context. Mitt was responding to the following question from an NYT reporter: “Is there some worry that as president, should he [Gingrich] win, there might be some zany things coming from the oval office?”

    Zany wasn’t his choice of words. He was responding to what he was asked. See the 3:15 mark of the following video: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/15/us/politics/changing-tack-romney-calls-gingrich-zany.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss

  • Anonymous

    Because the news of the day was that he’s begun polling moderately well in Iowa, and commentators generally respond to the news of the day. Dimwit.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=502079117 Mark Wharton

    I think that is an underestimate…

  • glass slipper

    Ending the foreign wars. Ending the drug wars. Ending foreign aid. Ending the FED.

    That is just for starters.

  • Anonymous

    No I hope Trump will run 3rd party so that blowhard will be humiliated even more.

    If you can’t see the organized effort to discredit and hurt Paul that Fox “News”  is participating in your partisan goggles are on to tight.

  • http://twitter.com/ISHFOOKOO Michael Fischer

    Rudy is such a douche bag!  You can tell the establishment is really shook up about yesterday’s new polling results. I even heard some idiot say that whomever comes in 2nd in Iowa is the real winner. Ha, can you believe that?

  • Anonymous

    I showed my concern by looking at both candidates and voting for the one I believed was best. It’s not my fault the GOP couldn’t find a decent candidate.

    Unfortunately it looks like the same thing is going to happen again because you don’t seem to care if Fox aides whoever is deciding that RP is doing to well and needs to be taken down. 

  • Anonymous

    poor dan.  Worrying his pretty little head over the republicans.  Who knew?

  • Anonymous

    Ron Paul is not perfect, people do not agree with everything he says, but he is by far the better choice than any republican or democrat right now, and again your comments are so dull, all you can say is libs this libs that, get over yourself. You sound just like a typical republican puppet. All these candidates would do things people dont agree with but if you want to compare everyone fairly Ron Paul wins, especially with people who are not so one sided and people who are more open minded.

  • Anonymous

    Good chance Gulianni is gunning for vice president with Newt.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/David-Edwards/588445226 David Edwards

    This video should have been cut shorter. Perhaps a few sentences after GUillian said Paul was a Distraction. I think the highlight of the discussion is Rudy Guilani calling Palestine a Terrorist state. 

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_45S32GWGDRUJIL6E2U4HOZW4BM Bob

    Rudy’s still mad that his much-hyped, but ultimately disastrous 2008 run received less delegates than Paul’s campaign of that year.

  • Philip Petracca

    the neocons are on the attack… lol – every time they try and bash Ron Paul, he gains support…   I had a friend that was on the fence and once he heard Gulianni make that comment, he called me and said, ‘I’m on board with Ron Paul, if that neocon Gulianni is against him, I’m for him”

    Keep up the good work neocons!  The country is sick of the wars and sick of you!

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Shane-Hills/100000760796968 Shane Hills

    Rudy has profited off of fear, because he’s been in the business of “security.”

    He’s also gotten some mistress ladies of the night to help him around the office. 

    Rudy is an immoral man. Ron Paul has moral integrity, which offends Rudy. 

  • http://twitter.com/philoec Nora Smith

    Silence, Giuliani!!!
    Giuliani has to look after his “equally yolked” buddy!
    Devout Catholics(?) Giuliani and Gingrich left their wives for younger women! Even though they know they’re too old men, but power/money can buy young women. Well, Newt switch religions when found the new wife, perhaps he’s pursuing good after the conversion…, what it matters is his record -personal & public.
    Dr. Ron Paul has the strength to tolerate the same woman for decades! That is MORAL!!!!
    The ability to follow God’s commands!
    RONPAUL2012!!!!

  • Anonymous

    I worry about my country and my fellow citizens regardless of ideology. I don’t have to agree with someone on everything to respect honesty and consistency. Especially when it’s such a sharp contrast to the other candidates. 

  • http://www.facebook.com/Dollymaniac Mark Raymond Cubbage

    It’s more like campaign contributions, not a poll.

  • jedijones77

    Great to see Rudy coming out and sticking up for Newt. We need an experienced, conservative problem-solver in the White House to clean up B.O.’s mess. Romney is far less electable than Newt and has had none of Newt’s outstanding policy accomplishments. Nominate Romney and the election becomes about his flip-flopping and about his hundreds of millions dollars earned sometimes on the back of laid-off workers. Nominate Newt and he will take the fight directly to B.O. The election will be about the issues and how vastly different Newt’s principled conservatism is to B.O.’s radical socialism.

  • Anonymous

    Every FAUX clip on here today is anti Paul.
    Seems like a talking point…………………………..again…………………………..everyday really……………..

  • Anonymous

    Wow. Never expected to see Newt, and principled, in the same sentence.

    I did a “Spit Take”……………….Kudos

  • Anonymous

    For crying out loud, it’s OBVIOUS that Giuliani is in the tank for Gingrich.
    Come on, do you HONESTLY believe he just “forgot” to mention Romney till pressed?

    Plus, as Nando Di Fino recaps in the article (quote): “He said he didn’t like how the former Massachusetts governor had gotten negative so early”, which is total B.S.  Even the Fox commentators who hosted last night’s debate…Baer, Wallace, Cavuto, and Kelly…AND even Hannity afterward…ALL noted that Romney was playing the nicest and NOT going negative (in comparison to how the others were acting). In fact, across the board, they ALL praised and cited Romney as being the one candidate who stayed the most focused on Obama.

    Besides, Giuliani shows his true colors (ie. bitterness) the minute he says (quote): “It reminds me of what Mitt did in ’08. He attacked me…”

    Well, no offense, Rudy — as a born and bred New Yorker, I appreciate what you did on 9/11, where I think you genuinely had a shining moment. On the other hand, Mitt picking on you in ’08 was simply part of the game (and it’s not like you didn’t pick on him back, by the way). Plus, you pretty much proved you weren’t Presidential material when you thought it was (1) a genius idea to ignore Iowa and all the early Republican primaries, to instead put ALL your eggs in the Florida basket.

    Not to mention (2) going on Saturday Night Live in drag.
    Yeah, really great “Presidential” move there, Einstein!

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/David-Edwards/588445226 David Edwards

    blah blah blah 

  • swiuv davis

    Rudy put all his eggs in 1 basket. He was counting on New Hampshire and Florida. Just like how Newts counting on South Carolina, Bachmann and Santorum are counting on Iowa, Huntsman`s counting on New Hampshire. Rick Perry is also counting on Performing well in Iowa. Ron Paul and Romney are the only ones that have had campaign Headquarters open in All the early states since August. This week they opened up more HQs for the super Tuesday states. If your counting on one states, You just need to save money and drop out.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Pablo-Schwartz/100000482256741 Pablo Schwartz

    what exactly is Giuliani’s claim to fame?  oh, he happened to be Mayor of New York when his city was attacked, courtesy of our former Wahhabi allies against the Russians. 

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