CAPE MAY — A large American flag hung behind a wooden podium, the bright green lawn filled with white folding chairs, and campaign members in navy blue suits flooded the Congress Hall grounds Monday as Republican presidential hopeful Rudy Giuliani made a campaign stop in Cape May.
The speaking engagement was touted a fundraiser for local republicans Senator Nicholas Asselta, and assembly candidates Michael Donohue and Norris Clark, billed a “Tribute to Heroes” — a community salute to the courage and sacrifice of police, firefighters, and EMS teams. Though members of local squads were in attendance, as well as an estimated 1,000 supporters and curious others, Giuliani made no mention of the men in uniform during his ten-minute speech.
Asselta, Donahue, and Clark joined Giuliani on the stage as he spoke and the former New York City mayor opened by addressing the men beside him, “You’re all going to win.”
“We’ve got a big election this November,” Giuliani told the crowd. “Let’s make sure you vote for the Senator, the entire Republican team.”
Asselta, Donahue, and Clark face Democratic opponents Jeff Van Drew, Nelson Albano, and Matt Milam.
“I am running for president because I think this country needs very strong, determined, leadership,” Giuliani told the crowd. “The election this November will be a very important part of that.”
Giuliani opened with mention of his love of the New York Yankees, recognizing Philadelphia sports fans in the crowd saying he’d like to see a Philadelphia New York World Series, before touching on campaign issues, including his stance on Iraq, competition with Democratic Senator Hillary Clinton, and how he would handle a nuclear Iran.
Giuliani mentioned Democratic candidates’ promise of spending, noting he reduced taxes 23 times in New York City.
“Hillary and the rest of the Democrats are for tax increases, I’m for tax decreases,” Giuliani said.
He offered a vague position on the War in Iraq, saying “We’re going to need a president who remains on offense on terrorist war against us. People say to me what is your goal in Iraq. You know what my goal in Iraq is — Victory.”
Giuliani went on to criticize Senator Hillary Clinton for indecisive answers in response to a debate question regarding his own position on Iran.
“You can’t be on both sides of the issue when the issue is, are you going to protect America or not,” Giuliani said. “You either make a decision or you don’t make a decision. Iran is too irresponsible, Iran is too dangerous to allow them to become nuclear.”
The New York native made several mentions of the importance of the Republican victory on the local level in November and the importance of support from the state for his campaign.
“We need a Republican candidate who the day after the convention, is not going to close down the office in New Jersey,” Giuliani said. “You know who that candidate is, it’s me. And you know who’s going to elect me president of the United States — the state of New Jersey.”
Contact Gillin-Schwartz at (609) 886-8600 Ext 24 or at: mschwartz@cmcherald.com.
